Team of Destiny: Inside Washington's Legendary 2023 Season

TEAM OF DESTINY

INSIDE WASHINGTON’S LEGENDARY 2023 SEASON

MEET THE EDITORS

CLASS: 2024

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS + GEOGRAPHY

EDITOR IN CHIEF

LUCAS AMRINE

Lucas Amrine is a senior from Chehalis, Washington studying international relations and geography. He has been with The Daily since 2022. Luke can be reached at editor@dailyuw. com, or on X @amrine_luke.

CLASS: 2024

COMMUNICATION

CLASS: 2025

VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN

Ethan is a graduate of the class of 2024 from Bellevue, Washington. He has been with The Daily since 2022. As a lifelong fan of the Huskies, being able to cover UW’s 2022 and 2023 seasons was a dream come true. Ethan can be reached at ethanarles@ comcast.net, or on X @ethanarles.

CLASS: 2025

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Ty is a junior from San Diego, California. While UW’s 2023 season will never be matched, you can find continued coverage of the Huskies for the 2024 season on X @ty_gilstrap.

DESIGN EDITOR ADDITIONAL DESIGNERS

KAI BARNUM

KAYLEE BARTLEY

XENIA CAPCAN

MAYA DOLAN

CHLOE KOH

Chloe is a junior from Bothell, Washington. She is a visual designer who is excited about entertainment design and creative marketing. She has been with The Daily since 2021. Chloe can be reached at design@dailyuw. com, or on X @chloekdesign.

CLASS: 2024

PSYCHOLOGY + DATA SCIENCE

Emma Ottosen is a senior from Seattle, WA. She has been with The Daily since 2020. She can be contacted through email at photo@dailyuw.com, on Instagram at @emottosenphotos or on X @emottosen. Big love to our readers, staff, donors and everyone else who made this project happen!

CLASS: 2025

JOURNALISM + PHOTO MEDIA

Evan Morud is a junior from Kenmore, Washington. He has been with The Daily since 2022 and looks to continue his coverage until his graduation in 2025. Evan can be reached at photodevelopment@dailyuw. com, or on X @emorudphoto.

MARGAUX GUILLET

REID ALEXANDER

COLMAN BEECH

SEAN FAN

NATHAN GOH

MADDY GRASSY

© All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews without the permission in writing from the publisher, The Daily of the University of Washington.

All stories and photographs are the files of The Daily, the student newspaper of the University of Washington. The Daily is partially supported by the Services and Activities Fee and the Student Technology Fee. You can always follow the Huskies in The Daily or online at www.dailyuw.com.

COVER DESIGN BY CHLOE KOH

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN FAN AND MADDY GRASSY

MCKENNA SWEET

SOPHIA VAN BEEK

HOLLAND BURRIS

DIANA KRAMER

ETHAN KILBREATH

EMMA OTTOSEN

TY GILSTRAP

EVAN MORUD

HARDISTY

MARK SUMMER

MARIO TRUJILLO

ARLO ZUCKER

JOHN TOMASIC

WHAT

DOES IT MEAN TO BE A “TEAM OF DESTINY?”

If it means a team has to make it across the finish line and win the whole thing, then, the 2023 Washington football team unfortunately doesn’t fit that bill — our friends over at The Michigan Daily are more than welcome to carry the moniker, though.

The Huskies came one game short of college football immortality. Destiny carried them to Houston, but it couldn’t get them over the Wolverines in a final duel of fates.

Yet, despite the “1” that will forever accompany Washington in the loss column, the loss couldn’t sully such a special season.

“Team of Destiny” is still a fitting title for this book, because the Huskies’ run to the national championship simply felt like it was meant to be.

From Mishael Powell’s pick six to save the game against Arizona State to Elijah Jackson’s Sugar Bowl-winning swat, Washington carried about itself an indescribable feeling that, no matter the circumstance, it was going to find a way to win the game.

21 times in a row — dating back to the week after their loss at Arizona State on Oct. 8, 2022 — the Huskies did find a way to win the game.

Along the way, there were moments that will be remembered as some of the greatest in Washington’s prestigious history.

In the 2023 season alone: A thrilling win

over Oregon that produced a purple tsunami of students swarming the field following the Ducks’ missed field goal as time expired.

A less-expected purple parade commenced in Husky Stadium weeks later, when Washington survived a scare against Washington State and won the Apple Cup to notch a 12-0 regular season.

A Pac-12 championship in the conference’s final season — once again over the team down south.

A Heisman-caliber season by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., which resulted in a runner-up result for the highest finish in Husky history for the biggest honor in college football.

A Sugar Bowl victory, earned them a shot at the national championship for the first time since 1991.

Most importantly, the university — and city of Seattle — came together to rally around the Huskies in a frenzy that hasn’t been seen since the early 1990s.

Our staff, just like you, was honored to be along for the wild ride that felt like it was destined to be.

And as the future of college football continues to grow more uncertain, the Huskies’ 2023 season will never be forgotten — we hope that this documentation from our writers, photographers, and editors makes sure of that.

— ETHAN KILBREATH AND TY GILSTRAP, CO-SPORTS EDITORS

CHAPTER ONE

VS. BOISE STATE

SEPT. 2 at HUSKY STADIUM SEATTLE, WASH.

For a quarter, none of this seemed possible.

Forget the enticing dreams of an undefeated record, a Heisman-caliber campaign, or any College Football Playoff appearances. Because when Washington trailed Boise State by 6 points at the end of the first quarter — the season seemed over as quickly as it started.

But the second quarter vindicated the dreamers.

Beginning with a 7-yard score by junior wide receiver Jalen McMillan in the west end zone, followed by touchdown passes of 38 yards, 44 yards, and 20 yards, respectively, the Huskies posted 28 points alone in the second quarter to gallop past the Broncos in their eventual 56-point win.

Leading the charge was senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whose 450-yard, five touchdown effort answered almost every lingering question from the offseason.

The only one remaining: Was there anything he couldn’t do?

1. Rome Odunze warms up during Washington’s matchup againist Boise State in the season opener Sept 2nd 2023. (NATHAN GOH THE DAILY)

2. Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan is lifted in the air by offensive lineman Parker Brailsford in celebration after McMillan scored a touchdown during Washington’s football game against Boise State on Sept. 2, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

3. Washington tight end Josh Cuevas is tackled into the endzone for a touchdown during Washington’s football game against Boise State on Sept. 2, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM WASHINGTON’S OFFENSIVE OUTPOUR OVER BOISE STATE

TY GILSTRAP THE DAILY

“Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure, makes me want to go back again.”

A line from Jimmy Buffett’s breakthrough album, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” must have stuck with the Washington football team Saturday, as the offense looked much like that of old, pouring on 56 points in an absolute dismantling of the Boise State defense.

But, the Huskies weren’t exactly drifting away in Margaritaville for all of Saturday, with a sedated start raising the blood pressure of the Husky faithful before sprinting past the Broncos with 28 points in the second quarter.

Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s season-opening blowout of Boise State.

SLOW STARTS

For those purely sifting through the box score on Sunday morning, it may be difficult to believe the Huskies struggled at all amid their 56-19 thrashing. But of course, the first 15 minutes didn’t necessarily include the roaring start Washington has become accustomed to. Seven straight touchdowns on opening drives last season made the goose egg of a first quarter a foreign concept, lending itself

to brief Montana flashbacks for a few paranoid Husky fans. Except, when you eventually record 56 points in a game, it’s easy to rewrite opening drive miscues as teaching moments rather than a catastrophe.

“I think now that we have the win, you can look back, and there’s some great things you can learn,” then head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “You can learn from fast starts and how the flow goes, but you can also learn from just some things we didn’t execute well in the first quarter. But our guys really stayed the course, and I didn’t feel like they were rattled. Offense, defense, or special teams, and the second quarter, they really flexed and did some nice things.”

Even for senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whose Heisman hopes rely on near perfection, there was some initial stumbling out of the starting blocks, including an overthrow that cost junior wide receiver Jalen McMillan a wide-open touchdown.

“The pass that I had to McMillan, you know, I was kind of upset about it, but I had to clear out my mind and make sure I was able to get him the ball the next time, and that’s what I was able to do,” Penix said. “Doing things like that will help us continue to win football games.”

A PLETHORA OF PASS CATCHERS

As most expected, McMillan and junior wide receiver Rome Odunze shined Saturday, combining for 227 yards and three touchdowns. But they weren’t the only two that contributed, with sophomore Ja’Lynn Polk recording 101 yards, sophomore Germie Bernard racking in a 27-yard reception, and senior tight end Jack Westover notching 59 yards and a score, allowing the Huskies to tout their depth throughout the afternoon.

“This offense allows for anyone at any position to have success,” Odunze said. “We never know coming into the week who it’s going to be, and depending on what the defense gives to us, everyone has to be ready. That’s how we prepare and week-to-week why we see different people have success.”

The depth becomes all the more important as a replacement for junior running back Cameron Davis failed to reveal themselves on Saturday, with junior Dillon Johnson receiving the first few carries but garnering just 12 yards on seven attempts. Sophomore Will Nixon racked up 48 yards for the afternoon, while senior Richard Newton did not record a carry. Until a reliable running back emerges, the passing attack will remain the offense’s focal point.

This is good news for the plethora of pass catchers that will reap the benefits, whether that’s Westover continuing to build a presence in the middle of the field or McMillan regularly accumulating three-touchdown games. If that continues, there won’t be many happier than Odunze.

“It’s amazing, man,” Odunze said. “[McMillan] deserves it; he works so hard, and I’ve been with him through thick and thin. Every time he has success, it’s a blessing and I thank God for it, and he deserves all that he’s given. I’m excited for him and more to come, I’m sure.”

There’s an unselfishness to this group that’s rare at the highest levels, especially among a receiver position that is so reliant on individual stats. But perhaps what they understand is that, when the offense continues to perform like this, with 490 yards passing and six touchdowns, everyone wins.

“It’s great; they all push each other, and they all make each other better,” DeBoer said. “They all believe and have a lot of fun, and they know they’re going to get the ball if they put in the work all week long and are confident in their route-running and doing the right things.”

Ulumoo Ale charges the quarterback during Washington’s game againist Boise State on September 2, 2023. (NATHAN GOH THE DAILY)

DÉJÀ VU

With 2:16 remaining in the third quarter, co-defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell had a moment of déjá vu.

Lined up in a three-bunch formation, Boise State’s intention was to rifle in a slant to the awaiting redshirt senior Shea Whiting. Of course, this didn’t account for a defensive coordinator who had already seen this look before.

Moments later, junior Kamren Fabiculanan undercut the route for the Huskies’ first interception of the season. Morrell, on the other hand, saw this coming before the ball was even snapped.

“It’s really cool when you sit on the headphones and hear the call, and actually hear coach [Chuck] Morrell say ‘This is a pick,’ and almost know exactly before, when the call is being made, that you know we got a call that he likes,” DeBoer said. “And he executed.”

For a secondary ravaged by injury last season, any turnover is a welcome sight. However, an interception barrage for Washington isn’t unusual in a season opener. Last season, it took just one play before senior safety Asa Turner promptly snagged Kent State’s opening pass of the game — the first of three on the night.

Washington’s defense racked up two on the afternoon, with junior Carson Bruener notching one late in the fourth quarter, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it was smooth sailing. The Broncos built a game plan that allowed redshirt sophomore Taylen Green to throw in rhythm all afternoon and perforate the Husky defense with several screen passes.

Still, when the defense walks away with just

19 points against them, it’s difficult for DeBoer to be entirely disappointed.

“They did a great job of getting off the field,” DeBoer said. “They hit us on a couple tailback screens on the weak side, and probably one over the middle of the field on a deeper ball from the first quarter, so those are things that we’ll be working on tomorrow. We’ll be getting some work on that, but as the game went along, we got some more looks at it and slowed it down later in the game, so I was really proud of the way our defense played.”

While junior cornerbacks Jabbar Muhammad and sophomore Davon Banks excelled Saturday, sophomore corner Elijah Jackson struggled, adding two pass interference penalties to a number of missed tackles and targets.

As for the front seven, it was a struggle to get to Green, with senior linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio recording the only sack on the day. While DeBoer attributes this to an increased focus from Boise State to allow the quarterback to throw in rhythm, it’s reasonable to question if any stock should be placed in junior Bralen Trice and senior Zion Tupuola-Fetui’s five combined tackles. Well, that’s still to be determined.

Contrary to Mike Tyson’s famous saying, the Huskies did have a plan when they were punched in the mouth, surrendering just 192 yards and 7 points for the entirety of the second half. But, much like the running back room, answers weren’t readily apparent on the shape of this rebuilding defense. However, one thing is clear, if the group of eleven continues to limit the damage like they did today, Morrell certainly won’t experience any déjà vu to last season.

KEY STATS

28 Points scored by Washington in the second quarter.

5 Touchdowns thrown by Michael Penix Jr., which ties him for third in UW’s single-game history.

490

Team yards passing, second-most in school history.

227 Combined yards receiving between Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan.

VS. TULSA

CHAPTER TWO 10 43

SEPT. 9 at HUSKY STADIUM SEATTLE, WASH.

Tulsa was set to be the easiest opponent on Washington’s 2023 schedule.

This was certainly a good thing because, even despite some shakiness in the first half, the Huskies were able to coast to a 43-point win.

