No. 6 Washington overcomes slow start, defeats Beavers 42-7
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – Jake Browning threw for three touchdowns, Myles Gaskin ran for 113 yards and a score and No. 6 Washington broke open a close game with a 21-point third quarter to beat Oregon State 42-7 on Saturday night.
Browning completed 26 of 34 passes for 293 yards and had touchdown passes of 5, 15 and 34 yards to Dante Pettis, who had 12 catches for 105 yards. Browning has now accounted for 12 touchdowns, 10 passing, in three career games against Oregon State.
Gaskin ran for a third-quarter touchdown of 32 yards, and had 15 carries in posting his second consecutive 100-plus-yard game for Washington (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12).
The Huskies finished with 509 yards after struggling to get going initially.
Washington’s defense was smothering, holding Oregon State (1-4, 0-2) to 184 yards and eight first downs. The Beavers didn’t cross Washington’s 45 until the final six minutes.
Oregon State quarterback Darrel Garretson, making his first start of the season in place of injured Jake Luton, completed 11 of 22 passes for 74 yards.
Washington carved up Oregon State on its first drive, marching 98 yards in 10 plays. Browning scored on an 11-yard run to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead. But Oregon State’s defense, statistically one of the worst in Division I in nearly every category, rebounded with a strong performance the rest of the half. Washington threatened only once on its final four drives of the half and came up empty when Tristan Vizcaino bounced a 42-yard field goal attempt off the left upright.
But the Huskies scored 35 points after halftime. The Huskies nearly had their first shutout against a Pac-12 opponent in eight years but Oregon State’s Thomas Tyner scored on a 12-yard run with 3:23 remaining.
THE TAKEAWAY
Washington: The Huskies have had a difficult time getting going on the road this season, scoring only 27 first-half points in three games, but Washington is still off to a 5-0 start.
Oregon State: The Beavers had a strong defensive showing in the first half, including three sacks, but were outmatched after halftime.
THE PLAYMAKER
Pettis, whose eight career punt returns for touchdowns are tied for an NCAA record, rocketed up Washington’s list of career touchdown receptions Saturday. The senior moved from sixth to third after catching three against Oregon State, increasing his career total to 23.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
With the win, Washington figures to rise after No. 5 USC lost Friday night at Washington State.
UP NEXT
Washington: The Huskies return home to play California next Saturday.
Oregon State: The Beavers travel south next Saturday to play at USC, which is coming off a 30-27 loss to Washington State.
