SEATTLE — Whether the decision was based on falling rain or a desire to let him build confidence, University of Washington quarterback Keith Price started slowly against Oregon State on Saturday night.
Price passed sparingly in the early minutes against the Beavers, and at the end of one quarter he had just three completions for 9 yards. Two of the passes were flat passes — one gained 4 yards to tailback Kendyl Taylor, the other lost 2 yards to Kasen Williams — and the third was a screen pass to tailback Bishop Sankey for 9 yards.
Price did not complete a long downfield pass until just over five minutes before halftime. On second-and-1 from the OSU 36, Price had time in the pocket and found backup tight end Michael Hartvigson down the left sideline.
The pass gained 31 of Price’s 74 first-half passing yards, and gave the Huskies a first-and-goal from the OSU 5. It set up Washington’s first touchdown, a 1-yard plunge by Sankey three plays later.
In the second half, and with the rain holding off, Price tried to throw the ball down the field more often. He finished the game with 194 passing yards.
UW turns the tide
Washington’s win was its second against Oregon State in three years. The Huskies won a thrilling 35-34 double-overtime game at Husky Stadium in 2010, then lost to the Beavers in Corvallis a year ago, 38-21.
Line shuffle
Because of injuries and other lineup changes, the Huskies started the season’s sixth different lineup of interior offensive linemen against the Beavers. Saturday’s starters were Micah Hatchie at left tackle, Dexter Charles at left guard, Drew Schaefer at center, Mike Criste at right guard and Ben Riva at right tackle.
Hatchie and Schaefer have started every game this season at those positions. Charles has started the last six games at left guard, but the right side of the line has seen regular changes. Saturday’s game was just the second start this season for Criste (he started at right tackle vs. Portland State) and the third for Riva (he started at right tackle vs. San Diego State and Arizona).
Welcome back
Saturday’s game was Homecoming for Washington, but it was also a homecoming for Oregon State tight end Connor Hamlett.
Hamlett, a 2010 graduate of Meadowdale High School and a 6-7, 259-pound redshirt sophomore, had a 29-yard touchdown reception with 4:58 to play in the game, allowing the Beavers to tie the score, 17-17, though the Huskies got their game-winning field goal minutes later.
Hamlett finished with three catches for 43 yards, pushing his season totals to 12 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Hamlett had a game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter of a 38-35 victory over Arizona on Sept. 29.
Past heroes
The Huskies are inducting six former athletes into their Hall of Fame, and they were introduced during Saturday’s game. Two football players, Dave Hoffman and Lawyer Milloy, got the biggest cheers.
Also being inducted are tennis player Chet Crile, gymnast Tiffany Simpson, women’s basketball player Giuliana Mendiola, and golfer O.D. Vincent III.
Looking ahead
Washington’s game next week is at California and will be a rare Friday night contest. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. in Berkeley.
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