Washington vs. Oregon State score, takeaways: Huskies pass tough road test, clinch Pac-12 title game berth

Washington defense is improving

The Huskies defense has been a massive liability for the majority of the season, but there are bright spots to focus on as they head toward what could be a berth in the College Football Playoff. Defensive back Jabbar Muhammed was an absolute monster, picking off two passes and breaking up four more. Oregon State continued to throw toward the junior even though he consistently told the Beavers to stay away from him. Moving forward, they'll likely face the high-flying Oregon passing attack in the Pac-12 Championship Game, so the knowledge that he has one side of the field locked down is enormous for a team that lacked any consistency throughout the season. 

Linebacker Bralen Trice deserves a shoutout as well. Fellow linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala was a late scratch due to an unknown injury, which put a ton of pressure on his mates in the second level of the defense as they squared off against the punishing Beavers offense. Trice had six tackles, 2.5 for loss, one sack and hurried Uiagaleli three times on the night. 

Is the defense great? No. Is it average? It's starting to look like it. That unit held Utah scoreless in the second half last week and did enough on Saturday night even though they struggled to get off the field.

Penix fell behind in the Heisman Trophy race

It was painful to watch Michael Penix Jr. standing on the sideline in the second half as Oregon State reeled off long drive after long drive. The senior who was one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy coming into the day was off all night, including in the first half when he tossed 10 straight incomplete passes. He picked it up a bit late in the half, including the 32-yard strike to Odunze with under one minute to play for his second touchdown pass. But voters are not going to look fondly upon a performance like that in a big game, even though it was in miserable conditions. 

More concerning for his Heisman Trophy chances, though, is that his two primary threats went off on Saturday. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels accounted for eight touchdowns (six passing, two rushing) in the 56-14 win over Georgia State, while Oregon quarterback Bo Nix threw six touchdowns in the Ducks' 49-13 win at Arizona State. Is there a glimmer of hope? Sure. If Washington and Oregon meet in Las Vegas in the conference championship game and Penix out-duels Nix, that could sway votes to his side since many voters suffer from recency bias. However, Daniels won't be playing that weekend and could be the leader in the clubhouse. 

End of an era

An era came to an end on Saturday when the Beavers and their fans walked out of Reser Stadium. The program is stuck in limbo after every Pac-12 member -- other than Washington State -- will be playing in another conference next season, which made this game against the Huskies the last Pac-12 home game for a program that has steadily built itself into a threat under sixth-year coach Jonathan Smith. 

The Beavers didn't go out with a bang, but they went out with a valiant, gritty effort that was a reflection of just how well Smith has created the identity of this program. What does the future hold? It's hard to say considering players and coaches might bail knowing that the future of Oregon State football is murky. However, whatever happens, Oregon State gave its fans and the country a fun one heading into the rivalry game against Oregon.

Chipping away

10:40 Q4: No. 5 Washington 22, No. 11 Oregon State 20

Chainsaws are all over Reser Stadium, which is appropriate because Oregon State keeps chipping away at Washington's lead. Atticus Sappington nailed a 35-yard field goal to make it a two-point game after quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was forced to throw it away on third-and-long. Keep an eye on Uiagalelei. He was hit as he let the pass go and appeared to pop his thumb back into place as he walked off the field. 

The fourth quarter should be a wild one

END Q3: No. 5 Washington 22, No. 11 Oregon State 17

Buckle up folks. We are set up for a wild finish in the last home game at Reser Stadium for an Oregon State program that will be without a conference home next year. Washington kicker Grady Gross missed a 39-yard field goal that would have given the Huskies a 25-10 lead early in the third quarter, but Oregon State took the missed field goal and generated a ton of momentum headed to the final frame. The Beavers marched 78 yards on 16 plays in 9:56 to make it a one score game. The 10-point swing electrified the crowd as the Beavers smell blood in the water. Running back Damien Martinez has been the star of the show for coach Jonathan Smith's bunch. The sophomore has 111 yards and two touchdowns on the night and is wearing down a Washington defense that has struggled for the majority of the season.

Oregon State with a dominating TD drive

1:29 Q3: No. 5 Washington 22, No. 11 Oregon State 17

How do you keep Washington in check? Keep its offense on the sideline. That's exactly what Oregon State on a masterful 16-play, 78-yard drive that culminated with a 5-yard touchdown run from big Damien Martinez. Perhaps more impressive is that the Beavers only converted only one third-down chance and one fourth-down chance as they methodically marched for the touchdown. The Huskies have to deal with a rowdy Reser Stadium that came to life after the Beavers seemed like they were on the ropes on the previous drive.

