Washington Wins 31-24 In OT Over California
SEATTLE (AP) — Sean McGrew scored his second touchdown of the game in overtime, Washington's defense forced California's Damien Moore to fumble at the 1-yard line and the Huskies escaped with a 31-24 win over the Golden Bears on Saturday night at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
The Pac-12 Conference opener ended after Washington linebacker Jackson Sirmon and defensive back Cameron Williams converged on Moore before he reached goal line. Moore was hit hard, the ball popped free and Ryan Bowman pounced on the loose ball, setting off a wild celebration that was briefly muted while the fumble was confirmed by video replay.
The 100th matchup between the schools was another wild conclusion to a series that has recently featured close games.
McGrew scored on a 5-yard run in the first half and his 2-yard run in overtime gave the Huskies (2-2, 1-0 Pac-12) the lead. California (1-3, 0-1) looked poised to force a second OT, driving with ease to the Washington 2 before Moore's turnover.
Washington's Dylan Morris threw a pair of first-half touchdowns, and the Huskies led 21-10 at halftime.
California quarterback Chase Garbers was solid in the second half, making just one mistake when he was intercepted by Kyler Gordon for the second time early in the fourth quarter.
Garbers was 30-of-41 passing for 319 yards and two touchdowns. He also added another 71 yards rushing. Moore rushed for 67 yards and had a 26-yard TD catch midway through the third quarter.
Garbers hit Jeremiah Hunter for 19 yards to convert one third-down and scrambled for 23 yards on another third-down to reach the Washington 11.
And on the last third-down of the drive, Garbers strolled into the end zone on a designed keeper to tie the game at 24-all with 2:51 left.
Morris threw touchdown passes of 19 yards to Taj Davis and 6 yards to Jalen McMillan as part of an impressive first half. After going three-and-out on its opening possession, Washington scored touchdowns on its next three possessions of the half, capped by McGrew's first TD run.
UP NEXT
Washington: At Oregon State next Saturday.