On a wet Saturday night in Corvallis, the No. 11 Oregon State University Beavers could not keep pace with the No. 5 University of Washington Huskies, losing 22-20.
“At the end of the day it’s not what we pictured, to go out and battle all day and lose by two is tough,” said OSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.
The University of Washington boasts one of the most potent offenses in the entire country. On their first drive, they flexed their weapons.
Washington found the end zone when Michael Penix Jr. connected with wide receiver Rome Odunze on a 12-yard touchdown.
OSU’s offense responded with their run attack. Damien Martinez set the pace for the team, capping off a 75-yard drive with a three-yard run to bring the game level at 7-7.
Possession of the ball was a slippery endeavor for both teams for much of the first half, with the rain relentlessly beating down.
OSU’s second drive resulted in a safety after punter Josh Green could not gather the snap of the ball as the rain beat down. The ball sailed 40 yards over his head and all that could be done was toe-poke the ball out of bounds to prevent any UW recovery.
With the ball fumbled out the back of the end zone, UW was awarded two points giving them the lead, 9-7.
In the second quarter Husky running back Dillon Johnson broke free on what looked like a guaranteed touchdown run until OSU safety Kitan Oladapo punched the ball free near the goal line.
Two plays later OSU coughed up the ball back to the Huskies when wide receiver Anthony Gould fumbled while trying to make a play in open space.
Washington capitalized on the momentum shift scoring two more touchdowns to enter halftime leading 22-10.
The Beavers found a response late in the third quarter as Damien Martinez finished a 78-yard, nearly 10-minute drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
Martinez’s second score of the game sparked new life into a drenched Reser Stadium as it brought the Beavers within five points.
Beaver kicker Atticus Sappington brought the game within two points as he launched a ball through the uprights with 10:40 to go in the 4th quarter.
OSU would have the chance to take the lead with their last drive midway through the 4th quarter.
Starting the drive on their own five-yard line, the Beaver offense drove the ball to midfield taking precious time off the clock running it often.
The game was settled when Uiagalelei evaded the heavy pressure of the Washington defense on 4th down finding just enough time to get the ball off, but rendered incomplete in search of tight end Jack Velling.
For the Beavers, the Rivalry Game awaits, as they face the No. 6 University of Oregon Ducks on Nov. 24 at 5:30 p.m.
