Ducks crash the party, beat Huskies 34-17

With magic in the air and electricity filling the stadium, the story book ending that was supposed to be written in the final chapter of Husky Stadium was spoiled by a team that was simply bigger, faster and better than the Washington Huskies.

With members of the Huskies’ 1991 national championship team watching on the sideline, including former coach Don James and Outland trophy winner Steve Emtman, the sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks rolled into Montlake and continued their dominance over Washington with a 34-17 win.

“Unfortunately, offensively we didn’t perform well enough to win,” UW coach Steve Sarkisian said. “You can’t have three turnovers, you can’t have six sacks. You can’t give a team like Oregon short fields and expect to beat them.”

It was Oregon’s eight consecutive win over the Huskies. The Ducks will now travel to Stanford next weekend with the Pacific-12 Conference North title on the line. Washington will have to regroup and face a good USC team in Los Angeles.

But another loss to the Ducks won’t be easy to forget, particularly on such a historical night.

And just as has been the case in many of those eight losses, the Washington defense had its struggles. Oregon rolled up 381 yards of total offense, despite not playing particularly crisp. In the third quarter, where the Ducks seemingly put away teams in every game – outscoring opponents 109-54 coming in – Oregon’s offense was at its best.

Holding a 17-10 halftime lead, the Ducks got the ball to start the second half, and put together a cold and efficient 12-play, 90-yard drive that resulted in a Kenjon Barner 1-yard touchdown run. Each of the Ducks’ first four plays of the drive went for 12 yards or more. Working with no huddle, Oregon needed just 2 minutes and 31 seconds to score.

Sensing a shootout was brewing, Washington answered with its own touchdown-scoring drive. Rugged running back Chris Polk did the work early, carrying six times. Freshman Bishop Sankey’s 19-yard burst helped set up a Keith Price 10-yard touchdown pass to Kasen Williams in the corner of the end zone. The talented freshman made a brilliant catch, leaping and grabbing the ball while keeping his toe inbounds.

But Oregon wasted no time coming back with a touchdown of its own. Facing a third down and nine, quarterback Darron Thomas hit all-conference tight end and former Auburn Riverside standout David Paulson on a 34-yard pass over the middle to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, freshman De’Anthony Thomas scooted in from nine yards out.

Now a full fledge scoring fest, it would come down to which defense would get off its heels or which offense would slip up first.

Down 31-17, Washington had the ball at midfield and was forced into a fourth-down and four. Sarkisian elected to go for it, but the play never materialized. Price was engulfed by the pass rush and flung the ball to Polk, who had no chance to make a play and was stopped for a 3-yard loss.

Oregon capitalized on the turnover, marching down to the 8-yard line before having to settle for a 35-yard field goal from Alejandro Maldonado.

But as the third quarter came to an end, the damage had been done, with the Ducks ahead 34-17.

Washington simply didn’t have enough time or possessions to answer.

The Oregon defense, often overlooked because of the team’s potent offense, was solid for most of the game.

The Ducks overwhelmed the Huskies offensive line, holding Washington to a season-low 278 yards of total offense.

Polk was held to 80 rushing yards on 24 hard-fought carries. Price completed 24 of 35 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. But his two first half interceptions both led to Oregon touchdowns. The sophomore quarterback was hampered by a constant pass rush and sacked him six times.

“I thought our D-line really created a lot of pressure,” Ducks coach Chip Kelly said. “We knew with such an efficient quarterback like (Price), we knew that was the big thing for us … get pressure with our front. Those guys did a great job. They were all over the place.”

The problems were apparent early as Price was picked off on the Huskies’ first possession of the game after being flushed from the pocket.

Oregon looked poised to turn the game into a track meet, needing just three plays as running back LaMichael James broke free for a 21-yard touchdown.

But neither team really could find much of an offensive rhythm.

Price’s second interception led to a field goal, while a fumble by Oregon quarterback Thomas led to an Erik Folk 38-yard field goal for UW.

Washington squandered chances throughout the game, dropping four passes and fumbling late.

Even though Oregon’s offense was far from perfect, it did amass 212 yards rushing with James going for 156 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Thomas threw for 169 yards and a touchdown.

“We had our opportunites, but in the end they just made more plays than we did. It’s frustrating,” Huskies cornerback Desmond Trufant said.

Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483
ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com
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