Washington holds on late to win the PAC-12 championship over Oregon, 34-31

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 01: Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) celebrates after a first down to win the game during the Pac-12 Conference championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies on December 1, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

Las Vegas, NV- The possible final Pac-12 championship is in the books as Washington takes down Oregon, 34-31.

In an instant classic, Washington was able to hold on to pick up the victory and possibly secure a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

The Huskies dominated the first quarter jumping out to a 10-0 lead and out gaining the Ducks 117-9 in the quarter. Dillon Johnson scored the first touchdown of the game with his five-yard touchdown run.

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 01: \Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson (7) runs the ball for a gainduring the Pac-12 Conference championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies on December 1, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

A Johnson four-yard touchdown pass to receiver Germie Bernard put Washington up 17-3 in the second quarter.

Oregon was able to put their first touchdown on the board prior to the end of the half when Oregon quarterback Bo Nix threw a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Terrance Ferguson. That late first half score kept the game from getting out of hand cutting the lead to 10 for the Huskies who led 20-10 at the half.

The third quarter belonged to Oregon who dominated and took the lead. Nix found Ferguson once again in the end zone and a six-yard touchdown run by running back Jordan James put the Ducks up, 24-20.

After being totally outplayed in the third quarter, Washington struck back when Johnson found the end zone once again. Johnson should have been voted MVP with his performance as he finished the game with 28 rushes for 158 and three scores.

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 01: Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) looks to throw the ball during the Pac-12 Conference championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies on December 1, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was named the game’s MVP made plays throughout and his 4th quarter touchdown pass to tight end Quentin Moore looked like the dagger putting the Huskies up 34-24 late in the fourth.

“The love and trust we have on our team is unmatched,” said Penix Jr. “We’ve been doing it each and every week. We’re not going to say we want those games to be close.”

It looked like game, set and match but Oregon had one more big play in them. With 2:14 remaining, Nix found receiver Traeshon Holden for a 64-yard touchdown to get the Ducks within three, 34-31.

The Ducks defense had three timeouts but couldn’t stop the Huskies from picking up a couple first downs to ice the game.

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 01:Washington Huskies run out before the Pac-12 Conference championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies on December 1, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news)

“That one hurts,” Ducks coach Dan Lanning said. “In a four-quarter fight, you can’t start out slow against a really good team.”

Washington (13-0) finishes as the last undefeated Pac-12 team.

“Wow,” said Washington coach Kalen DeBoer. “We did it at home. We did it on the road. We did it in wind. We did it in rain. A deep, deep, deep belief in our football team right now that when the moments get tough, we can really hone in, guys will do their job and not get overwhelmed.”