The Oregon defense makes the plays it needs down the stretch to stave off Washington State’s potent offense and save the win.
With a chilling wind at his back and mounds of snow encircling Martin Stadium, Oregon place-kicker Josh Frankel pulled through when the Ducks needed him most.
From 47 yards out, Frankel split the uprights on what would be the game-winning field goal in overtime, lifting Oregon over Washington State, 27-24. It happened in front of about 5,000 Duck fans, including Nike founder Phil Knight, who braved the travel and weather to watch their team play in Pullman, Wash.
The win improved Oregon to No. 6 in the Associated Press poll. Never in history have the Ducks been so highly ranked.
It appeared that Oregon was on its way to blowing out the Cougars when tailback Maurice Morris stormed into the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown run with just under two minutes gone by.
However, the Cougars answered promptly, knotting the score at seven less than 1:30 later. Despite the loss of Jason Gesser — Washington State’s star quarterback, who broke his leg in the second quarter when sacked by defensive end Saul Patu — Oregon fell behind and trailed at halftime for the first time this season.
The Cougars opened the fourth quarter with an early touchdown, taking an eight-point lead. With 9:08 to go in the fourth quarter, Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington found Marshaun Tucker in the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Harrington then connected with receiver Keenan Howry on a perfectly executed two-point conversion, tying the score at 24-24.
In the first overtime, Oregon opted to kick the field goal after struggling to move the ball down field. Frankel drained it.
Washington State crumbled on its overtime possession, losing 11 yards on a holding penalty and another five for having 12 players on the field. On fourth-and-seven with the ball at the 22-yard line, Oregon’s Jed Boice blocked the Cougars’ 39-yard field-goal attempt to seal the win.