SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- As Colorado's Jimmie Gilbert dragged Jake Browning to the turf in the third quarter of Friday's Pac-12 championship game, the Washington quarterback -- already playing one of his worst games of the season -- heaved what any coach might deem his worst throw of the night.

It was an interception waiting to happen, a wobbler that floated toward the flat in what seemed like slow motion. Chidobe Awuzie, the Buffaloes' star cornerback, had a bead on it.

But receiver John Ross -- like an outfielder robbing a home run -- soared into the air, stretched his right arm up high and snatched the ball with one hand. As Ross bolted free toward the end zone seconds later, this much was clear: These Huskies can electrify, even when it's not pretty.

Washington spanked Colorado 41-10 to win the Pac-12 championship and remain a favorite to qualify for the College Football Playoff.

Facing a Colorado secondary that entered the game leading the nation in key categories, Browning completed 9 of 24 passes for 118 yards, a measly average of 4.9 yards per attempt. This was a far cry from Washington's 11 victories during the regular season, in which Browning emerged as a national standard of efficiency.

But those struggles didn't matter: The Huskies proved they're a complete team, one that can win a championship game in blowout fashion even with its signature aerial attack grounded.

Myles Gaskin (159 yards) and Lavon Coleman (101 yards) became the first two teammates to surpass 100 rushing yards in Pac-12 championship game history. Even as the Buffs' secondary suffocated Washington's passing in the first half, the Huskies' dynamic running backs barreled forward for better than 6 yards per carry to put their team in control of the game.

Then the Washington defense clamped down. Much has been written about the Huskies' key losses on defense -- they've been playing without leading pass-rusher Joe Mathis and leading tackler Azeem Victor -- but it didn't matter on this night. Washington freshman safety Taylor Rapp intercepted two passes in the third quarter, taking one back to the house. Ezekiel Turner picked off Sefo Liufau a third time to end the stifling frame.

By the time all was said and done, Liufau's quarterback rating for the game sat at negative-9.5.

Washington made sure that there was simply no opening for the Buffs to come back through on this night.

And in winning by 31 points on the biggest stage of the college football night, the Huskies demonstrated their all-around versatility as a team and validated their No. 4 ranking -- the final spot in this season's playoff.