Kalen DeBoer praises Washington's resilience in rivalry victory over Oregon
It looked like Washington was gearing up for a back-and-forth game entering Saturday’s game against Oregon, and it lived up to the billing. The Huskies and the Ducks traded blows, but it was Kalen DeBoer’s group that came away with a thrilling 36-33 victory.
DeBoer knew the Huskies were capable of handling adversity and finding a way to win. They certainly had to battle as Oregon took a 33-29 lead in the fourth quarter. But Michael Penix Jr. found Rome Odunze for what wound up being the game-winning touchdown with 1:38 to play.
DeBoer expected a close game — and he also expected to win if that was the case.
“We just know we’ve got to keep fighting and keep playing and just keep believing,” DeBoer told ABC’s Holly Rowe after the victory. “We’re built for this. We said it before the game, if it becomes close, we’ll find a way to win.”
Kalen DeBoer on Oregon getting the ball back with 1:38 left: ‘I know with their offense, that’s a lot of time’
Penix had a monster game to help solidify his case as a Heisman Trophy contender. He completed 22 of 37 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns to help lead Washington’s high-powered offense once again.
But the biggest completion came to his favorite target, Odunze, on that 18-yard touchdown with time ticking away. There was still 1:38 left on the clock, though, and DeBoer knew what Oregon’s offense was capable of doing in that amount of time.
He maintained trust in his defense, though, and wanted the players to make sure they fought all the way to the end.
“I know with their offense, that’s a lot of time,” DeBoer said. “It’s going to take a big stop for us. Man, I’m just proud of the way our guys kept playing and playing and playing, and got the stop at the end.”
Washington battled and got a close victory over Oregon last year at Autzen Stadium, and it was another grind-it-out game this time around. DeBoer saw the resiliency in that game, which also showcased the Huskies’ true colors.
All week, in the lead-up to the top-10 showdown, DeBoer kept saying Washington was built for the moment. He knew the Huskies’ ability to battle back was in there.
It was just a matter of when they had to respond.
“We’ve been tested many times,” DeBoer said. “We just know how we’re going to respond. There’s a lot of trust in each other, and that’s what it comes down to.”