The game was a back-and-forth affair from the outset. Washington struck first with a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, but Oregon roared back with 22 unanswered points in the second and third. A crucial field goal by Washington's Blake Mazza late in the third quarter gave the Huskies a 20-22 lead and proved to be the game-winning score.
Despite mounting pressure, Washington's defense held firm in the final minutes. The Huskies forced two turnovers late in the fourth quarter, including a key interception by cornerback Trent McDuffie with less than two minutes remaining.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Cameron Davis rushed for 103 yards. For Oregon, wide receiver Chase Cota led the way with 104 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Washington coach Kalen DeBoer expressed his pride in his team's performance, particularly their resilience in the face of Oregon's comeback. "We came out with a lot of motivation today," said DeBoer. "We knew we had to play our best game, and we did."
Oregon coach Dan Lanning acknowledged the team's strong start but lamented their inability to sustain it. "We played our hearts out, but we couldn't close it out," said Lanning. "We have to learn from this and come back stronger next season."
Washington's win strengthens their case for a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Huskies will likely rise in the rankings and could secure a top-five seed. Oregon's loss, while disappointing, may not eliminate them from Playoff contention but will make their path more challenging.