No. 8 Oregon fails to convert on 4th down, allowing Michael Penix, No. 7 Washington to comeback in 2nd straight rivalry classic

The biggest game in the rivalry’s history lived up to its billing, delivering another instant classic in which Dan Lanning’s late-game aggression will be called into question.

No. 8 Oregon led 33-29 with 2:11 to go and was facing fourth and 3 from No. 7 Washington’s 47-yard line when Lanning elected to keep the offense on the field. Bo Nix’s pass fell incomplete and Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies seized on the opportunity.

Penix connected with Rome Odunze for a 17-yard touchdown to give Washington (6-0, 3-0 Pac-12) the lead back with 1:38 to go. Nix and the Ducks drove into field goal range but Camden Lewis’ 43-yard try missed wide right as Washington hung on for a 36-33 win over Oregon Saturday afternoon at Husky Stadium.

After the teams traded punts, Washington blazed down the field for its first score as Penix connected with Rome Odunze for 46 yards and then found Giles Jackson for a 26-yard touchdown, with UO’s Jahlil Florence in coverage on both big gains.

Oregon responded with a 14-play 90-yard drive in which its offense settled in thanks to a 15-yard pass from Nix to Troy Franklin on second and 13, a five-yard run by Nix on third and 3, six-yard pass from Nix to Bucky Irving on third and 3 and two Washington penalties. Irving capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run and Patrick Herbert ran in a two-point conversion to make it 8-7 UO.

Penix gave the Huskies the lead back at the end of the quarter, completing a 26-yard score to Ja’Lynn Polk.

Nix and Irving got Oregon up the field quickly to open the second quarter and Herbert hauled in an 11-yard touchdown to make it 15-14 with 11:44 left in the quarter.

Again, Penix led Washington on a touchdown drive, which spanned 83 yards on 12 plays in 6:27 to take a 22-15 lead with 5:12 to half.

Oregon went up-tempo on its ensuing drive and found success but stalled and settled for a 45-yard field goal by Camden Lewis.

Florence intercepted Penix with 0:55 left in the half and Oregon got inside goal to go but Nix had back-to-back passes fall incomplete and UW held on for a 22-18 lead at the break.

Oregon failed to score on the opening possession of the second half, a rare miss for UO on both ends of the middle 8.

Penix found Odunze for a 17-yard touchdown to make it 29-18.

Nix led the Ducks to the UW 3 but turned it over on downs. From there Oregon’s defense mounted a huge stand with back-to-back three-and-outs and Nix found Franklin for a 30-yard touchdown in between and Jordan James ran in from 10 yards out to put Oregon ahead 33-29 with 12:58 to go.

Washington drove 58 yards to UO’s 1 and the Ducks mounted a goal line stand to regain possession with 6:33 to go.

Oregon drove to UW’s 47 with 2:33 to go and elected to go for it on fourth down and Nix’s pass fell incomplete.

Penix drove the field in two plays, with an 18-yard touchdown to Odunze putting the Huskies ahead again with 1:38 to play.

The Ducks go within field goal range and Camden Lewis missed a 43-yarder to end the game.

Top performance: Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. went 22 of 37 for 302 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.

Key contributors: Bo Nix was 33 of 44 for 337 yards with two touchdowns and added seven carries for 14 yards. Troy Franklin caught eight passes for 154 yards and a touchdown. Bucky Irving had 22 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown had six catches for 34 yards. UW’s Dillon Johnson had 20 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown and a five-yard catch. Rome Odunze had eight catches for 128 yards and two scores

Key play: Oregon’s failed fourth down conversion with 2:11 to play

It was over when: Lewis missed the field goal to end the game

Next up: Oregon hosts No. 19 Washington State at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 21

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