Washington squanders a chance

This might come as a shock, but Washington defensive back Jabbar Muhammed is still balling out for the Huskies defense. He picked off Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei on the third play of the third quarter to set up the offense on the Oregon State 22-yard line. It was Muhammed's second interception of the game on a night where he also has three pass breakups. However, kicker Grady Gross pushed a 39-yard field goal wide left after the drive stalled, blowing a golden opportunity to put this game virtually out-of-reach for a Beavers team that is struggling on offense. 

Jabbar Muhammed interception caps a great half

HALF: No. 5 Washington 22, No. 11 Oregon State 10

Washington defensive back Jabbar Muhammed is having a tremendous night in a very rainy game in Corvallis, Oregon. He picked off a pass on the next-to-last play of the half to halt an Oregon State drive on fourth-and-10 and broken up three passes. We talk about halftime adjustments all of the time, and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei might want to make it a point to throw it away from Muhammed based on the way he has played tonight. 

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr hasn't had his best night. The Heisman Trophy contender has only completed 8 of 19 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns, along with one touchdown on the ground. However, he started to get into a groove through the air late in the half, which could propel him to success during the final 30 minutes. 

The Beavers offense struggled in the second quarter, turning the ball over twice and failing to convert a third-down opportunity. They subb in freshman quarterback Aidan Chiles on the third series of every game, and that seemed to slow down the flow of the offense. It'll be interesting to see what adjustments they make because running back Damien Martinez has been the only consistent piece of the puzzle in the last home game of the Pac-12 for the Beavers. 

Odunze for six makes it a two-score game 

Late Q2: No. 5 Washington 22, No. 11 Oregon State 10

The Huskies went into the locker room on a high note as quarterback Michael Penix Jr found Rome Odunze for a 32-yard touchdown with just under one minute to play in the half. Odunze turned the Beavers defensive back around and caught it while falling backwards before sliding out of the end zone on the slick turf at Reser Stadium. It was the second time that the two hooked up for touchdowns, as Penix has added more bullet points to his Heisman Trophy resume. 

We are back to a one-score game

4:57 Q2: No. 5 Washington 16, No. 11 Oregon State 10

It's slick, folks. Nothing has been easy tonight in Corvallis, but the Beavers found a way to get it down the field and set up Atticus Sappington for the 38-yard field goal despite a rather sketchy snap in the rainy weather. The weather has put the onus on running back Damien Martinez, and he has responded. The sophomore had four carries on the eight play drive and seemed to thrive when coach Jonathon Smith's team cranked up the tempo just a little bit.

Back-to-back turnovers lead to Washington TD

9:33 Q2: No. 5 Washington 16, No. 11 Oregon State 7

Washington running back Dillon Johnson appeared headed straight for the end zone from near midfield, but Kitan Oladapo did a great job slapping the ball out from behind at the 5-yard line. It was recovered by Akili Arnold at the 5-yard line. However, the Huskies got the ball right back two plays later when receiver Anthony Gould fumbled on the right sideline and it was recovered by Jabbar Muhammed at the 19-yard line. 

Oregon State appeared to have the Huskies pinned back on third-and-11, but Ryan Cooper Jr was popped for pass interference from the 20-yard line as Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr essentially underthrew a back shoulder fade in order to draw a flag. Penix cruised in from 2 yards out on the next play to make it a two-score game.

Safety dance

End Q1: No. 5 Washington 9, No. 13 Oregon State 7

Oregon State long-snapper Dylan Black sailed one over the head of punter Josh Green late in the first quarter, and Green kicked it through the back of the end zone for a safety to give the Huskies a lead heading into the second frame. That closed out what was an impressive first frame for both teams. Washington took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field, and quarterback Michael Penix Jr found Rome Odunze for a 12-yard touchdown to get the scoring started. Beavers running back Damien Martinez answered back with a 3-yard touchdown run on their first drive of the game to even things up. The defenses have struggled in a very rainy Corvallis, and the rain is expected to continue throughout the night. 

Back come the Beavers

5:09 Q1: No. 5 Washington 7, No. 11 Oregon State 7

The Beavers want to grind out the clock and keep the potent Huskies offense on the sideline, and they did just that on their first drive of the game. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei led them on a 10-play, 75-yard march that took up 4:46 of the clock to tie it up. Damien Martinez -- who had 28 yards rushing on the drive -- punched it in from three yards out for the score. That's what Oregon State has to do in order to get the job done considering how quickly Washington can score. 

