Herbert’s fourth TD strike rallies Ducks past Huskies

SEATTLE — For all he’s accomplished in his Oregon career, Justin Herbert had never faced the challenge of rallying from this much of a deficit, on the road and against the Ducks’ most hated rival.

Doing so would all but lock up the Pac-12 North, keep Oregon on the very fringes of the College Football Playoff conversation and put a nail in Washington’s hopes of repeating as conference champs.

“I don’t even think we did that in high school. It was a lot of fun today and glad we got the win,” Herbert said.

Herbert capped Oregon’s rally from a 14-point second-half deficit with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jaylon Redd with 5:10 left, and No. 12 Oregon rallied to beat No. 25 Washington 35-31 on Saturday.

What was expected to be a defensive showdown turned into an offensive shootout with both Herbert and Washington quarterback Jacob Eason taking the spotlight.

Eason was great. Herbert was better.

Down 28-14 after Puca Nacua caught a 33-yard TD pass from Eason on the opening drive of the second half, Oregon’s touted defense finally showed up and gave Herbert a chance to rally the Ducks. The Ducks (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12) pulled within 31-28 on the final play of the third quarter when a well-designed screen pass on fourth down found Mycah Pittman, and the freshman raced untouched 36 yards for the score.

The Ducks’ defense forced consecutive three-and-outs, and Oregon marched its way to the go-ahead score. Between Travis Dye and Cyrus Habibi-Likio, the Ducks went 70 yards in 3½ minutes, and Herbert found Redd in the flat for the final 5 yards and the lead. It was the last of Herbert’s four TD tosses.

Washington (5-3, 2-3) reached the Oregon 38 with 2½ minutes left, but the Huskies were stopped on downs.

Elaine Washington The Associated Press Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert prepares to pass against No. 25 Washington in the No. 12 Ducks’ 35-31 Pac-12 North victory Saturday in Seattle.