After scoring 42 unanswered points to win their first game at Autzen Stadium since 1996, the Washington Huskies couldn’t help but celebrate.
And celebrate, and celebrate, and then celebrate some more.
“They’ve been talking so much trash about our coach and our program,” Washington tailback Rich Alexis, who had 122 yards, told The Seattle Times. “There was a lot of hatred on their side. You could hear the crowd talking about our coach and that struck me personally. I didn’t like that at all. We came out with a great win so we deserved (to celebrate).”
In becoming the Pacific-10 Conference single-season passing record holder, Washington’s Cody Pickett threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns, three to sophomore receiver Reggie Williams.
In an interview with a Seattle radio station two weeks ago, Oregon safety Keith Lewis called Pickett “overrated.”
Pickett said he tried to talk to Lewis after the game, but Lewis “didn’t have much to say.” Lewis, who has been banned from media interviews for the remainder of the season, had no tackles against the Huskies, though he did have one interception.
“To come in and play with the crowd talking and the team talking made the win even sweeter,” Pickett said.
Williams, meanwhile, continued the onslaught on Oregon’s young defensive backs. Six-foot-4-inch, 220-pound Williams tied the Autzen record with 14 receptions, and had 198 receiving yards.
Williams’ two fourth-quarter scores put the game out of reach, and sent Duck fans home in the rain.
“There was no noise, no fans, and everyone was leaving,” Williams said.
Oregon freshman defensive back Marques Binns said the Ducks weren’t concentrating their defense on Williams.
“We didn’t really look at him and say, ‘We gotta stop him,’” Binns said. “We just wanted to stop their offense.”
The Huskies (6-5 overall, 3-4 Pac-10) racked up 181 yards on the ground for a total of 479 yards. Oregon (7-4, 3-4) managed 300 yards as it fell into a four-way tie for fifth place.
“I expected less out of Washington, to be completely honest,” Oregon quarterback Jason Fife said.
Despite a rough season, in which the Huskies lost three straight Pac-10 games, Washington still could be headed for a bowl game. The Huskies technically are bowl-eligible with six wins, but the Pac-10 has a contract that allows just six teams to play in the postseason.
The Huskies could guarantee a bowl bid with a win at No. 3 Washington State this week.
The Ducks also travel to their in-state rival, Oregon State, this week, looking to end the season on a positive note.
“I think we’ll be able to bounce back from this and shoot right at the heart of the Beavers,” Fife said.