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After Texas scored a touchdown with 7:23 remaining in the Sugar Bowl on Monday, Washington got the football back leading by just six points and in need of one last drive from from Michael Penix Jr. It was far too early for the Huskies to try and run out the clock, and with the Longhorns one score away from the taking the lead, Washington’s offense had to deliver once more.
Penix rose to the challenge, leading a 65-yard drive that ate 4:43 off the clock that resulted in a critical field goal to help the Huskies secure a 37-31 win over the Longhorns and punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Penix completed 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns, repeatedly dropping precise throws into small windows as Washington racked up 532 total yards.
On the critical fourth quarter drive, he completed a third-down pass to tight end Jack Westover and hit Rome Odunze for a 32-yard gain as the Huskies reclaimed a two-possession lead, which proved significant as the Longhorns mounted a charge in the final three minutes. The throw to Odunze sent Penix over 400 yards for the fourth time this season. He also surpassed 4,600 yards passing for the second season in a row.
Most importantly, the performance helped improve the sixth-year senior to 25-2 in his two seasons as Washington’s starter and set up a showdown between the nation’s No. 1 passing offense and Michigan’s top-ranked defense next Monday at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Washington will be hard-pressed to surpass 500 yards against the Wolverines, who limited Alabama to a season-low 288 yards in the Rose Bowl. No Michigan opponent even surpassed 400 yards this season, while Washington has in 12 of its 14 games. But it would be unwise to bet against Penix,…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/washington-star-qb-michael-penix-jr-adds-to-legacy-with-surgical-performance-in-sugar-bowl-win-over-texas/
Author : David Cobb
Publish date : 2024-01-02 06:41:52
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