There was a lot at stake for the Oregon Ducks against the rival Washington Huskies (6-6, 4-5). The group overcame adversity to complete its undefeated 12-0 regular season (9-0 in Oregon’s first Big Ten Conference season) with a 49-21 win in front of booming Autzen Stadium on senior night.

The win over the Huskies means even more for Oregon coach Dan Lanning, who came into the game with an 0-3 record since 2022. He is 0-3 in Washington coach Jedd Fisch’s career with both the Arizona Wildcats and Huskies from 2021 to date. 3 against the Ducks.

“Tough night. We didn’t play our best and we came up against a really, really good football team that is number 1 in the country. They certainly reflected that today. I don’t think they really have many weaknesses.”

– Washington coach Jedd Fisch

Fisch chose freshman Demond Williams Jr. at starting quarterback over veteran Will Rogers, which was a surprise to most. The Mississippi State transfer has started every Huskies game this season leading up to the Pacific Northwest rivalry matchup. In his first start for the Huskies, Williams Jr. threw for 201 passing yards and a touchdown pass on 17 of 20 completions in the loss.

Will is fantastic, as he has been all year. I let Will know very early on… two weeks ago, a week ago, that this was the direction we were going and he was an A+ like he’s been all year. I can’t say enough good things about Will Rogers as a person. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to train him. I will miss him and if he ever wants to come back we have a coaching job for him.

– Washington coach Jedd Fisch

“It was about time… I’m in a situation where we can play 57 games with him now… He’s been with us for three years too, so it was the right time to get him going. We also did 15 practices that he can take starting reps (before the bowl game in Washington).”

– Washington coach Jedd Fisch

Oregon’s ten sacks against Washington tied the Oregon single-game record and also tied for the most sacks in a game of any FBS team this season. Washington’s Williams Jr. said during the postgame that he acknowledged all the sacks the Huskies gave up.

“We taught him (Demond Williams Jr.) well to say that. I’m sure our line would take the same responsibility, the running backs would take the same responsibility, and I would take the same responsibility… I can do that.” “I didn’t put him in a position to be sacked that much become.”

– Washington coach Jedd Fisch

It was another group effort in the ground game from the dynamic running back duo of Jordan James (99 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 attempts) and Noah Whittington (67 rushing yards and one touchdown on nine attempts). Even Heisman Trophy quarterback candidate Dillon Gabriel contributed a four-yard rushing touchdown, and freshman running back Da’Juan Riggs contributed a one-yard punch-in of his own.

“We always want to be bigger and better up front and be able to make plays to advance the line of scrimmage. Far too many yards after contact and rushing the ball, they were able to do what was available to them. Sort of pick-and-choice.” their running game as they get too many yards from it.

The 117th meeting between the two Pacific Northwest opponents could belong to the Ducks, while the Huskies still hold the all-time lead at 63-49-5. The very first matchup between the two schools was won by Oregon 43-0 on December 1, 1900.

After the Michigan Wolverines’ 13-10 win at the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions’ win over the Maryland Terrapins in Happy Valley with a score of 44-7, the Big Ten Conference Championship is final.

Penn State coach James Franklin and Lanning’s No. 1-ranked program will face off Saturday, Dec. 7, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The top conference championship game between the Nittany Lions and the Ducks will have implications for a bye in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

MORE: Oregon Ducks, Washington Injury Report: Tez Johnson, Jordan Burch, Jahlil Florence

MORE: Oregon Ducks host elite recruits, flip targets: Lincoln Cure, Andrew Olesh

MORE: Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix injury report ahead of Monday Night Football game in Cleveland

MORE: Big Ten Championship Game odds: Oregon Ducks, Ohio State Buckeyes rematch

MORE: Can the Oregon Ducks overtake Georgia for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 recruiting class? Flip’s loom

MORE: Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving shows touching support for Denver quarterback Bo Nix

MORE: Oregon Ducks Dillon Gabriel make FBS history vs. Washington on senior night

MORE: Caleb Downs says Ohio State Buckeyes ‘not well prepared’ to play Oregon Ducks

MORE: Who will the Oregon Ducks face in the Big Ten championship game: Ohio State, Indiana?

MORE: Oregon Ducks schedule: Washington Huskies kickoff time, TV broadcast announced

MORE: Washington Huskies’ Jedd Fisch on Oregon Ducks: ‘Our guys believe’ in surprises

MORE: Washington Huskies’ Jedd Fisch reveals quarterback plans against Oregon Ducks