Moore's resolve never wavers for Oregon St.

All week, the Beavers' faithful had been calling for Matt Moore's head. The season's ills, from Oregon State's losses to the lackluster downfield passing game, was piled on the senior quarterback.

Even his coach's faith was wavering, with Mike Riley making the decision before the game to give backup Sean Canfield, a redshirt freshman, some snaps in the second quarter.

"It's going to get to Matt a little bit," said junior wide receiver Sammie Stroughter. "But the wide receivers, the offense came around him and said, 'You are the leader of the team. Don't worry about it.'

"He's a warrior. He showed the leadership today."

Moore absorbed a week of heavy criticism and didn't even blink, responding against Washington with one of the best games of his career. He completed 14 of 19 passes for 308 yards, including 241 in the second half and an 80-yard touchdown to Stroughter in the third quarter that gave the Beavers the lead for good.

On that play, which some Beavers afterward described as a possible season-changer, Moore stood in the pocket against an all-out Washington blitz and actually stepped into a defender on the throw.

"As the play was going on, I'm thinking to myself, 'I don't know if I'm going to be able to get this ball off,' " Moore said. "I knew Sammie was wide open."

Stroughter caught seven passes for a career-high 223 yards.

Moore also flashed plenty of fire in the fourth quarter after being pounded on a late hit by Huskies linebacker Scott White, on the same play when Beavers running back Yvenson Bernard scored the game-clinching touchdown.

Moore pointed at White, then screamed and gestured toward his teammates on the sideline.

"It was just emotions, just letting them go," Moore said. "Because I got hit in the mouth, and we scored a touchdown. I just wanted to get it going."

Riley said Moore played outstanding but also credited the once-porous offensive line, which surrendered no sacks after allowing 17 in the previous five games.

The Beavers said the game plan was to set up the pass with the run. Bernard led that cause with 106 yards rushing by halftime. For the game, Bernard finished with 29 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

Michael Ko: 206-515-5653 or mko@seattletimes.com