facebook-pixel

Pac-12 roundup: Washington State knocks off Oregon 34-20 to take charge in North division

Washington State wide receiver Renard Bell (81) runs for a touchdown against Oregon during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Pullman, Wash. • Gardner Minshew threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Dezmon Patmon in the back of the end zone with 3:40 left and No. 25 Washington State beat No. 12 Oregon 34-20 on Saturday night.

The Cougars (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) capped one of the biggest days in program history by taking control of the North Division race. Washington State hosted ESPN’s “College Gameday” and later celebrated its fourth straight victory over Oregon (6-1, 3-1).

Minshew was 39 of 51 for 323 yards and four touchdowns.

Down 27-0 at the half, Oregon pulled to 27-20 on Adam Stack’s 23-yard field goal with 6:38 left. The Cougars got a huge play on the next drive from Travell Harris when he stole a pass from Oregon’s Jevon Holland for a 37-yard gain into Oregon territory. Minshew then hit Harris for 11 yards to convert fourth-and-6 and, two plays later, Minshew hit Patmon for the touchdown that finally put away the Ducks.

Minshew had a pass intercepted by cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to start the game after driving deep into Oregon territory. Minshew and the Cougars then went on a tear, pulling away to the big halftime lead.

Washington State scored on its second possession on James Williams’ 24-yard run. Williams bounced off several defenders and stiff- armed his way to the sideline. Minshew found wide receiver Renard Bell for a 16-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter, and added two more strikes in the final three minutes of the half — a 6-yarder to Easop Winston Jr. and a 15-yarder to Max Borghi.

Justin Herbert was 25 of 44 for 270 yards and a TD for Oregon.

No. 15 Washington 27, Colorado 13 • In Seattle, Jake Browning threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Fuller on fourth down with less than four minutes remaining, and Washington held off Colorado. Washington’s four-year starting quarterback had an unremarkable game up until the Huskies needed a big play. Rather than trying for a long field goal, Browning and the Huskies’ offense stayed on the field. Facing a Colorado blitz, Browning found Fuller on a quick slant with nothing but the end zone ahead.

California 49, Oregon State 7 • In Corvallis, Ore., Patrick Laird ran for 193 yards and two touchdowns, and also caught a scoring pass, and California snapped a three-game losing streak with a victory at Oregon State. It was Cal’s first conference win of the season. The Golden Bears had not won a Pac-12 game on the road since a victory at Washington in 2015, a string of 14 games. Chase Garbers threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns for the Golden Bears.

The Beavers have lost five games overall as well and their last 13 conference games. Oregon State’s lone win this season came against Southern Utah on Sept. 8.