Huskies lose 11th straight to Oregon, Ducks win 45-20

  • By Christian Caple The News Tribune
  • Saturday, October 18, 2014 8:21pm
  • SportsSports

EUGENE, Ore. — Everything about the pregame scene here felt like big-time college football, with Oregon Ducks legend Kenny Wheaton hopping on the back of a motorcycle just before kickoff against the rival Washington Huskies, exhorting the sellout crowd at Autzen Stadium on a picture-perfect Saturday in the Willamette Valley.

But when Oregon finally stopped running and catching and scoring, the result was really nothing special at all.

It was just another victory over the Huskies, this one 45-20, the outcome in doubt only as long as it took the Ducks to score three touchdowns in the second quarter en route to a 28-6 halftime lead.

It was 35-6 after Oregon’s first possession of the second half, and 42-13 after Royce Freeman’s fourth rushing touchdown of the game.

Copy, paste. Wash, rinse, repeat. This beating was unfit for primetime, the Ducks hammering the Huskies for the 11th consecutive season, each of those triumphs decided by a final margin of 17 points or more.

Here was Saturday, in a nutshell, via the oratory of junior receiver Jaydon Mickens:

“We made too many mistakes. We didn’t convert on third-down a lot, and we didn’t really establish a running game or a passing game.”

Not exactly ideal execution against the ninth-ranked team in the country, especially against Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota, the Ducks’ junior quarterback.

Mariota was again magnificent, completing 24 of 33 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns, helping Oregon outgain UW 554-317.

But it was Freeman, the Ducks’ freshman running back, who gashed the Huskies most frequently. He carried 29 times for 169 yards and four scores, with a long of 37 and zero negative rushes.

The Huskies (5-2, 1-2 in Pacific-12 Conference) allowed a surprising amount of yardage up the middle of their experienced, athletic front seven, and two of their three sacks of Mariota came well after the game had been decided.

Their offense wasn’t much better. Third-year sophomore quarterback Cyler Miles completed 19 of 28 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an apparent head injury in the fourth quarter. He also threw his first interception of the season and fumbled on his final play of the game without being touched.

UW couldn’t run the ball, either. It averaged just 3.7 yards on 36 attempts against an Oregon defense that ranked 107th in the country in yards per game allowed.

“You can point at both sides of the ball,” Huskies coach Chris Petersen said. “We got nothing going. We got three and outs. We didn’t run the ball even nearly good enough. So, kind of back to the drawing board. Seems like it’s a little bit two steps forward, one step back here.”

The Huskies started the game well enough, holding Oregon to a three-and-out on the opening possession before driving for a 33-yard Cameron Van Winkle field goal to take an early lead.

Oregon (6-1, 3-1) responded with a 7-play, 81-yard touchdown drive. Washington responded with another field goal. And that was a problem.

“I knew that if we didn’t come out fast on Oregon, they can put up a lot of points,” Mickens said. “Especially with a Heisman candidate at quarterback.”

Said Petersen: “We get down in the red zone a couple times early, have to settle for field goals — that’s not going to be good.”

It wasn’t. The Ducks used 17 plays to march 81 yards on their next drive for a 14-6 lead, scored again a little more than six minutes later on a 99-yard drive capped by Freeman’s third touchdown, and scored again with 1:32 remaining in the half on a 23-yard pass from Mariota to Byron Marshall. In between, the Huskies went nowhere and punted.

That was basically the game. Miles flipped a 3-yard touchdown pass to Deontae Cooper on fourth-and-goal late in the third quarter, and redshirt freshman Troy Williams, playing in place of the injured Miles, scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 5:22 to play.

Those scores were ultimately inconsequential against an Oregon team that, again, is considerably better than Washington.

“It’s tough,” said nose tackle Danny Shelton, a member of yet another senior class that will graduate with a winless record against Oregon. “But I know these coaches have something for us. I have confidence in Coach Pete and his system, and in a few years, this team’s going to be right up there.”

But on Saturday, they simply went down. Again.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.