Big injury news

Washington star linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala was a late scratch from the game after suffering an undisclosed injury prior to kickoff. The extent of the injury is unknown. Junior Carson Bruener is stepping in to start in his place. Bruener has 45 tackles and an interception this season.

Statement drive out of the gate

9:55 Q1: No. 5 Washington 7, No. 11 Oregon State 0

The rowdy crowd at Reser Stadium was stunned by Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr on the first drive of the game as the Heisman Trophy candidate found Rome Odunze for a 12-yard touchdown. That capped off a 10-play, 63-yard drive that saw the Huskies convert three opportunities on third down. Penix was an impressive 4 of 5 for 51 yards on the drive, and was not detered by the pouring rain in Corvallis. 

Washington will win it outright

The Huskies opened as underdogs and that hasn't changed throughout the week. Not only will they cover, they'll do it by double digits. Styles make fights, and the Huskies will make this one a track meet. Simply put, the Beavers won't be able to keep up. Sure, the Beavers has a fantastic rushing attack which could limit the possessions for Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr, but he will make sure that this game is played in the 30s. Oregon State isn't built for that. 

Take the under

Here is Tom Fornelli's pick for the game

"Are you surprised the Beavers are favored in this spot? You probably shouldn't be. Oregon State's been a good team all year, and it's stronger at home. Meanwhile, Washington's defense has been a problem. I see this game as a coin flip, and I'm not interested in the spread because of it. The better play is on the under because Oregon State runs the ball extremely effectively and will try to run over a Washington defense that has struggled to stop it. Meanwhile, Washington has run the ball a lot more the last two weeks with great results. Oregon State's defense has been susceptible to the run as well. I don't know how many times the clock will stop in this matchup. Pick: Under 64"

Oregon State's home-field advantage

Tom Fornelli warns Washington about the dangers of Reser Stadium:

"The Beavers haven't been a bad team on the road (they're 3-2 and the two losses have come by six points total), but they've been much better at home. Oregon State is 5-0 in the friendly confines of Reser Stadium this year, winning all five games by at least 12 points. They've won nine straight at home dating back to a loss to USC last September. Oregon State's longest home winning streak in program history was 13 games spanning the 1962-64 seasons."

Dennis Dodd's storyline

Here is how our very own Dennis Dodd broke down this matchup in his weekly storyline column

"Beavers coach Jonathan Smith needs to seriously consider the UCLA job if it comes open ... or the Michigan State job which is currently open. Oregon State is nearing the end of an era as a Power Five program. It gets tougher from here on out to be relevant. In one of the biggest wins in school history, the Beavers knock off the Huskies with a tough running game."

Keep an eye on Washington's wide receivers

Tom Fornelli broke down the dynamic duo earlier this week in his game preview:

"Michael Penix seems destined for New York City and the Heisman Trophy ceremony, but as great as he's been, he's far from a one-man band. Washington receivers Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk are one of only two receiving duos in the country with at least 900 yards apiece. The other is LSU's Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Odunze's 1,100 yards receiving are the third-most in the country behind Nabers and Virginia's Malik Washington."

Washington's games continue to get closer

Here is how our own Tom Fornelli broke down the current state of the Washington Huskies:

"If you look at Washington's overall resume this season, there's a strong argument the Huskies should be in the top four ahead of Florida State. Their wins against Oregon, USC and Utah should matter more than Florida State's victory over LSU. Even a struggle against Arizona that raised eyebrows at the time looks much more understandable now that the Wildcats have cracked the top 25 themselves. The problem is that Washington is playing too many close games. After winning their first four games of the season by an average of 32.8 points, its last six wins have come by 44 points combined. And while a narrow win over Arizona looks better, close calls against Stanford and Arizona State don't. If Washington wins out, none of this will matter, but when you have five undefeated teams competing for four playoff spots, style points are important."

Pac-12 battle featuring top-15 teams

No. 5 Washington squares off with No. 11 Oregon State on the road in Corvallis in a massive Pac-12 game that could shake up the College Football Playoff race. The undefeated Huskies can clinch a spot in the conference championship game with a win and post an impressive data point over a highly ranked team that would certainly sit well with the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. However, their defense has been struggling lately, giving up 28 or more points in each of their last three games. 

That defense will have its hands full against a Beavers team that is averaging 196.9 yards per game on the ground. On the other side of the ball, coach Jonathan Smith's defense has held opponents to 5.12 yards per play so far, and that defense will pose a threat to Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is one of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy.