Oregon-Washington Descends Into Chaos to Close First Half

No. 7 Washington hosted No. 8 Oregon in one of the biggest games of the year on Saturday.

The first half of the game was a high-scoring affair that ended with a chaotic closing sequence.

After scoring a touchdown with just over five minutes left in the half, the Huskies decided to go for two, needing to match a two-point conversion the Ducks secured earlier in the game.

Washington's formation and play design was ... interesting. But it worked. Huskies lead 22-15. Normal score for a football game.

That play would prove relatively normal compared to what followed.

After the Oregon offense was forced to settle for a field goal on its next possession, Washington got the ball back holding a 22-18 lead (again, normal) with two minutes left.

Facing fourth-and-1 on their own 44 with 85 seconds to play in the first half, the Huskies went for it, and converted in extremely nervy fashion, with a catch that was reviewed but ultimately stood.

The conversion breathed new life into the Washington offense, who now had a chance to score some points before the half. Instead, two plays later, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw a pick.

Now it was Oregon who were positioned to score before halftime.

The Ducks offense marched to the goal line but then stalled out, facing fourth-and-goal from three yards out with just six seconds to play before the break.

Head coach Dan Lanning rolled the dice, rolling quarterback Bo Nix out, but he couldn't find a receiver.

Halftime, Huskies lead 22-18.

Let's hope the end of the second half is as thrilling as the end of the first was.