No. 7 Washington hosted No. 8 Oregon in one of the biggest games of the year on Saturday.
The first half of the game was a high-scoring affair that ended with a chaotic closing sequence.
After scoring a touchdown with just over five minutes left in the half, the Huskies decided to go for two, needing to match a two-point conversion the Ducks secured earlier in the game.
Washington's formation and play design was ... interesting. But it worked. Huskies lead 22-15. Normal score for a football game.
How about this formation and the execution by the Huskies?
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2023
The 2-point conversion for @UW_Football is GOOD ✅ pic.twitter.com/1nU6gwrktl
That play would prove relatively normal compared to what followed.
After the Oregon offense was forced to settle for a field goal on its next possession, Washington got the ball back holding a 22-18 lead (again, normal) with two minutes left.
Facing fourth-and-1 on their own 44 with 85 seconds to play in the first half, the Huskies went for it, and converted in extremely nervy fashion, with a catch that was reviewed but ultimately stood.
Was this a catch or nah? pic.twitter.com/DymSr7pnic
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2023
The conversion breathed new life into the Washington offense, who now had a chance to score some points before the half. Instead, two plays later, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw a pick.
INTERCEPTED
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2023
The @OregonFootball defense picks off Michael Penix Jr. 🔒🦆 pic.twitter.com/MDh3j7OM3k
Now it was Oregon who were positioned to score before halftime.
The Ducks offense marched to the goal line but then stalled out, facing fourth-and-goal from three yards out with just six seconds to play before the break.
Head coach Dan Lanning rolled the dice, rolling quarterback Bo Nix out, but he couldn't find a receiver.
STOPPED ON 4TH & GOAL
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2023
The @UW_Football defense shuts down Oregon at the end of the first half 😤 pic.twitter.com/GXjM6NDSKB
Halftime, Huskies lead 22-18.
Let's hope the end of the second half is as thrilling as the end of the first was.
