Oregon dominates Huskies in Eugene 45-20: Instant Reactions

Things started out looking good for the Huskies. After Oregon received the kick to start, the Washington defense forced a three-and-out, and the offense drove into field goal range (albeit the yards per play average of under four was discouraging on the drive).

Then things went downhill. Oregon mounted a 17-play drive, the most plays it has run in a touchdown drive this season. After another Cameron Van Winkle field goal, Oregon continued scoring touchdowns, putting up seven points on four of its final five drives of the half excluding running out the clock at the end of the half.

Meanwhile, the Washington Huskies offense sputtered. Cyler Miles and co. averaged 4.3 yards per play in the first half. Miles himself even threw his first interception of the season on a wildly inaccurate overthrow of Jaydon Mickens.

Two more first half stats:

Oregon had more rushing yards (141) and passing yards (239) than UW had total offense (125).

Lavon Coleman and Dwayne Washington (who left with an injury to his ribs) rushed seven times for 10 yards.

The first half stats were only slightly worse than the end-of-game stats.

For a play-by-play recap go here.

Instant Dots:

• John Timu has now dropped three interceptions on the year. His dropped pick early in the first quarter could have been a Shaq Thompson impersonation, i.e. a touchdown. The Huskies also were unable to capitalize on a Mariota fumble near the goal line. UW just wasn't able to capitalize on opportunities to make plays.
  
• The Huskies were able to mount a pass rush, but it wasn't enough to affect Marcus Mariota with the game still in the balance. There is a reason Mariota is a contender for the Heisman trophy, trailing only Mississippi State's Dak Prescott by many prognosticators' opinions. Despite Mariota's scrambling prowess, Kikaha still notched 2.5 sacks. If he ends up in the NCAA record books Danny Shelton deserves a gift or a mention.
  
• Pass protection was not an issue this game. At all. Miles had time to throw whenever he dropped back. Oregon blitzes were rare, and when they came Miles was able to step up through the pocket and pick up yards on scrambles. Miles didn't look bad aside from his interception and fumble. But, those are both bad things. He is the best quarterback on this team, and that isn't questioned.
• Or is it? Troy Williams came into the game after Miles was taken out with a concussion and immediately led the Huskies down the field with both his arm and his legs, but mostly his legs. On that first drive he went 2-7 passing for 27 yards. His legs were the real weapon. His rushing stats, which include a sack, were five carries for 28 yards and a touchdown. The touchdown was impressive, with him rolling out to his right when he didn't see anyone open, then making a defender miss and reversing field before cutting upfield for the score. His final stats: 5/10, 36 yards, 5 carries (including one sack), 28 yards, 1 TD
  

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