PULLMAN, Wash. -- Josh Frankel kicked a career-best 47-yard field goal in overtime as No. 7 Oregon beat Washington State 27-24 on Saturday.

It was the third overtime loss this season for the Cougars (3-6, 1-5 Pacific-10 Conference), who also lost starting quarterback Jason Gesser to a broken left leg.

After Frankel's kick, Jed Boice blocked Anousith Wilaikul's 39-yard field-goal attempt to give the Ducks their second consecutive overtime victory.

The Ducks (8-1, 6-0) trailed 17-16 at the half, but Joey Harrington threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Marshaun Tucker, then hit Maurice Morris for the 2-point conversion to tie it at 24 with 9:08 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The game was billed as a match between the top quarterbacks in the Pac-10, but Harrington was left to battle Cougars backup Matt Kegel after Gesser fractured the tibia in his left leg as he was sacked with 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Harrington completed 18 of 39 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown as the Ducks moved a step closer to the Rose Bowl, with games against California and Oregon State remaining.

Kegel, who had a 1-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter, completed 10 of 20 for 107 yards in relief of Gesser, who was 2-of-10 for 35 yards and an interception.

Washington State led 17-16 after Dave Minnich's 2-yard touchdown run that capped a 54-yard drive with 1:47 left in the first half. Minnich carried 25 times for 108 yards and a touchdown.

The Ducks had gone up 16-10 on a 46-yard field goal by Frankel after Rashad Bauman picked off Gesser's pass and ran it back 42 yards for a touchdown.

Oregon scored on its first possession on an 8-yard touchdown pass to Morris from Harrington. The touchdown was set up by a 48-yard pass play from Harrington to Tucker on the Ducks' first play from scrimmage. Tucker caught nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.

Washington State answered with a 56-yard pass play. Gesser pitched to wide receiver Collin Henderson, who threw to Nakoa McElrath streaking down the left sideline to the Oregon 3. Adam Hawkins scored on a 1-yard touchdown.

Wilaikul hit a 41 yard-field goal to make it 10-7.

The overtime win was the second this season for the Ducks, who edged Arizona State 56-55 in double overtime last weekend.

A storm two hours before the game left a half-inch of hail in Martin Stadium. A pickup with a snowplow pushed the ice off the turf, which remained slippery throughout the game.

By JOHN K. WILEY
Associated Press Writer