November 7, 1998
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - Akili Smith threw two touchdown passes to Tony Hartley and another to Donald Haynes on Saturday to lead No. 21 Oregon to a 27-22 victory over Washington. Hartley had nine receptions for 242 yards, breaking the school record of 234 yards set by Derrick Deadwiler against California in 1993. Smith finished 19-of-32 for 442 yards, while Washington quarterback Brock Huard was 19-of-37 for 289 yards and two interceptions. Smith prevailed by repeatedly finding Hartley, Haynes and tight end Jed Weaver just when the Ducks needed a big catch. Tailback Herman Ho-Ching returned for Oregon (7-2, 4-2 Pac-10) after missing five games with an injury and performed well except for a fumble in the fourth quarter that allowed the Huskies (5-4, 3-3) a quick touchdown and to threaten over the final two minutes. Oregon led 17-12 at halftime as Smith threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Hartley 2:39 into the second quarter and he also connected with Haynes on a 27-yard play with 2:14 left in the half. Huard put together scoring drives of 82 and 74 yards in the first half. He hit Gerald Harris for a 24-yard TD at 4:33 in the second quarter and found Dane Looker in the end zone with a 10-yard scoring pass with 11 seconds to play in the half. A 40-yard field goal by Joe Jarzynka was the only scoring in the third quarter as the Huskies pulled within 17-15. The Ducks took the lead for good when Smith found Hartley with a 23-yard pass 2:53 into the final quarter. Nathan Villegas added a 42-yard field goal with 7:44 left. Washington backup quarterback Marques Tuaisosopa ran in from two yards on the first play after the Huskies recovered Ho-Ching's fumble with 2:07 to play. Ho-Ching had been sidelined with strained knee ligaments since Oregon's win over San Jose State on Sept. 19. He finished with 47 yards on 17 carries.
By WILLIAM McCALL
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