The four semifinalists in the NCRC are settled after this weekend’s games, but the final seedings are yet to be decided.

In the game between the top two programs, Western Washington defeated Washington 26-17 to jump into a tie for 1st. Nate Muir led the way for the Vikings up front, powering into rucks and also scoring a key try.

Muir barreled through several Huskies to score and seal the game. Out wide, Oliver Daugherty was fast and elusive and a problem for the UW defense.

Daugherty and Jay Moore touched down as well as Muir, and Noah Hanks kicked a conversion and three penalties in the win. 

Boise State slammed Western Oregon 72-26, and Washington State beat Oregon 34-26. The WSU win over the Ducks meant that Boise State is six points clear of Oregon with one game to go, so Oregon has been eliminated from the playoffs. Turns out that we had one extra bonus point listed for Boise State. That has been fixed, and Oregon is, in fact, in with a shot to make the playoffs. Oregon needs to beat Eastern Washington with a bonus point, and needs Boise State to lose to WWU and not get a bonus point. Then Oregon and Boise State would be tied with the same number of points, and Oregon would win on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Next week, WWU hosts Boise State, and the Western Washington Vikings can put themselves in position to secure 1st with a victory. A week later, WSU hosts Washington. If WSU wins, the Cougars can secure home field advantage in the semifinals. If UW wins that game, then the Huskies are 2nd at minimum, and possibly first.