Saturday afternoon lived up to the billing as the biggest game in the history of the Washington-Oregon rivalry. It took all sixty minutes to declare the winner as Oregon kicker Camden Lewis pushed his kick to the right as time expired. The Huskies found a way to win in a matchup that felt like a clash of the titans.

While Washington made mistakes throughout the game in every aspect of the game, they did just enough to move to 6-0 and a #5 ranking in the AP top-25.

Quarterback

Michael Penix showed toughness on Saturday as he looked in pain for much of the second half. It looked as if he had some sort of rib issue that made everything painful. He still ended the day completing about 60% of his passes, scoring four touchdowns, and throwing one interception.

When he had time he was surgical against the physical Duck defensive backs. Later in the game he made throws under massive pressure which ended up being the biggest plays of the afternoon. At times in the second half he looked off, but Michael Penix came through in the clutch cementing his Heisman moment with two chunk plays late in the 4th quarter that ended up being the game winning drive.

Grade: B+

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Running Back

While Michael Penix and the receivers ended up winning the game late, none of that would have been possible without Dillon Johnson. He was outstanding all game finding holes in the defense and beating Duck defenders to the edge. He had his first 100 yard game and averaged 5 yards a carry and added two catches for 10 yards.

He was the workhorse the staff needed him to be.

Grade: A

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Wide Receivers

Rome Odunze is the best receiver in the county. If he doesn’t win the Biletnikoff the committee should be investigated. He gained 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, his final catch of the day being the game-winner.

Ja’Lynn Polk continues to remind the nation that he is a big play NFL receiver with elite hands. The secret weapon of this game was Giles Jackson. He was huge Saturday with the touchdown plus he made a diving grab on 4th down in the fourth quarter to set up a potential score. Oregon’s secondary played okay against this group, but Washington was able to get what they needed.

Grade: A-

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Tight Ends

When a game comes down to a missed field goal every single play matters. Jack Westover saved a short arm from Penix on a fourth down play late in the second quarter. Later in that drive Oregon picked Penix off, but Westover’s catch took more time off the clock.

Jack also caught the pass on the two-point conversion. Devin Culp drew a penalty on the Oregon safety in the second half that led to a Washington touchdown. While the other tight ends were in on pass protection, their impact as revivers wasn’t as big of a factor as it has been in other games.

Grade: B

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Offensive Line

This was obviously the O-Line’s biggest test of the year. Oregon is big up front with two solid edge rushers. Washington was tasked with communicating as Oregon moved pre-snap and relied a lot on stunts to bring a free rusher up the gut.

Washington’s O-line was not perfect, but they adjusted to some of the pressures which gave Penix time to find his targets. They run blocked very well as Johnson had some big holes to run through. In space these O-linemen continue to look athletic.

Grade: B