Field Level Media
Nov 15, 2020
Sean McGrew led a multifaceted Washington rushing attack with 91 yards and a touchdown and the Huskies held off visiting Oregon State, 27-21, Saturday at Husky Stadium.
Washington (1-0, 1-0 Pac-12 Conference) nursed a three-point lead for almost the entire second half of its delayed season opener. The Huskies were scheduled to kick off their COVID-19-shortened season Nov. 7 at Cal, but testing protocols resulted in a cancellation.
In its belated start, Washington charged to 24 first-half points behind new offensive coordinator John Donovan's versatile run-game approach. Nine Huskies had carries, including Kamari Pleasant's 61 with a touchdown and Richard Newton's 41 yards.
Quarterback Dylan Morris, who emerged from a four-player competition for the starting role, added a score to his 21 yards -- and Washington's 267 total rushing yards -- with a goal-line touchdown late in the second quarter. The Huskies did not score again until Peyton Henry made a 23-yard field goal with 1:45 remaining.
Oregon State (0-2, 0-2) went scoreless after intermission. The Beavers cut the deficit to three points going into halftime on Jermar Jefferson's four-yard touchdown run 18 seconds before the break.
Jefferson rushed for 133 yards on 23 carries, but it was one yard not credited to him that changed the complexion of the game. The Beavers drove deep into Washington territory to close the third quarter. On third- and fourth-and-1 at the Huskies' 5-yard line, Jefferson took the handoff and was ruled short of the first-down marker. Jefferson appeared to surpass the line to gain on the fourth-down run but review held up the call on the field.
Oregon State was on the wrong end of another official's decision in the fourth quarter when, on Washington's final drive, Kitan Oladapo was called for targeting. His tackle of Morris would have brought up fourth down, but the penalty instead allowed Washington to run an additional 1:33 off the clock.
Washington sealed the win with an Asa Turner interception of Oregon State quarterback Tristan Gebbia. The junior went 11-of-24 for 85 yards. B.J. Baylor rushed for 41 yards on eight carries and scored a touchdown for Oregon State.
Jaydon Grant scored the game's first points, returning a punt blocked by Hamilcar Rashed Jr. for an Oregon State touchdown.
The win marks the first for new Washington head coach Jimmy Lake, a former colleague of Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith. Both were assistants at Washington under Chris Petersen.
The Huskies have now won nine straight against the Beavers.
--Field Level Media