While it may not have been an A-plus game from Washington — an interception, fumble, and missed field goal hampered what could have been an even bigger blowout — it still covered the massive 32.5 point spread, and backup quarterback Dylan Morris made an appearance midway through the fourth quarter.

It was a welcomed tune-up game for Washington before a trip to East Lansing, Michigan to face Michigan State for UW’s first Power 5 matchup of the season.

UW OUTMATCHES TULSA, COASTS TO 43-10 VICTORY

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

One spin move said it all.

On a fourth-and-1, senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. rolled to his left, where a Tulsa defender awaited him. It was a mere inconvenience for the Huskies’ Heisman candidate, who swiftly spun past the defender, picking up the necessary yardage to move the chains.

It was one quick motion by Penix that amounted to just a 5-yard gain. But that move said it all: even on an afternoon in which the No. 8 Washington football team squandered its share of opportunities, it simply outmatched the visiting Tulsa squad as it cruised to a 43-10 victory.

Had the Huskies been on their A-game, perhaps they could have buried the Golden Hurricane by 40, or even 50 points. But it’s hard to have any qualms with the B+ performance that they displayed, given that it resulted in a stress-free victory and a 2-0 record.

“They’re human,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “It does feel good to know that there is room for improvement — that there is a higher ceiling than we even showed today. We’re going to cherish the wins, and enjoy them, but we’re also going to get back to work, and I have no doubt that’s what this team is going to do tomorrow.”

UW’s mistakes weren’t crippling, but they existed. With a 14-3 lead and the ball on Tulsa’s 27-yard line, Penix uncharacteristically floated the ball over junior receiver Rome Odunze, resulting in his first interception of the season and a touchback for the Golden Hurricane (1-1).

Don’t worry about Penix and his chances at the Heisman trophy, though — he still finished the game completing 28 of 38 passes for 409 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

As outstanding as Penix’s numbers were, they could have been even gaudier. With 45 seconds remaining in the first half, he aired a perfect pass down the left sideline for junior receiver Jalen McMillan, who couldn’t corral what likely would have been a 49-yard touchdown. A few plays later, McMillan fumbled from the red zone, coughing up the Huskies’ chances of a quick score before halftime.

It was a rare misstep by the Huskies’ offense, who entered halftime with a 22-3 lead. But UW didn’t squander any opportunities as the second half began, scoring touchdowns on each of its first two drives to effectively put the game away in the third quarter.

“They’re talented,” McMillan said of his fellow receivers. “Best receiving core in the nation. We just build off each other, and we just keep gaining momentum.”

The first touchdown of the second half was drawn up for sophomore Germie Bernard, who hauled in a 7-yard pass for his first score in Husky purple. Then, Odunze came around on a jet sweep, scoring from 14 yards out on the touchdown run. It was the second touchdown run by a UW receiver in the game, following sophomore Ja’Lynn Polk’s 27-yard touchdown rush in the first quarter, in which the Golden Hurricane defense parted like the Red Sea to allow Polk to waltz into the end zone.

If they haven’t already, UW’s receivers may be knocking on offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s office door Monday morning asking for more carries.

“That’s just [Ryan] Grubb and his rocket science again,” McMillan said. “He always comes up with different formations and different things for us to do, so it’s always cool to do something new every week.”

2

As for McMillan, his drop was a mere footnote in an otherwise stellar second act to his season-opening performance, as he caught eight passes for 120 yards and one touchdown.

“These guys work extremely hard,” DeBoer said. “You know that they’ll recover, and you saw that happen in the second half. They went out and made some really tough catches with guys regrouping, and halftime was at a good time where they could do that, and they came out and played a good second half.”

Cheers to the offense for racing ahead to put the game away, but the Huskies’ passing defense impressed as well for the second consecutive week.

Exhibit A: With Tulsa driving the ball at UW’s 18-yard line facing a 14-3 deficit, junior Kamren Fabiculanan intercepted a pass in the end zone, flipping momentum back to the Huskies.

1. Washington tight end Devin Culp smiles and pats the helmet of offensive lineman Nate Kalepo during UW’s game against Tulsa on Sept. 9, 2023, at Husky Stadium. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

2. Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze catches a pass for a touchdown during UW’s game against Tulsa on Sept. 9, 2023, at Husky Stadium. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

“Our goal is to have two turnovers every game, and three if possible,” Fabiculanan said. “It’s just our goal and our mindset to take away the ball.”

For Fabiculanan, it was a second consecutive game with an interception after going the first 20 games of his college career without one.

“It’s a surreal moment,” Fabiculanan said. “It’s a lot of my hard work paying off, respecting the game and the game will respect me.”

UW held Tulsa to just 150 yards passing, with its sole touchdown coming via an inconsequential score in the fourth quarter.

The Huskies will hope to bring their A-game next week, with a major matchup upcoming at Michigan State.

1. Washington edge Bralen Trice rushes the pass during UW’s game against Tulsa on Sept. 9, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

2. Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze makes his way across the field while dodging Tulsa’s defense during UW’s game against Tulsa on Sept. 9, 2023, at Husky Stadium. (SEAN FAN THE DAILY)

120 Yards receiving by Jalen McMillan

409 Yards passing by Michael Penix Jr.

KEY STATS

11.4 Yards per pass for Washington

1 First UW touchdown for wide receiver Germie Bernard

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze celebrates with tight end Jack Westover after catching a touchdown during UW’s game against Tulsa on Sept. 9, 2023, at Husky Stadium. (EVAN

)

MORUD THE DAILY

MORUD THE DAILY

EVAN

CHAPTER THREE

VS. MICHIGAN STATE

41 7

SEPT. 16 at SPARTAN STADIUM

EAST LANSING, MICH.

When Washington dispatched Boise State and Tulsa at home in its first two games of the season, it was more or less the expectation.

But when the Huskies went on the road and throttled the Spartans, 417, they set an entirely new expectation for the season.

Sure, Michigan State was in a down year rife with coaching turmoil. But a Big Ten test on the road is still exactly that, a test. So when Washington flexed its muscles, jumping out to an eye-popping 35-0 lead in the first half, and totaling 713 yards in the game, it redefined the ceiling for the team.

If reaching the College Football Playoff wasn’t a realistic expectation before, it certainly became one on that September evening in East Lansing.

1. Washington wide receiver Germie Bernard celebrates with wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk during UW’s game against Michigan State on Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. Bernard scored the first touchdown of the game for UW. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

2. Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk celebrates after scoring a touchdown during UW’s game against Michigan State on Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

HUSKIES THWACK SPARTANS IN EAST LANSING BEHIND PENIX’S HEISMANWORTHY SHOWING

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

EAST LANSING, MICH — Washington and Michigan State will be in the same conference beginning in 2024.

The Spartans are bound to wreak some havoc in future years, but they did not belong on the same field as the Huskies Saturday evening.

While thousands of MSU fans packed the stadium to watch their team go to war in spite of turmoil within the program, Spartan Stadium was no battleground when No. 8 UW arrived. Instead, it was merely a canvas for Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies to paint a masterpiece on a grand stage in a 41-7 rout of the Spartans.

“[We are] super excited about the way the guys came ready to play today,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “We know that this is an amazing environment, and our guys were fired up to kind of make a statement. Just proud of the way we played.”

A statement was certainly made, and it was a resounding one: The Huskies are every bit deserving of their seat at the big boys table as any other team.

Touchdowns against Boise State and Tulsa are one thing, but doing it against Michigan State just means more. Coaching turmoil aside, the Spartans are a high-caliber, Big Ten team full

of talent that was bound to pose a threat to the visiting Huskies. But apparently, Penix did not get that memo.

The Huskies’ Heisman front runner made Michigan State look unrecognizable from their stature, completing 27 of 35 passes for 473 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

“[Penix has] done that against a lot of other teams, too,” DeBoer said. “The cool thing is he just goes about his business — he’s not going to be any different tomorrow when he steps on the football field.”

Penix covered all his bases in just three and a half quarters of play, but where to begin?

For starters, a long drive resulted in sophomore Germie Bernard running in a touchdown from one yard out, in a fitting narrative against his former team to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead.

Then there was a hat trick of touchdowns to senior tight end Jack Westover, who’s openness has become as reliable as Aladdin’s at 2 a.m. on a weeknight. Westover compiled scores from 5, 13, and 7 yards out as the Huskies ran up the score.

And sometimes, good teams just happen to get a little lucky.

On a ball batted into the air, sophomore

receiver Ja’Lynn Polk snatched it out of the atmosphere, then jotted downfield and into the end zone for a 30-yard score.

“It’s just being ready, and taking advantage of every opportunity,” Polk said. “I remember back in one of the practices, we did something called red ball, and one of the balls was tipped and it was a similar situation. You never know when that moment is going to come, on a type of play like that, and you always just have to be ready and be prepared for that moment.”

Polk may be urging the Big Ten commissioner to put Sparty on UW’s schedule next year — in the past two years, Polk has combined for 10 catches, 266 yards, and four touchdowns against Michigan State.

The Huskies got some help from lady luck, but it’s not like they needed much of it. By the end of the first half, their lead was already an insurmountable 35-0, with Penix leading the charge with four touchdown passes.

“I’m blessed to be able to play for coach [DeBoer] and coach Grubb,” Penix said. “They just make it easy. Plus, having the best receiving corps in the nation, the offensive line blocking their tails off every play, running backs making blocks in the pass game, it’s just so many things you can look at to the success we’ve had.”

In the second half, the silence was deafening at a formerly-rowdy Spartan Stadium. In what was once a lively crowd,

the only sounds were the cheers and hollers of Husky players as they tacked onto the score and continued to shut down the Spartans.

Penix effortlessly distributed the ball to his top-notch receiving corps, including eight catches for 180 yards by junior Rome Odunze.

“I think he’s the best quarterback in the nation,” Odunze said. “Week in and week out, he goes out there and proves it, whether it’s ridiculous throws or making a move on a play.”

The offense took the game and ran with it, but it would be almost criminal to mention the defense this late in a recap in which it could be the lede. UW held Michigan State quarterback Noah Kim to 12 of 31 passing for 136 yards, zero touchdowns, and an interception, and kept the Spartans shutout until late in the fourth quarter.

In the Huskies’ biggest test yet, the defense turned in their best performance.

On a big stage, on national television (okay, fine, Peacock), the Huskies proved that they could not only keep pace in their future conference, they could be dominant.

“We came out here and knew that there couldn’t be any excuses, whatever they may be,” DeBoer said. “Our guys came out, and really just set the tone.”

1. Washington edge Zion Tupuola-Fetui celebrates with the football during UW’s game against Michigan State on Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. There was no fumble on the play, but Tupuola-Fetui recorded a sack. (NATHAN GOH THE DAILY)

2. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. passes the football during UW’s game against Michigan State on Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

3. Washington defensive back Mishael Powell guards MSU wide receiver Tre Mosley during UW’s game against Michigan State on Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

4. Washington defenders Carson Bruener and Voi Tunuufi tackle MSU running back Jordon Simmons during UW’s game against Michigan State on Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

KEY STATS

713

Total yards of offense gained by Washington.

35

First-half points scored by the Huskies.

473

Yards passing by Michael Penix Jr., along with four touchdowns on 27 for 35 passes.

180 Yards receiving by Rome Odunze.

EVAN MORUD THE DAILY

CHAPTER FOUR

VS. CALIFORNIA

SEPT. 23 at HUSKY STADIUM

SEATTLE, WASH.

Before that late September night against Cal, the Washington football team was decried as too one-dimensional.

Which might be fair, given that senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had already racked up 1,332 yards and 12 touchdowns in three contests — leaving little work for the remaining members of the ensemble.

So senior linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio and junior wide receiver Rome Odunze took matters into their own hands.

On the first defensive possession, Ulofoshio hauled in his first career interception and returned it for a 45-yard score. And on Cal’s first punt of the night, Odunze hauled in on his own 17-yard line, and then promptly returned 83 yards to the house.

14-0 Huskies, and Penix hadn’t even thrown a pass.

Time for the doubters to find a new slant.

1. Washington’s wide reciever, Rome Odunze, before UW’s game against the Cal Bears on September 23rd, at Husky Football Stadium. (ALEXANDER REID THE DAILY)

2. Washington wide receivers celebrating together after #2 Jalen Polk takes the ball to the endzone the California Golden Bears on Sept. 23rd, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington. The Washnigton Huskies won this PAC-12 conference opener with the score of 59-32.

(MARIO TRUJILLO THE DAILY)

3. Huskies wide reciver #2 Ja’Lynn Polk receiving a eight yard pass from #9 Michael Penix Jr putting the Huskies up 21-6 vs. the California Golden Bears on Sept. 23rd, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington. The Washnigton Huskies won this Pac-12 conference opener with the score of 59-32. (MARIO TRUJILLO THE DAILY)

4. Washington edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui celebrating after a Washnigton stop forcing a punt vs. the California Golden Bears on Sept. 23rd, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington. (MARIO TRUJILLO THE DAILY)

THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM WASHINGTON’S 59-32 WIN OVER CAL

TY GILSTRAP THE DAILY

A few minutes before the No. 7 Washington football team exited the locker room, Alaska Airlines Field was momentarily entrenched in darkness.

Seconds later, the recently installed LED lights high above Husky Stadium illuminated the field with a flickering light show, welcoming college football’s greatest on-the-field spectacle with an off-the-field extravaganza to match. Paired with an assortment of purple pyrotechnics, the scene was enough to rival Prince’s signature music video of “Purple Rain.”

But with the lights dimmed more often than not throughout the night behind the plethora of scores, Washington firmly cemented a burning national spotlight on Seattle.

Kirk Herbstreit asserted that Washington may be the best team in college football on ESPN’s College GameDay, Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports firmly declared the Huskies a “wagon,” and national media everywhere are taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to ask why analysts, otherwise known as themselves, have overlooked a team that went 11-2 last season and hosts the nation’s best player at the helm of the offense.

Goodbye, East Coast bias. Hello, United States. Welcome back to Montlake.

Here are three takeaways from Washington’s demolition of Cal on Saturday night.

GETTING “GREEDY”

As difficult as it is to believe, there was a time before Deion Sanders’ presence ruled over the University of Colorado. And that team was really bad.

When the Huskies welcomed the Buffaloes to Husky Stadium for a late-season showdown last year, sophomore safety Makell Esteen intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to notch his second pick of the year and the Huskies’ seventh of the season.

After coming up empty in the Apple Cup and Alamo Bowl, Esteen’s nab

turned out to be Washington’s last turnover of the season, perhaps fitting given the decimated state of last year’s secondary.

But this year, even with periodic losses of senior safety Asa Turner, junior safety Kamren Fabiculanan, and sophomore cornerback Davon Banks, the Huskies have already notched seven interceptions in just four games — due in large part to a three-interception night against Cal.

Even after matching last season’s total, junior cornerback Jabbar Muhammad attests that this defense isn’t close to satisfied; he wants this unit to get greedy.

“There’s some stuff that we need to clamp down on for us to be perfect,” Muhammad said. “We want to be greedy, so we need to get more takeaways and things like that. But we’re getting better each and every week.”

Beyond the interception total, the Huskies have certainly improved as a defensive unit. Sure, the Golden Bears meandered their way to 32 points Saturday night — but only once the starters had largely been removed after allowing just 12 points into the second half.

The run defense has been stout so far, limiting standout sophomore running back Jaydn Ott to just 43 yards on 14 attempts, averaging a little over 2.9 yards per carry.

When complemented with three interceptions from the secondary, Cal’s already precarious offense was left with little to work with. The defense has been playing with confidence so far, something head coach Kalen DeBoer attributes to a “contagious” energy within the locker room.

“The turnovers, in the last couple of weeks, we’re just attacking defensively,” DeBoer said. “Those things become contagious, and you’re excited, and you can’t wait to go make that next play. An interception or big hit, whatever that might be.”

BLAZING FAST START

On a typical night, Cal may have celebrated using a little less than 10 minutes of game action before the nation’s Heisman front-runner stepped onto the field. Typically, this would result from a methodical, hard-nosed drive pieced together by the Golden Bears that burned the clock and resulted in a few points.

But Saturday night was far from normal, as senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s delayed appearance stemmed from a pick six from senior linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio and a punt return taken to the house from junior wide receiver Rome Odunze.

Before a number of Husky faithfuls had taken their seats, Washington was already ahead 14 points.

Which may have been one of the few normal moments of the night.

According to SportSource Analytics, Washington has taken 69% of its snaps when leading by 14+ points. The next closest: USC, with 58% of its snaps.

It’s almost unfathomable to be that far ahead of any opponent for that long of a stretch. But it’s one of the few statistics that demonstrates just how dominating this Husky team has been.

“We call it a starving mindset,” DeBoer said. “The guys are just beyond hungry and willing to do anything to get on that football field and go make plays. It just goes back to how we had a lot of guys that made big decisions to return, and I think you see that passion come out. The love for the game comes out in their energy. We never take anything for granted.”

Of course, jumping ahead to large leads is easy to do given the explosive capabilities that Washington withholds.

According to Fornelli, the Huskies lead the nation’s explosive play rate, with 23.3% of its plays either picking up 12 yards rushing or 20 yards passing.

This almost seems

contradictory given how often Washington is ahead of its opponents, which often brings more conservative play-calling with it.

But the Huskies don’t quite believe in that philosophy.

“We don’t relax, we never relax,” Penix said. “We want to make sure we score every time we get the ball; that’s our mentality. If the offense is on the field, we’re trying to score.”

KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE HUSKIES

We can have an honest conversation about Washington’s opponents without laying down cupcakes on the turf of Husky Stadium. That is, the Huskies haven’t exactly faced the cream of the crop in terms of football talent so far.

Boise State and Tulsa are Group of Five opponents, Michigan State is an ongoing dumpster fire with off-the-field scandals, and Cal could best be described as an academic school.

All that’s to say, the Huskies can’t necessarily point to their schedule when making an argument for why it ought to climb to the top of the Top 25 rankings. But that doesn’t mean credit shouldn’t be bestowed for not rolling over and playing down to its opponent’s level.

Washington has now notched four consecutive 40-point outings for the first time since 1944, and it achieved that mark before even reaching halftime against Cal. The Huskies have outright dominated its lesser opponents — a claim a handful of other opponents can’t necessarily share. Florida State against Boston College. University of Southern California against Arizona State. Alabama against South Florida. The list goes on.

The first test certainly doesn’t await in Tucson, especially after Arizona escaped Stanford with just a one-point victory, but if Washington dominated just as it did against Cal, there certainly shouldn’t be any knocks counted against this team.

MARIO TRUJILLO THE DAILY

KEY STATS

45 Points in the first half for Washington, tying a school record.

2

Players with over 100 yards receiving, Rome Odunze (125) and Ja’Lynn Polk (127).

1

First career interception for graduate linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (and pick six).

83 Yards returned on Rome Odunze’s punt return touchdown.

Huskies wide receiver #2 Ja’Lynn Polk receiving a 24-yard pass from #9 Michael Penix Jr putting the Huskies up 38-12 VS. the California Golden Bears on Sept. 23rd, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Washington Huskies won this Pac-12 conference opener with the score of 59-32. (MARIO TRUJILLO THE DAILY)

1. Washington’s wide reciever, Rome Odunze, runs it into the endzone for the Huskies’ second touchdown of their game against California on Sept. 23 at Husky Stadium. (ALEXANDER REID THE DAILY)

2. Washington edge rusher Zion Tupuola-Fetui celebrating after a Washnigton stop forcing a punt against the California Golden Bears on Sept. 23rd, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington. (MARIO TRUJILLO THE DAILY)

3. Washington’s Linebacker, Carson Bruener, during the Huskies’ game against the Cal Bears on Sept. 23, 2023 at Husky Stadium on Montlake. (ALEXANDER REID THE DAILY)

CHAPTER FIVE

VS. ARIZONA

31 24

SEPT. 30 at ARIZONA STADIUM TUCSON, ARIZ.

It was difficult to not leave Arizona Stadium a tad bit disappointed.

Perhaps it was the zero-touchdown effort from senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr., or the too-close-for-comfort 31-24 victory over an Arizona team that had just finished 1-11 two seasons prior that raised red flags.

But maybe we just didn’t have the full picture at the time.

Like how the four combined rushing touchdowns from junior Dillon Johnson, sophomore Germie Bernard, and sophomore Will Nixon ignited Washington’s ground game for the remainder of the season. Or how the Wildcats finished the year as an AP Top 15 team — bolstering the Huskies resumé each step of the way.

So that night in Tucson may not have played out exactly how the traveling Husky faithful may have hoped.

But it was instrumental for what was to come.

1. Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson runs to score a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during a football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Arizona Stadium.

(MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

2. Washington Huskies’s Dillon Johnson celebrates after a run against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Arizona Stadium.(MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

3. Washington’s Dillon Johnson celebrates after a rush against the Arizona Wildcats during a football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Arizona Stadium. The Huskies won 31-24.

(MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

WASHINGTON HAS PATIENCE TESTED IN NARROW WIN OVER ARIZONA

TY GILSTRAP THE DAILY

TUCSON, ARIZ. — The life of a farmer is a patient one.

After faithfully planting their seeds in the spring, there’s little left to do but wait until the first days of fall begin with the impassively gazing Harvest Moon. Only at the very end, after patiently enduring the adversity of the season, is the farmer rewarded with a plentiful harvest.

And on Saturday night, as a Harvest Moon steadily rose above an impassioned student section in the western half of Arizona Stadium, the Washington football team certainly had its patience tested. But in the end, it was ultimately rewarded with a 31-24 victory over Arizona in front of a sell-out crowd.

It wasn’t a pretty win, but hardly anything on a farm ever is.

Saturday’s victory, however, is a rewarding one, proving that despite a shaky defensive effort and a relative lack of success downfield, the Huskies (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) still had enough to take down formidable Pac-12 competition and maintain an undefeated record.

There wasn’t a struggle to score out of the gates for Washington, but the fashion in which they did so was unique from weeks past.

After the Wildcats (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) booted a 69-yard punt down the field on their opening drive, Washington’s offense began the night on their own five-yard line. As most expected, the Huskies opened the scoring, but perhaps in an unexpected fashion, did so on a 12-play, 95-yard scoring drive that took 6:59 to execute.

Compared with the three-play, 95-yard drive the Huskies put together in 1:39 back in East Lansing, it felt as if a century of game time had been used when sophomore running back Dillon Johnson finally broke the goal line for the four-yard score.

For most offenses, the quick drive would be considered a statistical anomaly. For Washington, the reverse is true.

But the molasses-esque drives, at least by Washington’s standards,

continued throughout the first half of the game. A more patient approach to the end zone was required, especially as Arizona did everything within its power to prevent junior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. from tearing apart the defense like he did last season when he set a school passing record with 516 yards.

“They were playing safe and making us earn it, playing the field position game with us there early,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said.

But even with an offensive approach that was practically the antithesis of the explosive, efficient offense we have become accustomed to, the Huskies still pieced together three touchdowns on their first four drives of the game. The rushing attack was the driving force behind the early success, especially from within the red zone.

Sophomore Germie Bernard punched in a 3-yard score on the second drive, while sophomore running back Will Nixon racked up a 5-yard touchdown later in the half to cap off a 12-play, 73-yard drive in 5:58.

Johnson in particular shined throughout the night, picking up 91 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns.

“Man, he’s amazing,” Penix said. “He comes with the same attitude every day and he’s a guy that’s going to run the ball north and south. We’re just glad that he came here to us from Mississippi State. He’s been a big add-on for us and he’s going to continue to make big-time plays for us down the road.”

“Dillon has really become a workhorse for us, catching the ball out of the backfield and making the first guy miss,” DeBoer said. “He’s running through arm tackles and carrying the pile.”

In a testament to Arizona’s improved success in the secondary, Penix notched 223 yards passing at the half but no touchdowns and no passing plays beyond 23 yards. All things considered, it was a relatively tame start, at least by his standards.

Penix was hardly the lone atypical start, as the defense struggled to put any pressure on the inexperienced redshirt freshman quarterback Noah Fifita. Across the first 30 minutes of game action, the Huskies failed to record a single quarterback hurry or sack.

But Saturday night was all about patience. And early in the third quarter, it felt as if it was finally paying off.

A little less than five minutes after the break, Washington finally worked its way into the backfield, as junior Bralen Trice picked the perfect time for his first sack of the season to secure a 3-yard loss and a Wildcat punt.

Four plays later, Penix connected with sophomore tight end Josh Cuevas for a 57-yard gain to advance to Arizona’s 16-yard line, setting up a Johnson rush into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 28-10.

Early in the fourth quarter, sophomore Vincent Nunley stepped in front of a Fifita pass to secure the first interception of the night and the first pick of his career to hand the Huskies a decent field position and a chance to put the game out of reach.

“The takeaway was huge,” DeBoer said. “It was a great chance for us to really just extend the lead. That was a big momentum swing.”

But then, the patience was ultimately tested.

Shortly after Nunley’s interception, Bernard fumbled on the 3-yard line to spoil what was a premier red-zone opportunity. A few drives later, Arizona found the end zone once more, notching a 10-yard touchdown reception to bring the score to 31-24.

And much like a heavy rainstorm just before the fall equinox, it started to feel as if all the patience may be for naught. The crops were going to be washed away, and a win was destined to slip from the Huskies’ grasp.

But shortly after, junior wide receiver Rome Odunze clamped his paws on the onside kick to stop the damage and secure the win for Washington.

The crops had survived another season. Washington won the football game. Playoff hopes remain alive.

With a taxing slate of Pac-12 games still left to be played, a night like tonight, where the Huskies struggled to reach their full potential both offensively and defensively, is destined to occur. But let tonight also be a reminder that a team of this capability deserves a little patience.

After all, they’re already learning how to prepare for the next harvest season.

“When you play close games, you know what it feels like to answer the bell and come up with a play,” DeBoer said. “And there’s also moments where we learned from, where we missed opportunities to position ourselves with a greater difference in the score.”

Washington is provided ample time to learn from today’s showdown with a bye week in store before it welcomes Oregon to Montlake on Saturday, Oct. 14.

MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY

KEY STATS

4

Combined rushing touchdowns scored by Dillon Johnson, Germie Bernard, and Will Nixon.

0 Touchdowns thrown by Michael Penix Jr.

18 Yards picked up by Arizona in the first quarter.

5-0 Washington’s record for the first time since 2017, and the ninth time since World War II.

MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY

1. Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita throws an interception against the Washington Huskies during a football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Arizona Stadium. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

2. Washington Huskies’s Rome Odunze celebrates after Will Nixon scored a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Arizona Stadium. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

3. Washington Huskies’s Michael Penix Jr. high fives fans after a football game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 at Arizona Stadium. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

CHAPTER SIX

VS. OREGON

OCT. 14 at HUSKY STADIUM SEATTLE, WASH. EVAN MORUD THE DAILY

The image of Camden Lewis’ wide-right field goal will be ingrained in the minds of the Husky Faithful for years to come.

But the sound from that mid-October afternoon will linger for far longer.

Like when purple pandemonium poured onto the turf of Husky Stadium to the turn of Prince’s “Purple Rain.”

Or the roar that continually pushed the decibel meter on the east end zone video board well beyond 130 — certainly loud enough for the 1992 team to practically hear it from their homes.

Maybe even when that raucous crowd introduced themselves to a national audience on ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast from Red Square in the early hours of the morning.

The visual of Washington’s 36-33 win over Oregon was striking.

But that wouldn’t be the last time this season.

The sound that filled the ears of 71,321 inside Husky Stadium may never be heard again.

1. Washington wide receiver, Ja’Lynn Polk, holds onto the ball for a touchdown during Washington’s matchup against Oregon on Oct. 14th 2023 at Husky Stadium. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2. Washington linebacker, Edefuan Ulofoshio, makes a huge play with a sack against Oregon QB, Bo Nix, during Washington’s football game against Oregon on Oct. 14th, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

3. Washington football fans show up in droves and pack the stands to witness history in the making during Washington’s football game against Oregon on Oct. 14th, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2 3

SATURDAY PROVED WASHINGTON IS BUILT FOR BIG MOMENTS

TY GILSTRAP THE DAILY

Surrounded by students shuffling to their Friday evening classes, sophomore student Greyson Wilhelm and his buddy planted down two lawn chairs in Red Square at 4:30 p.m. — nearly 16 hours before ESPN’s College GameDay was scheduled to hit the airwaves the next morning.

Armed with just a backpack full of snacks and perhaps a questionable decision to wear shorts ahead of forecasted rain, the pair dreamed of an opportunity to take a kick with the highest stakes a college student can possibly imagine. $60,000.

After baiting the eccentric Pat McAfee into an invitation with a “Kicking Is Easy” sign, Wilhelm stepped up for the kick of a lifetime in front of a rowdy Seattle crowd and millions of viewers from home.

He pulled it far left.

But thankfully for Wilhelm, his story didn’t end there. An emerging “one more kick” chant from the crowd eventually persuaded the apprehensive McAfee to lend the sophomore one more chance, this time for half the money.

This time, he nailed it.

But for the purposes of this story, we’ll keep a focus on Wilhelm’s first kick and the six prior contestants from weeks past who missed the kick. After all, McAfee debuted the segment to convey the punishing life of a kicker. Sure, it’s fun to focus on the grueling hits kickers avoid or the occasional workout they can skip, but far too often we omit the incredible pressure that accompanies the job.

Which is something Oregon’s senior kicker Camden Lewis proved once again when he emerged from the white

and black-speckled sideline for the game-tying kick.

That one wasn’t for $60,000. It was for far more.

Another win in a storied 115-year rivalry. Perhaps a slot in the College Football Playoff. Free drinks in Eugene.

And no matter what Monday morning kickers may try to tell you, you can’t discount the pressure of the moment. While it can help mold diamonds, it can also destroy seasons, and as the kick sailed right, a chance to redeem last season’s collapse slipped from their fingers.

Unlike Wilhelm’s story earlier in the day, there would be no second chance. Oregon’s Cinderella story had hit midnight.

But to focus strictly on the missed kick does a disservice to the unfathomable comeback Washington had orchestrated just minutes before. After all, with 2:21 remaining in the fourth quarter, and a 33-29 lead in its back pocket, Oregon had held a 96.6% win probability according to ESPN Stats and Information.

So when the Ducks approached a fourth-and-three late in the fourth quarter, the game was effectively over, at least for those playing on paper. And that may have been the case if Oregon had followed the logic of years past, one that called for a coffin corner punt to suppress any hope of a Husky comeback.

But we’re in a modern age of coaching, one that places aggressiveness above all else. So the ever-analytical Oregon head coach Dan Lanning elected to leave his offense on the field, surprising most of the sporadically placed Duck fans in the crowd. But not necessarily the Husky defense.

“They were doing it the whole game,” junior cornerback Jabbar Muhammad said. “I had questioned the first couple, like why aren’t they taking the points, but I mean I guess that’s just them.”

After failing to convert on two fourth-down tries earlier in the game, the Ducks’ attempt came up short once again, with senior quarterback Bo Nix’s pass falling incomplete after targeting junior wide receiver Tez Johnson.

And for all the questions the defense has dealt with, in the most important play of their season they came up when it mattered most. Forget a lackluster pass rush or a struggle to stop the run — they had completely upended the momentum and placed the offense in a position to win the game.

“A lot of the time, they [attempted fourth-down conversions] in our territory,” Muhammad said. “It turned into big momentum plays. The crowd gets into it and we were able to feed off that.”

From there, senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. completed passes of 35 and 18 yards in sequential fashion, with the latter notching junior wide receiver Rome Odunze’s sixth touchdown of the season and delivering a 36-33 lead over the Ducks with 1:38 remaining in the game.

“It was man-on-man, my guy versus their guy,” Penix said. “I’m going to take my guy everytime. And Rome shows each and every day why he’s the top receiver in the nation, and he knew that I was going to trust him and I gave him that route and we made it happen. That’s stuff we do all the time in practice, and every game you see it, I trusted it and I made the play and he made the play.”

Left with one last shot, the Ducks put together a methodical effort to make their way to the

Huskies’ 25-yard line with a little over 20 seconds remaining. But on the final two offensive plays of the game, Washington’s defense forced another two incompletions from Nix, forcing a lengthy 43-yard field goal for the tie.

You know the rest of the story.

As is the nature of sports, failures often take precedence over success stories. So across front pages and morning shows, the story will inevitably be the missed field goal. This likely won’t be to the chagrin of the Husky faithful, who are always eager to revel in the failures of those down in Eugene. But placing a spotlight on a wide-right field goal fails to acknowledge the true story of the game — Washington’s ability to step up in big moments.

With the clock slowly trickling down and all of the momentum seemingly in Oregon’s hands, the defense delivered two enormous stops, which ultimately allowed the offense to reclaim the lead. As he seemingly always does, Penix delivered, working through his fair share of cramping in the fourth quarter to claim his Heisman moment.

With ESPN’s College GameDay in attendance, millions of viewers tuning in from home, and Husky Stadium rivaling the 1992 decibel record,

it wasn’t Washington’s defense that crumbled under the pressure. Nor was it the team’s star quarterback.

It was Oregon.

Hours after one of the most thrilling finishes in Husky history, it’s difficult to feel as if any moment will surpass this one. But the pressure will continue to grow as the season grows closer to November and a New Years’ Six Bowl or the College Football Playoff comes into view.

But if there’s one thing to take away from this afternoon, it’s that the Huskies are made for these moments.

“At this point, when we do go down the road and we do see those good teams, we’ve been here before,” Muhammad said. “Nothing is going to rattle us, we didn’t fold under the pressure today. It was a big test, but at the end of the day it just goes to show the preparation we put in during the week and the leaders that are on this team.”

The Husky faithful may not be able to withstand the late-game anxiety for much longer, but as the moments keep getting bigger, this Washington squad isn’t just prepared for it.

They revel in it.

EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY

KEY STATS

0:33

1 Missed field goal from Oregon’s Camden Lewis.

Length of Washington’s game-winning touchdown drive.

100

First 100-yard rushing performance in Dillon Johnson’s collegiate career.

71,321

Largest crowd in Husky Stadium since 2016 against USC.

EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY

CHAPTER SEVEN

VS. ARIZONA STATE

7 15

OCT. 21 at HUSKY STADIUM SEATTLE, WASH.

There’s no reasonable explanation for why Washington should have won this game.

The blunders were abundant.

The turnovers were plentiful.

The sloppiness was ceaseless.

Any chances of a College Football Playoff berth should have been erased for the second consecutive year at the hands of the Sun Devils. And yet, somehow, the Huskies managed to claw out a 15-7 win with zero offensive touchdowns, 13 net yards rushing, and four turnovers. And it came from an improbable 89-yard pick six from O’Dea product Mishael Powell — the hometown hero.

The only explanation: Arizona State met a team of destiny.

1. Linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala communciates with the defense against Arizona State University on Oct. 21, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (MARK SUMMER THE DAILY)

2. Linebacker Zion Zion TupuolaFetui celebrates a third down stop against Arizona State University on Oct. 21, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (MARK SUMMER THE DAILY)

3. Safety Mishael Powell hypes up the defense before the game against Arizona State University on Oct. 21, 2023 at Husky Stadium. (MARK SUMMER THE DAILY)

IN UNEXPECTED FASHION, WASHINGTON

HOLDS ON FOR 15-7 VICTORY OVER ARIZONA STATE

TY GILSTRAP

If one had taken a straw poll of the 68,379 on hand for the game against Arizona State, it’s unlikely many of them would’ve predicted a night without any offensive touchdowns for the explosive No. 5 Washington football team.

And of those respondents, maybe a fraction would’ve predicted that junior cornerback Mishael Powell would return an 89-yard pick six to hand the Huskies (7-0, 4-0 Pac-12) a lead midway through the fourth quarter, and ultimately, a gritty 15-7 win.

But even among that incalculably small number, it would’ve been nearly inconceivable for any of them to predict that the Central District Panthers, a youth football team based just outside of downtown Seattle, would receive a shoutout in the night’s postgame interviews.

Alas, that was the night that unfolded for Washington, one in which the offense sputtered and stalled in nearly all of its drives, impeded by a staggering four turnovers.

It was particularly rough sledding for senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whose 275-yard and zero-touchdown performance was closer to U2’s “Pop” or “Zooropa,” than his “The Joshua Tree”-esque performance in last week’s win over Oregon.

In other words, it was a low point for the figure who’s transformed into a national phenomenon.

It was apparent just three plays into the Huskies’ first offensive possession, when Penix’s pass came up considerably short of the awaiting Rome Odunze and was promptly snagged by Arizona State’s redshirt junior defensive back Ro Torrence for the first interception of the night.

Coming off considerably the biggest game of the season against Oregon, an early hangover was as predictable as it will be for a number of students waking up on fraternity row Sunday morning.

But two drives later, and 7 yards out from the end zone, another Penix pass found its way to the hands of a Sun Devil (1-6, 0-4 Pac-12), this time after being tipped at the line of scrimmage. The interception was the senior quarterback’s fifth of the season and squandered a prime red zone opportunity to break the scoreless affair.

All of a sudden, it was more akin to waking up with a hangover Tuesday morning — which is a bit more worrisome.

But the de facto benefit of playing Arizona State is that amid a copious amount of blunders, there wasn’t any real danger of the visiting

side running up the score, even amid a tackling performance from the Washington defense that almost out-paced the New Orleans Saints’ effort in Marshawn Lynch’s “Beast Quake.”

Except, when the mistakes keep coming, eventually the other side is going to capitalize.

And after Penix fumbled on Arizona State’s 46-yard line midway through the second quarter, the Sun Devils finally pieced together an eight-play, 47yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard rush up the middle for a touchdown to notch the first score of the game.

Washington responded with a field goal late in the half to get on the board, but at the midway point, the Huskies were trailing arguably the Pac12’s worst team by four points.

Remember the straw poll? That wasn’t even an outcome suggested.

But the Huskies had deferred the earlier coin toss, and after a brief intermission filled with fiery play-led speeches, the Huskies hoped to emerge a rejuvenated squad when they received the ball first.

The optimism lasted one play. Immediately after, junior wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk fumbled on Washington’s 41-yard line, handing the ball right back to the Sun Devils.

It became increasingly apparent that it wasn’t the offense’s night.

“I think they did a nice job mixing up the pressures and getting to Mike,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “If they didn’t get to Mike, they at least had a hand in the way and got some tipped balls … Hats off to them keeping us off balance. We’ll expect to see some more of that, certainly in the weeks ahead.”

But thankfully for the Huskies, there’s more than one side of the ball.

“We always know the defense comes to dominate each and every day, and they showed it in practice against us as well,” Penix said. “We give each other great looks, and that’s what it’s about: trusting your teammates and playing complementary football. Today, they complemented us a lot.”

Granted, it was hardly a perfect night on the defensive side — tackling issues were glaringly apparent and the defensive line surrendered 145 yards to an otherwise dismal Sun Devils’ rushing offense.

But ultimately, the most important stat comes in the shape of wins and losses. And to increase those totals, you need to come up when it matters most.

Michael Penix Jr. scrambles out of the pocket against Arizona State University on Oct. 21, 2023 at Husky Stadium.

QB

(MARK SUMMER THE DAILY)

So when Arizona State’s head coach Kenny Dillingham elected to keep his offense on the field for a fourth-and-3 on Washington’s 12-yard line, there was no better opportunity. And who better than the hometown kid to come up with the interception.

As Powell began his mad dash up the north sideline, all there was left to beat was Arizona State’s redshirt junior quarterback Trenton Bourguet.

But the junior cornerback has trained for this moment long before. Six miles away in Judkins Park, as a young 10-year-old tight end for the Central District Panthers, Powell stiff-armed two defenders to clear his way to the end zone — the last one he remembered scoring.

This path was a bit easier. Bourguet briefly clipped him on his way to the 89-yard score, the only scare on his way to the biggest moment of his career.

“I remember I just started running, and then Coach [Chuck] Morrell always says, ‘If you get caught by the quarterback, it’s an issue,’” Powell said. “So like I was going, and then I saw him, and I was like, ‘I can’t get caught.’”

Powell’s pick six gave Washington the first lead all night, one they desperately clung onto for the remaining 8:25 of action. In the end, the Huskies held on just long enough.

“It was a struggle in different ways, but just finding a way to get the dub, it’s huge,” DeBoer said. “We can go back to work, learn from it, and be better because of it … Proud we found a way, and finding ways to win in different ways, with our defense today doing what they did, it only makes our team have that much more belief.”

It was nowhere near perfect, nor did it happen in traditional fashion. But in the end, Washington came through with the win.

And looking back at the straw poll — a victory was the only outcome everyone expected.

MARK SUMMER THE DAILY

KEY STATS

89

Yards returned during Mishael Powell’s pick six, the sixth-longest return in UW history.

7 Combined punts.

0

2018

Points scored by Arizona State in the second half.

The last time Washington won without an offensive touchdown, a 10-3 victory over Utah in the Pac-12 Championship.

CHAPTER EIGHT

VS. STANFORD

OCT. 28 at STANFORD STADIUM STANFORD, CALIF.

Sometimes you need a little help along the way.

Like on a late October evening down on the Farm, where Washington’s defense allowed a dismal 2-5 Stanford squad to hang around for most of the night. So much so that, with 5:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cardinal stood one drive away from pulling off an unfathomable upset.

After three quick stops, Stanford opted for a trick play on fourth-and-2 — first tossing it to wide receiver Tiger Bachmeier, who threw it back to a wide-open Jayson Daniels.

But the throw was inches too low and the ball was dropped.

Washington’s Dillon Johnson scored four plays later.

On a night where the Huskies were far from perfect, hope of the playoffs seemed uncertain.

But the Cardinal kept them fighting for another day.

1. Rome Odunze runs the ball after a reception during Washington’s game against Stanford on Oct. 28, 2023 at Stanford Stadium.

(COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

2. Michael Penix Jr. sings ‘Bow Down to Washington’ following the game against Stanford on Oct. 28, 2023 at Stanford Stadium.

(COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

3. Jabbar Muhammad guards a Stanford receiver during Washington’s game on Oct. 28, 2023 at Stanford Stadium. (COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE WEEK, WASHINGTON SURVIVES CLOSELY FOUGHT BATTLE

TY GILSTRAP THE DAILY

PALO ALTO, CALIF. — Nearly 130 years ago, when the Washington football team’s home field could be best described as the first empty setting it could find, it welcomed Stanford to west Seattle for the inaugural matchup between two of the Pac-12’s oldest rivals.

The contest was a marked departure from the opponents of years past for Washington, where it competed against the likes of the Tacoma and Port Townsend Athletic Clubs.

But a 6-4 loss to Tacoma and a 6-6 tie to Port Townsend understandably spelled disaster for their first collegiate test of the 1893 season, one in which the Huskies fell 40-0 to the Cardinal.

And more than a century later, as the two sides prepared for the last meeting as Pac-12 foes it felt as if, once again, a one-sided affair was in order.

This time would prove to be different.

Washington found itself unable to pull away all night, allowing Stanford to hang around to the very end, before finally securing a 42-33 win in the final minutes of Saturday night’s matchup.

As the 42-point effort clearly indicates, Stanford wasn’t able to contain the Washington offense as effectively as Arizona State did the week before. Look no further than the opening

minutes of the game, when the Huskies’ offense charged down the field with a six-play, 50-yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard rush for a score from senior tight end Jack Westover.

The Cardinal defense, however, was able to make just enough stops to keep it competitive. Just look at the final two offensive drives of the first quarter, where the Huskies combined for just 8 yards on six plays.

From there, Stanford was able to tie it up at one score apiece after taking advantage of three Washington penalties for 32 yards to put together an seven-play, 74 yard drive for a touchdown.

The Huskies offense came to life again in the second quarter, notching its second touchdown of the game behind a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive, which was immediately followed up by a 92-yard touchdown reception from sophomore wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk — the second-longest pass in Husky history. It simultaneously marked the longest one-play scoring drive in UW history, with the last one coming against Hawai’i in 2014.

“We knew we were going to take a shot coming out when we were backed up,” senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said. “We just took advantage of it, and Ja’Lynn Polk did a great job of fighting off of a guy holding him and trying to

pull him down, and he was able to make a big time play. That’s the kind of stuff we work on every day in practice, and you see it every week.”

But yet again, with a chance to put the game away against a Pac-12 bottom-feeder, Washington squandered three consecutive offensive drives, accumulating just 14 plays and three punts in that span. Meanwhile, Stanford put up two field goals and a touchdown to cut the lead to 2 points early in the third quarter.

As the game wore on, the stifled offensive drives became progressively more costly for the Husky offense. Midway through the fourth quarter, the usually sure-handed junior wide receiver Rome Odunze fumbled on Stanford’s 10-yard line — the first forced fumble of the year for the Cardinal.

And after making their way to the red zone on the next drive, Penix forced a pass into a tightly contested window for Odunze, which was promptly intercepted by Cardinal graduate cornerback Zahran Manley to squander yet another opportunity to extend the lead.

“The turnovers in the red zone certainly were costly,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Those were drives when we were going down the field and we didn’t get any points, and we didn’t even get a chance to kick a field goal.”

But soon after, with 3:20 remaining in the fourth quarter, it felt as if Stanford finally woke up to the reality that it was playing out of its league.

On a trick play on fourth-and-2, a wide open receiver dropped the pass, providing Washington with an opportunity to finally put the game away with a 13-yard touchdown rush from junior running back Dillon Johnson.

(COLMAN BEECH

Carson Bruener is celebrated by teammates after making a tackle on special teams during Washington’s game against Stanford on Oct. 28, 2023 at Stanford Stadium.

THE DAILY)

Saturday’s box score will show a sufficient night for the offense, namely a 460-yard output from the offense and 369 yards passing and four touchdowns for Penix. But more stats pointed in favor of Stanford, with the home side securing more total yards, offensive plays, and a longer time of possession.

“I think you[‘ve] got to give credit to other teams,” Johnson said. “They’re doing a really good job of, you know, studying, moving defensive lineman around, blitzing at the right times, and you know, they’re just playing hard. We can’t get complacent, we got to go out there and take every team just as we would any other team.”

But there’s more explanations beyond just increased game tape for opposing teams. Penix is in the second week of battling a lingering illness. Junior wide receiver Jalen McMillan hobbled off the field yet again in the second quarter. The rushing attack is still wildly inconsistent.

Ultimately, there’s been an inability to meet the standards set from the beginning of the season.

“We’re not playing to a standard that we feel like is set in our room, or in our locker room,” Penix said. “We know we got to do better, each and every game. We try to continue to take those steps and do better. Even when we were putting up 50 points, and winning by 30 or 40 points, we still [weren’t] satisfied. We’re never satisfied, and we’re always trying to continue to improve and be better each and every week.”

For far longer than most collegiate teams this season, Washington enjoyed the spoils of a number of blowout wins. Wins of that nature were eventually destined to come to an end, even for those Stanford teams at the end of the nineteenth century.

But the wins, and the undefeated record, don’t have to.

“For us, it’s just about finding ways to win,” Penix said. “Like I said before, that’s all we’re worried about, is finding ways to win.”

And as the team gears up for a November gauntlet, with tests against the University of Southern California (USC), Utah, and Oregon State looming in the coming weeks, finding ways to win the narrow ones may be better practice after all.

Washington’s grueling slate begins with a road test against USC, with kickoff slated for Saturday, Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m.

KEY STATS

92 Yards on Ja’Lynn Polk’s touchdown reception in the second quarter, the second-longest pass in UW history.

955 Combined offensive yards between Washington and Stanford.

17.6 Average yards per completion for UW.

24,380 In attendance at Stanford Stadium.

VS. USC

NOV. 4 AT LA MEMORIAL COLISEUM

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

It’s standard professionalism for media members to remain neutral in the press box.

Cheering, clapping, or making any verbal remarks are generally frowned upon.

But when senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made that play — you know the one — professionalism momentarily went out the window at the LA Coliseum.

On third-and-18 in the second quarter, Penix took a snap at the USC 30-yard line before he was met by an oncoming pass rush. Penix pivoted to his right side, then spun back around on a dime to avoid a Trojan defender before rolling out all the way to the opposite sideline. With just inches of space remaining and another USC defender bearing down, Penix kept his eyes downfield and flicked a pass to a crowded end zone, where it somehow found the arms of senior tight end Devin Culp.

The media couldn’t help but shake their heads in disbelief, letting out a chorus of stunned exclamations.

Penix is good at inducing those kinds of reactions. The win in Southern California improved the Huskies’ to 9-0, but there were many more awe-striking moments to come.

MADDY GRASSY

1. Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson falls out of bounds during Washington’s game versus the University of Southern California on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

(MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

2. Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. celebrates with Dillon Johnson during Washington’s game versus the University of Southern California on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

3. Washington’s game versus the University of Southern California on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

(MADDY

THE DAILY)

GRASSY

JOHNSON SCORES FOUR TIMES AS HUSKIES RACE PAST TROJANS, IMPROVE TO 9-0

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is set to host its third Summer Olympics in 2028.

It’s fitting, then, that a marathon in its own right took place Saturday evening inside that historic venue between the No. 5 Washington football team and No. 20 USC.

The Huskies (9-0, 6-0 Pac-12) and Trojans (7-3, 5-2 Pac12) traded scores ad nauseam, racing up and down the field as they racked up points on the scoreboard, leading to a 35-28 halftime score in favor of Washington.

When UW stumbled slightly — senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw an end-zone interception on the opening drive of the second half — USC gained ground, and the sides rested neck and neck at 42 points apiece as the third quarter concluded.

For the fourth consecutive week, the Huskies were being chased down.

The thing about competitive racing, though, is that it all comes down to that final stretch. On Saturday evening, in one of the grandest stages in American athletics, the Huskies yet again sprinted across the finish line faster than their opponent, as a big defensive stop, followed by a game-icing touchdown drive, secured a 52-42 win for UW.

“A lot of guys [were] just stepping up in the biggest moments,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “I feel like that’s what we do best — when the lights are brightest, our guys are ready to play. [I’m] excited about the way we’ve bounced back, especially considering everybody’s thoughts about the way we were doing things the last couple of weeks — we continue to win.”

For a game that played out like a marathon, there was certainly a lot of sprinting.

Specifically, from junior running back Dillon Johnson, who carried the ball 26 times for 256 yards, the fifth best mark in program history, and four touchdowns.

Johnson started off the scoring for UW with a 1-yard plunge to answer USC’s opening drive touchdown, then broke away for a 52-yard score in the second quarter to knot the score up at 21, and finished his first half hat-trick with a 1-yard score to give the Huskies a 35-28 lead.

“It takes the heat off Mike [Penix],” DeBoer said. “It allows other guys to get touches. DJ had a hot hand, and was doing what we really thought he could do when he came to our program, and we saw the film from a year ago.”

Johnson wasn’t done racing just yet.

In the second half, he rushed for gains of 33, 20, and 53 yards, along with the game’s punctuating score from 1-yard out, vaulting the Huskies over the 50-point threshold for the second time this season.

“We just wanted to be the most physical team,” Johnson said. “I said beforehand — the most physical team is going to win this game, and we were that.”

As the Huskies unleashed their running game in the Coliseum, Johnson shattered his previous career-high of 100 yards rushing.

“I was definitely shocked,” Johnson said. “I was like, damn, two hundred and fifty-something yards — that’s crazy, because my career high is 100 yards, so that tells you enough right there.”

Johnson’s career-best game snagged the spotlight with the Hollywood letters looming as the backdrop of the Coliseum, but two of the games biggest stars — Penix and USC quarterback Caleb Williams — still put on a show as well.

Penix especially dazzled the audience on a third-and-18 in the second quarter in which he spun out of a sack, trotted away from pressure, then launched a perfectly placed pass to the end zone, where senior tight end Devin Culp corralled it on the sideline with both feet in bounds for a 22-yard touchdown.

That pristine pass was just another clip in the ever-growing reel of Heisman moments that Penix has compiled this season. Penix finished his evening 22 of 30 passing for 256 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, before being greeted to chants of “Heisman” by purple-clad Husky Faithful in the stands.

But as good as Penix was, Williams wasn’t going to pass that Heisman torch without a fight. Williams regularly deked in and out of UW defenders, spinning, juking, and flinging the ball to his receivers with ease.

USC scored on three straight drives in the first half, then found the end zone on each of its first two second-half possessions.

With the marathon approaching the 26th mile, though, the Trojans finally ran out of steam.

With UW clinging to a 45-42 lead in the fourth quarter, Williams and USC methodically marched down the field as they had done all game. Then, on third-and-13, the Huskies’ defense stood their ground. Junior edge Voi Tunuufi brought down Williams for a sack, forcing USC to punt for just the second time all game.

It was the fourth consecutive week that UW’s defense made a big play in crunch time.

“There’s been big stops in those big wins,” DeBoer said. “Getting that stop on third down, and forcing the punt in the fourth quarter, that was huge because we had a three point lead there.”

The Huskies’ final drive spanned over five minutes, and allowed them to finally cross the finish line at the Coliseum with their perfect 9-0 record intact.

Both sides competed to the fullest Saturday evening. But when it was all said and done, Washington took the gold, and USC had to settle for silver.

UW will look to improve to 10-0 when it hosts Utah on Nov. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

1. Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws during Washington’s game versus the University of Southern California on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

2. Rome Odunze celebrates after Washington’s game versus the University of Southern California on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

KEY STATS

256 yards rushing.

4 touchdowns rushing.

5th most single-game rushing yards in UW histor.y

Dillon Johnson’s Night at the Coliseum:

CHAPTER TEN

VS UTAH

NOV.

11 at HUSKY STADIUM

SEATTLE, WASH.

Football games aren’t won in the first half.

Football games aren’t won in the first half.

Washington proved that on multiple occasions in 2023.

Washington proved that on multiple occasions in 2023.

Against Utah, the first half was certainly not won by the Huskies, who allowed 28 points — on four consecutive touchdown drives.

Against Utah, the first half was certainly not won by the Huskies, who allowed 28 points — on four consecutive touchdown drives.

In the second half, a switch clicked.

In the second half, a switch clicked.

Utah’s second half offensively consisted of three punts, a safety, and two interceptions. A theme that began with the Oregon game — the Washington defense coming up big in crunch time — continued at home against Utah, but it didn’t end there.

Utah’s second half offensively consisted of three punts, a safety, and two interceptions. A theme that began with the Oregon game — the Washington defense coming up big in crunch time — continued at home against Utah, but it didn’t end there.

As the Huskies improved to 10-0, a perfect regular season could be seen on the not-so-distant horizon.

As the Huskies improved to 10-0, a perfect regular season could be seen on the not-so-distant horizon.

‘TALE OF TWO HALVES’: HUSKIES TIGHTEN ON DEFENSE, IMPROVE TO 10-0 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE ‘91

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

Washington has been here before — you just have to travel 32 years back in time.

On Nov. 16, 1991, the Huskies defeated Oregon State, 58-6, improving to 10-0 for the first time in program history en route to a co-national championship.

A mere 11,687 days later, UW is 10-0 once more as it overcame first half struggles, stifling No. 18 Utah in the second half in a 35-28 win at Husky Stadium.

“[A] tale of two halves there,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Proud of the way that our guys as a team come together when it matters most.”

Based on their first half performance alone, comparisons to that national title-winning team would border on blasphemy. The Huskies (10-0, 7-0 Pac-12) forced the Utes (7-3, 4-3 Pac-12) to punt on their first two possessions but then allowed four consecutive touchdown drives.

UW was able to keep pace, scoring on a senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. 2-yard rush, junior wide receiver Rome Odunze 34-yard reception, and junior running back Dillon Johnson 5-yard rush in the first half.

But Utah, which entered the game last in the Pac-12 in passing yardage per game, threw for 238 in the first half and took a 28-24 lead into the locker room.

When the Huskies’ defense took to the field for the second half, they were unidentifiable from the unit that was picked apart in the first 30 minutes. The Utes

compiled zero points, and just 57 yards in the second half as Washington, after its apparent locker-room transformation, looked like a team that could contend for a national championship.

“We had a come-to-Jesus meeting,” junior cornerback Jabbar Muhammad said. “Coach Morrell made some hell of adjustments that let us play a lot [faster] and a lot more physical, and it showed.”

Utah went three-and-out on its first two drives of the second half, during which UW kicked a field goal and scored a touchdown on Odunze’s second score of the day, this time from 33 yards out to give the Huskies a 33-28 lead.

UW went for went for the 2-point conversion following the score, but failed to convert on a trick play. The Huskies’ defense, though, was extremely committed to getting those two points one way or another.

With the Utes driving down the field, UW junior linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala corralled an interception, then sprinted 76 yards up the sideline with nothing but green grass ahead. Tuputala crossed the goal line, celebrated with his teammates, and the Huskies seemingly had extended their lead with a pick six.

One problem: Tuputala had let go of the ball too early, dropping it before he crossed the plane of the goal line, and Utah pounced on the football to regain possession at its own 1-yard line.

“I saw him drop it,” Muhammad said. “I was trying to get on it, but I knew it was coming back the whole time.”

The moment was cringe-inducing to the Husky faithful, and left the door open for the Utes to get back into the game.

But this is where those two points came back into play.

On the first play of the Utes’ drive, UW junior linebacker Carson Bruener infiltrated the backfield on a handoff, dragging the ball carrier down for a safety, and doing his fellow linebacker a favor.

“We all got each other’s back,” Bruener said. “Our love for the whole defense from one another is unreal, honestly. Just being able to be called out to make my play like I did, and hearing them go crazy, is pretty cool.”

The defense wasn’t done coming up big.

The Utes didn’t pick up a singular first down in the fourth quarter, which quelled any concerns of a late comeback even when a field goal by sophomore kicker Grady Gross was blocked with 1:46 left in a one-possession game.

The game was sealed when Utah junior quarterback Bryson Barnes heaved up a desperation pass on fourth-and-10, which ended in the hands of senior defensive back Dominique Hampton.

Those Huskies, who looked lost on defense in the first half, looked like champions a couple hours later, as the clock hit triple zeroes and they paraded onto the

field with their 17th consecutive win.

“We matched up better in the passing game [in the second half],” DeBoer said. “We just got bodies on bodies more and then forced them into more plays where they were behind the chains — they had the down and distance in their favor in the first half, and we had it more in ours in the second.”

They may not have won the game by 52, like those ‘91 Huskies did in Corvallis.

But the Huskies still have the most important thing that team possessed at this point in the season: an undefeated record.

“When we came in January after last year, we knew we had a successful year, but we knew that we could have more,” Bruener said. “We have these goals set to go all the way, and to win every single game, and we don’t want anybody getting in the way of that.”

Until the Huskies sit atop the college football world, any comparisons to that ‘91 team are likely premature. But as the Huskies keep winning, their loftiest goals look less like a pipe dream and more like attainable aspirations.

“Hopefully we’re far from being where this all ends,” DeBoer said. “We’re trying to keep the pedal down to where we can realize the real goals that we have for this season.”

Tuli Letuligasenoa celebrates after a safety during the second half of Washington’s game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023 at Alaska Airlines Stadium. (COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

1. Washington’s wide receiver, Rome Odunze, celebrates after he catches the ball for a touchdown in the game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

2. Washington running back Dillon Johnson trips over Utah’s ingenious defensive positions during the football game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023. (SEAN FAN THE DAILY)

3. Washington football celebrates a big play in the game against against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

KEY STATS

1991

The last time Washington began the season 10-0.

100

Career victories as head coach for Kalen DeBoer.

76 Yards the Huskies allowed in the second half.

1. Washington defense Dominique Hampton celebrates as he catches an otherwise fumbled punt from Utah during the football game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023. (SEAN FAN THE DAILY)

2. Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass during Washington’s game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023. (COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

3. Washington wide receiver, Ja’Lynn Polk, runs with the ball in the game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

VS. OREGON STATE

20

NOV. 18 at RESER STADIUM

CORVALLIS, ORE.

Surely, the torrential downpour inside Reser Stadium inhibited Washington’s normally high-powered passing attack.

That much was evidenced by Michael Penix Jr.’s unusually tepid statline: 13 of 28 passing, 162 yards, and two touchdowns.

But no weather condition could wash away UW’s clutch gene. On third-and-3 from Oregon State’s 40-yard line with 1:58 left, Penix hit Rome Odunze on a perfectly placed throw, gaining 19 yards and clinching the Huskies’ spot in the Pac-12 championship.

Despite being outgained, losing the time of possession battle by nearly 15 minutes, and scoring zero points in the second half, Washington found a way. By this point, Husky fans were used to it. 22

HUSKIES CLINCH IMPROVE TO 11-0, CLINCH

PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP BERTH IN LATEST THRILLER

CORVALLIS, ORE. Last week, UW linebacker Carson Bruener relayed a simple message about the Washington football team:

“We [have] all got each other’s back.”

Bruener was referencing his tackle for a safety after teammate Alphonzo Tuputala dropped the ball at the 1-yard line against Utah, but the senior’s sentiment rang true once again Saturday at a damp Reser Stadium. Against No. 11 Oregon State, the Washington football team made a number of mistakes that could have doomed its perfect season — drops, penalties, and a potential crushing red zone fumble, to name just a few. But as they’ve done all season, the Huskies (11-0, 8-0 Pac-12) picked themselves up from their mistakes, and had each other’s backs. Overcoming what could be best described as a monsoon on the football field, and at times overcoming itself, the Washington football team clinched a Pac-12 Championship game berth and maintained its perfect season with a 22-20 victory Saturday evening.

“That was a grind,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “These guys just find a way to win, coming through when it matters most.” In typical and increasingly familiar fashion, the Huskies’ unblemished season hung in the balance until the bitter end — with 7:55 remaining, Oregon State took possession trailing by two. The Beavers (8-3, 5-3

Pac-12) methodically drove down the field as the rain subsided, and the Huskies found themselves needing a stop. But these Huskies — rain or shine — make the plays down the stretch to win football games. On fourth-and-5, UW’s defense forced an incompletion by Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, putting the Huskies back in the driver’s seat with with 2:03 remaining.

Washington’s defense limited Uiagalelei the entire game; the Beavers’ quarterback completed just 15 of 31 passes for 164 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions — both to junior Washington defensive back Jabbar Muhammad. “We knew that some of these games were going to come down to [the defense],” Muhammad said. “We’re just being ready for the times that it comes to us.”

To punch their ticket to Vegas, though, the Huskies needed to make one more play. And it’s no surprise that on third-and-3 with 1:58 remaining, they looked to junior receiver Rome Odunze. Senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. connected on a perfectly synchronized back-shoulder throw for 19 yards, clinching the victory and conference championship game berth.

“It’s knowing your guy,” DeBoer said. “It’s them just being so in tune and on the same page — we see that really about 90, 95 percent of the time

ETHAN KILLBREATH THE DAILY

in practice.” The rain had paused. The Huskies’ mini-celebration had begun. Mini, because, with the regular season winding down, Washington hasn’t yet scratched the surface of its ultimate goals. It’s not some crazy, off-the-wall celebration,” DeBoer said. “They know that there’s more business to be taken care of.”

In terms of having each other’s backs, it felt at times as if Odunze had the whole offense on his back. Odunze caught seven passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. When passing to all other receivers, Penix completed just six of 22 passes for 56 yards and no touchdowns. Odunze began the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown reception from Penix on the first possession of the game. With 54 seconds remaining in the first half, Odunze hauled in his second touchdown, a sprawling catch from 32 yards out to give the Huskies a 22-10 lead. There may have been rain, but Odunze still shined.

“For the defense out there to run that clock and not allow them to make any plays, it was also motivation because we just had to come out and ice it,” Odunze said. On a wet cold evening full of dropped passes, Odunze had Penix’s back, as he has all season. In the second quarter, Bruener had Dillon Johnson’s. Johnson broke off a 43-yard run, before muffing the ball at the Oregon State 5-yard line. That mistake alone could have been critical, but Bruener exonerated Johnson of the fumble with a forced fumble of his own on the Beavers’ very next drive, giving the Huskies a redo, as they punched in the touchdown to take a 16-7 lead. “Doesn’t matter what side of the ball,” Bruener said. “Offense — they fumble, so it’s on the defense, like, ‘alright, let’s get the ball back, now it’s our turn to punch the ball out.’”

Then there was the third quarter, when Washington, with a 22-10 lead, had a chance to put the game away following Muhammad’s second interception of the game in Beaver territory. The Huskies’ drive stalled, though, forcing them to instead set up for a field goal. The field goal was good, but the yellow laundry on the field said otherwise. A false start penalty forced a rekick, and as Murphy’s Law would have it, the kick sailed wide left. Oregon State then voyaged on a 10-minute drive, punching the ball into the end zone and slicing the deficit to five. Then UW’s offense stalled again, OSU pieced together another long drive, but the Huskies’ bend-don’t-break defense limited the damage to a field goal, before standing firm on the Beavers’ final drive.

OSU wasn’t exempt from mistakes of their own. In addition to the turnovers, a long snap that sailed over the punters’ head skidded into the Beavers’ end zone, tallying two crucial points into the Huskies’ column. The Huskies can win games in every which way — and frankly, they’re tired of hearing how close it may have been along the way. “You can get nitpicky on this and [ask] is it quite good enough,” DeBoer said. “But let’s talk about our strengths — let’s talk about what we do well. There’s so many things that we do well, and I think we’ve shown that’s going to continue to be the case.”

UW will aim to complete its perfect regular season when it hosts Washington State in next weekend’s Apple Cup. In the meantime, a little celebration is warranted. “There’s a bigger piece to what we’re trying to accomplish,” DeBoer said. “But the first box is checked. You can’t win it unless you get there.”

1. The Washington defense lines up in game against Oregon State on Nov. 18th, 2023, at Reser Stadium. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

2. Rome Odunze receives a touchdown pass during the first half of Washington’s game against Oregon State on Nov. 18, 2023 at Reser Stadium. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

3. Jack Westover and Kalen DeBoer have a moment following Washington’s game against Oregon State on Nov. 18, 2023 at Reser Stadium. (COLEMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

1. Washington’s edge, Bralen Trice, celebrates a tackle in game against Oregon State on Nov. 18th, 2023, at Reser Stadium. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

2. Washington’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer, laughs and high fives player in celebration of their 22-20 win against Oregon State on Nov. 18th, 2023, at Reser Stadium. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

3. Washington’s star wide receiver and quarterback, Rome Odunze and Michael Penix Jr., celebrate scoring the first Huskies touchdown against Oregon State on Nov. 18th, 2023, at Reser Stadium. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

KEY STATS

22:33

Time of Possession for UW, compared to 37:27 for OSU

3 Turnovers forced by the Huskies’ defense

0 Points scored by Washington in the second half.

2 Critical touchdowns caught by Rome Odunze

1. Washington’s quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., at the helm in game against Oregon State on Nov. 18th, 2023, at Reser Stadium. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

2. Washington’s quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., throws the ball in game against Oregon State on Nov. 18th, 2023, at Reser Stadium. (REID ALEXANDER THE DAILY)

APPLE CUP

CHAPTER TWELVE 21 24

NOV. 25 at HUSKY STADIUM

SEATTLE, WASH.

Washington was on the verge of disaster.

But if you thought the Huskies wouldn’t pull it out, you have not been paying attention.

With a perfect season and a shot at the College Football Playoff on life support, Kalen DeBoer opted for one of the gutsiest calls in recent memory, going for it on fourth-and-1 from Washington’s own 29-yard line in a tie game with seconds left.

When the ball was snapped and the Huskies appeared to be stuffed at the line of scrimmage, 70,000 hearts stopped at Husky Stadium. But upon further examination, Odunze was racing up the sideline for a 23-yard gain, setting up the game-winning field goal and saving Washington’s season.

Another win for the cardiac kids.

WASHINGTON SURVIVES APPLE CUP SCARE, COMPLETES UNDEFEATED REGULAR SEASON

Winning cures everything.

Which is important, because fans of Washington football likely began to fall ill during Saturday afternoon’s Apple Cup.

As the Cougars (5-7, 2-7 Pac-12) went toe to toe with the Huskies (12-0, 9-0 Pac-12) — the teams were tied at 14 entering halftime, and knotted at 21 until the final seconds — a special kind of nausea began to spread through Husky Stadium.

That nausea formed as the likelihood of an all-time disaster increased; the Huskies saw their perfect season, playoff hopes, and senior day all on life support — at the hands of their pesky rival, to make matters worse.

But when the clock finally hit zeroes and fans poured onto the field to uplift sophomore kicker Grady Gross, those lurching feelings were all remedied.

Gross knocked through the game-winning, 42-yard field goal as time expired and No. 4 Washington survived for a 24-21 win over Washington State, finishing its 12-0 regular season in the process.

“We’re going to enjoy it here for a short time,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “You do have to have a little bit of perspective for one second, just to take it in and understand the history of the program — understanding 12-0 and what it really took to get to this point.”

To get to this point Saturday afternoon, it took a yard. And the gutsiest of calls by DeBoer.

With the game tied at 21, Washington was presented

with a fourth-and-1 from its own 29-yard line. Instead of punting back to WSU with 1:11 remaining, the Huskies sent the punt unit onto the field in an attempt to draw an offsides penalty, then took a timeout to mull their options over.

A failed fourth down attempt would have left the ball with the Cougars in field goal range, effectively removing the Huskies’ ability to control their own destiny.

But with the Huskies going to Las Vegas next week, DeBoer took a gamble six days early.

Senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. faked a handoff to junior running back Dillon Johnson, then coolly flipped the football to a sweeping Rome Odunze, who picked up the first down — and then some — on a gain of 23 yards.

“Coach [Ryan] Grubb was talking about that play throughout the game,” Penix said. “He just kept saying ‘that play is ready,’ and at the time we needed it most it was great timing and we were able to execute.”

DeBoer and Grubb called their shots, but it was the Huskies’ two best players who executed in the game’s biggest moment.

Penix had the option to either hand the ball off or pitch it. And the Huskies’ quarterback, as he’s done since the moment he arrived on Montlake, made the winning decision with the ball in his hand.

“I was just looking at the guy on the end of defense,” Penix said. “He squeezed in, and it was just a lot of grass out there.”

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

Penix made the read and Odunze made the play.

“[Penix] made an incredible read,” Odunze said. “Got the ball out of [Dillon Johnson’s] hands and was able to flip it back to me. It was a dream in front of me — 40 yards of field.”

The job wasn’t finished.

Aided by a roughing the passer call (that was questionable in the eyes of Cougs fans, to say the least), the Huskies marched the ball down to the Cougars’ 16-yard line — before a sack brought it back to the 25.

That sack was ultimately futile, not fatal. Because when Gross converted on the field goal from nine yards further out then it could have been, it embodied the immense success that Washington has had over the past two years.

No matter how sluggish Washington may look, no matter how ill fans may feel during its games, the Huskies find a way to win with their backs against the wall.

“We’ve been doing it all season,” Penix said. “Defense is making big time stops when we need them the most, and then the offense finds a way to get those points on the board when we need them most as well.”

The Huskies, as fans are well aware, have been here before. In fact, UW hasn’t won a game by double digits since its thrashing of Cal on Sep. 23. But these cardiac kids are ready when the pressure-packed moments arrive.

“It goes back to all the adversity that this team has been through,” Odunze said. “We know we can come out with the win — so many weeks now that we’ve grinded things out, and it hasn’t been pretty, but we’ve been able to end up in the win column.”

Odunze, who was named as a semi-finalist for the Biletnikoff Award given to college football’s top pass catcher, certainly took a step towards winning the hardware with his seven catches, 143 total yards, and two touchdowns — one in the second quarter to give UW a 14-7 lead, and one in the third quarter to make it 21-14.

The defense — which looked stable, but not stout — came up with the stop they needed to in the fourth quarter. After allowing WSU to even the game up at 21 in the fourth quarter, UW held the line when it needed to most. With the ball on their own 34-yard line, the Cougars advanced to UW’s 44 before the Huskies’ defense stiffened up.

“It’s more of the same of what they’ve done, the last half of the season, especially,” DeBoer said. “[I am] really proud of the way they went and executed and got off the field — they’ve got a lot of confidence being in those moments.”

When the dust settled after 60 grueling, sickening minutes of football — and UW students settled themselves onto the Husky Stadium turf — the Huskies emerged with a 12-0 record, fully controlling their College Football Playoff destiny.

Fans may have felt sick. But that perfect regular season is pretty good medicine.

1. University of Washington kicker Grady Gross kicks the game-winning field goal during UW’s game against Washington State University on Nov. 25, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle. Gross’s kick was good as time expired to seal a 24-21 victory for Washington. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

2. Grady Gross is swarmed by teammates and players after scoring the winning field goal during the Apple Cup against Washington State on Nov. 25, 2023 at Husky Football Stadium.

(EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

KEY STATS

12-0 Washington won its 12th game for the third time in program history

14 Total tackles by Carson Bruener

120 Yards receiving by Rome Odunze

42 Yards on Grady Gross’ game-winning field goal

1. Grady Gross is swarmed by teammates and players after scoring the winning field goal during the Apple Cup against Washington State on Nov. 25, 2023 at Husky Football Stadium.

(EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2. Zion Tupuola-Fetui celebrates with fans during the Washington football game against Washington State on Nov. 25, 2023 at Husky Football Stadium.

(EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

3. University of Washington football offensive lineman Troy Fautanu hoists the Boeing Apple Cup Trophy after UW’s 24-21 win against Washington State on Nov. 25, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP

31 34

DEC. 1 at ALLEGIANT STADIUM

LAS VEGAS, NEV.

Every once in a while, a moment comes along that will be remembered forever.

When Washington defeated Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship, it became one of those immortalized moments — winning the conference in its final season, UW will be the Pacific coast champion for eternity.

If that wasn’t enough, the program-record 13th win, third straight win over a bitter rival, and locking up a spot in the College Football Playoff all ensured that the Huskies’ win in Vegas will never be forgotten.

In a thrilling fashion that had become Washington’s trademark, the Huskies won a game for the ages, and secured their right to play for an even bigger championship in January.

EMMA OTTOSEN THE

1. Bralen Trice breaks a block and lunges for QB Bo Nix during the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2. Washington WR Rome Odunze watches a drill during warm ups before the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

3. Washington WR Jalen McMillan “mic drops” the football during the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

HUSKIES WIN PAC-12, PUNCH TICKET TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF WITH THRILLING WIN

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

LAS VEGAS, NEV. — With the lights at their brightest, the Washington football team performed at its best.

The final Pac-12 championship, a College Football Playoff berth, and a historic win were all on the line in the enclosed air at Allegiant Stadium Friday night.

And No. 3 Washington, despite its head-to-head regular season win over No. 5 Oregon, entered the matchup as a 9.5-point betting underdog.

The Huskies told the oddsmakers to take a hike.

UW won its 13th game of the season in another thriller over its rival, 34-31, all but clinching its spot in the national semifinal.

“One of the things that coach DeBoer brought was the phrase ‘winners win,’” senior linebacker Eddie Ulofoshio said. “You kind of think it’s corny until it really starts to come to fruition.”

Friday, Washington left no doubt.

It’s the Pac-12’s ultimate winner.

The Huskies (13-0, 9-0 Pac-12) became the only team in the history of the Pac-12 to ever go 13-0, sending the century-old conference out in a burst of purple confetti.

“13-0 is hard to do,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “It’s hard to go 12-0 and then have to beat a really good football team a second time in one year. That’s just a tip of the cap to our guys and how they didn’t worry about the last game, didn’t worry about who was supposed to win or anything like that, [they] just focused on us.”

Washington won its 20th game in a row — and is now 24-2 overall in the DeBoer era — but to say Friday’s contest was just business as usual would be mendacious. But with the stakes as high as they could be, the Huskies came ready to play in Vegas.

UW forced Oregon’s high-flying offense into three-andouts on three of the Ducks’ first four drives, and sprang out to a 17-3 lead on a 38-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Grady Gross, 5-yard rush by junior running back Dillon Johnson, and 4-yard reception by sophomore receiver Germie Bernard.

Another field goal, and the Huskies were out to a whopping 20-3 lead.

Washington held all the cards.

But not for long.

The Ducks’ offense finally woke up, as they drove down the field to score their first touchdown with nine seconds remaining in the first half.

The third quarter was all Oregon.

The Ducks scored on their first drive of the half, converting two fourth downs in the process, including a touchdown from the 2-yard line.

Washington senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon senior quarterback Bo Nix then traded interceptions, before Washington turned the ball over on downs. Just four plays later, the Ducks ran in a 6-yard touchdown, taking their first lead of the game, 24-20.

Before you could say “Rose Bowl,” the game had gone from a Washington landslide to a patented Ducks-Huskies

thriller meant for Vegas. As the game reached its twilight, the Huskies saw their dreams slipping away like an unlucky player at a slot machine.

But the Huskies are no strangers to the moment. And despite what ESPN’s Football Power Index may have thought, their odds of victory were better than that of a slots player.

“There is a deep belief right now in our football team that when the moments get tough, we can really hone in and guys will just do their job, not get overwhelmed, and go execute,” DeBoer said. “They’re just going to leave it all on the football field.”

Penix, coolly as ever, marched Washington down the field before Johnson punched in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Huskies a 27-24 lead.

It was just one of many moments for Johnson, whom the Huskies relied on for a balanced offense. Johnson rushed 28 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

=“It’s important for us if we want to win a championship — Pac-12 championship or national championship — for us to have that balance,” DeBoer said. “If a team is taking Michael [Penix] and the receiving corps away, getting those hard yards is going to be critical.”

When the Washington defense forced a critical Oregon punt, the Huskies took over possession with nine minutes left and a chance to make their dreams a reality.

One drive for all the marbles.

And on that drive, the Huskies reminded the country why they’ve been the winners now 20 times in a row.

Penix marched Washington on an 82-yard, 6:20 drive, which culminated with the Huskies at the Ducks’ 2-yard line on third-and-goal.

With a season — and a legacy — on the line, Penix found junior tight end Quentin Moore for the touchdown, giving the Huskies a 34-24 lead with just 2:44 remaining.

“Special moment for [Moore],” Penix said. “I know how

excited he was. You should have seen him in practice when we were installing it. He couldn’t stop smiling because he knew he was going to get a touchdown on that play.”

The Ducks didn’t go down quite yet. A 63-yard touch down on the second play of their next drive made the score 34-31, requiring Washington to pick up a pair of first downs to seal the deal.

It was time for the winners to win.

Washington moved the chains twice — including an 18-yard sprint by Johnson on third-and-9 — before taking victory formation.

The stakes had never been higher, the odds were unfavorable, and the playing field was unfamiliar, but the end result was the same: Washington’s players pouring onto the field in celebration of their latest victory.

This time, they were accompanied by con fetti and a silver championship trophy.

“We earned it,” Ulofoshio said. “You can say what you want, but we earned it, every single game.”

1. Washington RB Dillon Johnson slides for a first down during the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2. Washington WR Germie Bernard celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

KEY STATS

List of UW Football Conference Championships: Pac-12 Championship final standings: USC 37

2023, 2018, 2016, 2000, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1981, 1980, 1977, 1963, 1960, 1959, 1936, 1925, 1919, 1916

Washington 18

UCLA 17

Stanford 15

California 14

Oregon 13

Oregon State 5

Washington State 4

Arizona State 3

Utah 2

Arizona 1

Idaho 1

Colorado 0

Montana 0

1. Washington headcoach Kalen DeBoer hoists the trophy into the air following the Washington victory at the Pac-12 Championship against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2. Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. holds up the MVP trophy following the Washington victory at the Pac-12 Championship against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

3. Devin Culp embraces his teammate following the victory at the Pac12 Championship against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

DAILY

INTERLUDE

PENIX FOR HEISMAN

DEC.

9 at LINCOLN CENTER

NEW YORK, NY

Washington’s wait for a Heisman winner will have to continue.

Senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. finished as the runner-up Saturday evening, falling just short in his quest to become the first in Husky history to win college football’s most outstanding player award.

Penix was bested by LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who won the honor with 2,029 points.

Penix’s runner-up finish is the best in Washington history, with his 1,701 points eclipsing Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, who finished third with 885 points.

Among the four Heisman finalists, Penix was the only one on a playoff team, and Washington’s 13-0 record stacked up nicely against LSU’s 9-3 record, and Oregon’s 11-2 record with both losses at the hands of UW.

But Daniels’ statistical advantage was too much to make up for. While Penix leads the NCAA in yards passing, Daniels compiled 50 total touchdowns with just four interceptions.

The announcement came a day after Penix received the Maxwell award, given to the top player in college football.

While the Heisman eluded Penix, the Huskies have their sights set on a much more important trophy. UW will face No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, attempting to advance to the national championship game.

MADDY GRASSY THE

1. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. points to the Washington crowd after a touchdown during the second half of Washington’s game against Stanford on Oct. 28, 2023 at Stanford Stadium. (COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

2. Michael Penix Jr. passes the football during UW’s game against Michigan State on September 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

3. Michael Penix Jr. holds up the MVP trophy following the Washington victory at the Pac-12 Championship against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

BY IDOLIZING STATS, VOTERS OVERLOOKED THE TRUE HEISMAN

TY GILSTRAP THE DAILY

Shortly before Saturday night’s Heisman ceremony, Washington senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. delivered his final “Heisman moment.”

Walking into New York City’s Lincoln Center in a purple suede suit, Penix opened up his jacket to reveal the inscribed lining inside — composed of each teammate and coach from this year’s roster in italicized black type.

Integrity.

Interlocked in a back-and-forth battle against then-No. 8 Oregon, Washington’s training staff desperately administered IVs to their star quarterback, hoping to find a remedy to address the cramps that plagued the senior late in the second half.

They never quite found one. But it didn’t matter.

Penix emerged from the injury tent to complete passes of 35 and 18 yards in sequential fashion, with the latter delivering the winning touchdown to take down the Ducks, 36-33.

Perseverance.

With the season on the line, and the Huskies up just 22-20 over then-No. 11 Oregon State, Penix awaited the shotgun snap on a crucial third-and-3.

Engulfed in wet and sloppy conditions, the senior dropped back and perfectly placed a 19yard pass into the awaiting arms of junior wide

receiver Rome Odunze, sealing the win and a perfect record on the road.

Hard Work.

A 13-0 record. Five wins over ranked opponents. 324.4 passing yards per game.

Diligence.

But only one word truly feels suitable to describe the campaign Penix pieced together this past season — Heisman.

After all, even the award itself seemed written for Washington’s star.

“Outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”

Somehow, the voters disagreed.

Instead, these voters, with a lion’s share stemming from the South, were too enamored with the statistics that LSU’s senior quarterback Jayden Daniels accumulated to focus on the values the award represents — all of which Penix embodies.

Don’t be mistaken, Daniels’ season was statistically incredible, after all. He tossed for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns passing, and only four interceptions. And he should receive credit for winning the games he was supposed to — handedly for that matter.

A 72-point effort against Grambling State, 62

points against Army, and 56 more over Georgia State.

But when push came to shove, Daniels’ squad routinely came up short against ranked opponents. Three times to be exact.

Penix never did.

Granted, Daniels was handcuffed by a Tigers defense that was historically bad, surrendering over 27.75 points per game and seemingly creating impossible conditions for anyone to win on a weekly basis. Conversely, it’s no doubt that Penix owes an incredible amount to the names he wears in his suit jacket. (Arizona State, anyone?)

But would those names be perfect without the man wearing it?

Almost certainly not.

And here lies the crux of the issue. Penix successfully elevated his squad with his share of Heisman moments — whether it be the “flip” against Washington State or his 319-yard performance over Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship to deliver two of Washington’s most critical wins of the season.

As for Daniels, you can’t necessarily say the same. And looking back on past Heisman winners — many of them share that moment that officially solidified their credentials for the most outstanding player in all of college football.

Think of Joe Burrow’s rout over Georgia in the SEC title game. Or Baker Mayfield planting the flag after orchestrating a take-down of Ohio State. Maybe even after Johnny Manziel became a legend down in College Station, Tex. when he took down then-No. 1 Alabama.

For all of the winners that came before, their list of moments is seemingly endless.

Penix was set to add a Rolodex of them to the list.

Instead, the voters selected the candidate that delivered none.

1. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is recognized during Senior Day festivities prior to UW’s game against Washington State University on Nov. 25, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA.. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

2. Michael Penix Jr. scores a touchdown during the first half of Washington’s game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023 at Alaska Airlines Stadium. (COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

3. Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass during Washington’s game against Utah on Nov. 11, 2023 at Alaska Airlines Stadium. (COLMAN BEECH THE DAILY)

THE MANY HEISMAN MOMENTS OF MICHAEL PENIX JR.’S 2023 SEASON

ETHAN KILBREATH AND TY GILSTRAP THE DAILY

The Heisman trophy is awarded to the “Most Outstanding Player in College Football.”

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels’ stats are outstanding. So are Oregon quarterback Bo Nix’s. But “outstanding” is an adjective that shouldn’t be boiled down to just numbers. To win the Heisman, there’s an expectation of unquantifiable moments — Johnny Manziel running a literal circle around No. 1 Alabama’s defense to knock off the Crimson Tide in 2012, Baker Mayfield planting a flag after a win at No. 2 Ohio State in 2017, and Joe Burrow sealing a win against the No. 3 Crimson Tide in 2019, to name a few.

This year, no one has compiled more of those moments than Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., leading the Huskies to a 13-0 record in the process.

We wouldn’t blame you if you’ve lost track, so here’s a refresher on some of Penix’s finest moments ahead of Saturday’s ceremony.

“THE FLIP” AGAINST WASHINGTON STATE

It wasn’t a high-arcing pass for a touchdown, or a perfectly placed rocket to the sideline.

It wasn’t a pass at all, actually.

With the Huskies tied with the Cougars and just 1:11 remaining, Washington faced potential disaster. On fourth-and-1 from their own 29-yard line, head coach Kalen DeBoer decided to risk

everything and go for it.

But when Penix is your quarterback, that risk becomes a lot less daunting.

Penix could either hand the ball off to junior running back Dillon Johnson, or pull the ball away and flick it to junior receiver Rome Odunze on an end around. With a perfect season on the line, Penix chose wisely.

The Huskies’ quarterback faked the handoff to Johnson, then coolly flipped it to a crossing Odunze, who raced 23 yards for a first down.

“You’re gonna trust in a guy like Michael to read it,” DeBoer said. “Of course he had his back to the play at some point as he flipped it, and he just made a great decision — some guts on his end.”

Washington proceeded to advance the ball to WSU’s 25-yard line, before kicking a 42-yard field goal to survive Armageddon and preserve perfection.

ENSURING PAC-12 IMMORTALITY

For the conference.

And a spot in the College Football Playoff. Against a hated rival.

None of it fazed Penix — not even after Washington saw its 17-point lead evaporate, and Oregon pulled into a 24-20 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Ducks’ Nix was a strong candidate

himself for the Heisman all season long, but Allegiant Stadium wasn’t big enough for two Heisman finalists.

Penix led the Huskies down the field for a goahead touchdown with just over 12 minutes left. Then, after Nix and the Ducks’ drive was stalled, Penix and the Huskies’ offense marched again in the biggest moment, culminating in a touchdown drive to junior tight end Quentin Moore to create a deficit that Oregon couldn’t overcome.

“[Penix] has been through it all,” DeBoer said postgame. “He’s had all of these experiences to draw upon, and knows when to take the risk and when not to — how to put the team on his back and just keep moving. He’s a guy we’re going to let pull the trigger when we feel like we’ve gotta put all our trust in him.”

Penix held a trophy in Las Vegas, and it should secure his right to hold a different trophy in New York City.

ACT I AGAINST OREGON

Jalen McMillan confirmed what it looked like on the broadcast.

“Bro literally was freestyling about us making the comeback,” the junior receiver said of Penix. “Nine is insane y’all.”

With Washington trailing 33-29 and just 3:39 remaining in the game, Oregon had control of the ball needing just a few first downs to put the game away.

The Huskies got that stop, and then Penix got to work. Penix hit sophomore receiver Ja’Lynn Polk for a gain of 35 on the first play of the drive, then perfectly placed a back shoulder pass to Odunze for the game-winning, 18-yard touchdown.

Washington’s game versus the University of Southern California Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

(MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

Penix finished the game completing 22 of 37 passes for 302 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.

No. 9 is insane, indeed.

SURVIVE AND ADVANCE

Not too many Heisman moments come in a half where the candidate’s offense scores zero points.

Even less come on a night where the said Heisman-finalist misses nine consecutive passes.

Nevertheless, the best overcome.

After methodically marching down the field for a 10-play, 50-yard scoring drive to cut the lead to 22-20, Oregon State had placed Washington on the ropes in a wet and sloppy affair down in Corvallis.

Floyd Maywhether Jr. has been in this position before.

He’s never lost.

Neither has Penix.

With 1:58 to go, and a crucial third-and-5 awaiting for the now molasses-esque Husky offense, Penix took the shotgun snap, dropped back, and perfectly dropped a 19-yard pass into the awaiting arms of Odunze, cementing the win in the process.

Immediately after, Penix launched his signature arrow from midfield.

The Heisman-candidate had delivered again.

“So to me, it’s not a crapshoot, whether you’re going to make that play,” DeBoer said. “It’s just a big guy with a big catch radius in Rome [Odunze] and Michael [Penix] knows exactly where to put it. As long as the line gives him a free look to see where the defender is and [he] has time to read it, he’s going to make that throw.”

HOLLYWOOD MAGIC

Remarkably, in a 52-42 shootout win over Trojans, and on a night where the two sides combined for over 1,087 yards of offense, there’s one play that stands alone, searing itself into the Penix’s Heisman-highlights mere seconds after it happened.

You already know which one I’m talking about.

With 11:37 remaining in the second quarter, and USC already holding a seven-point lead, an atypical holding penalty on the stalwart of the offensive line, junior Troy Fautanu, backed the Huskies up to a third-and-18.

No matter.

Penix took the shotgun snap, spun out of an awaiting sack, and scrambled toward the left sideline — all while keeping his eyes downfield, patiently awaiting even the slightest semblance of an opening.

It never came.

Instead, Penix opted to arc a pass high above three awaiting Trojan defenders, and right into the arms of senior tight end Devin Culp, who made a spectacular catch to haul in the 22-yard score.

This wasn’t like Vincent van Gogh, where his masterpiece wasn’t truly appreciated until long after it was completed.

Even in the moment, former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herbstreit couldn’t help but marvel at the greatness.

“What a throw!” Herbstreit said upon watching the replay.

Welcome to the show.

The Daily recently benefited from intensive photography training by Canon Explorer of Light Kevin Jairaj and Canon Senior Trainer Charles Zablan. They covered UW’s 2023 victory over Oregon.

From left are Daily photographer Mario Trujillo, Photo Editor Emma Ottosen, Jairaj, Zablan, and Daily photographers Colman Beech and Evan Morud.

HELP OUR TEAM COVER OUR TEAMS

Covering the Huskies last year was a once-in-alifetime experience. We created “Team of Destiny” to capture all of the excitement, and wanted to share it with you.

We need your help to keep The Daily’s sports reporters and photographers on the field, especially as UW moves to BIG. We are talented, hard-working sports writers and photographers. We cover all UW sports teams, and travel to away football games, plus most post-season tournaments.

We need help with travel expenses. Anything you can contribute will be deeply appreciated.

Please make your tax-deductible donation to The Daily Fund for Excellence today.

Thank you!

This QR Code links directly to The Daily Fund for Excellence, the tax-deductable fund that supports our travel and other opportunities.

SUGAR BOWL

CHAPTER FOURTEEN 31 34

JAN 1 at CASEARS SUPERDOME

NEW ORLEANS, LA.

Most students enrolled at the University of Washington weren’t alive the last time the Huskies won a game in the month of January.

If one thing is certain from the Sugar Bowl on the first day of 2024 — 23 years to the date after Washington’s Rose Bowl win over Purdue — it’s that UW fans certainly won’t forget it.

Whether they made the trip out to New Orleans or watched from one of Seattle’s Husky-crazed sports bars, Washington fans won’t forget where they were when their team charged out to a lead, only to fear the unimaginable in the game’s closing moments.

Certainly, no one will forget the swat that saved the Huskies.

Elijah Jackson’s pass deflection on the final play will forever be ingrained into the minds of those who don purple (and probably those in burnt orange, as well).

The Huskies’ 37-31 triumph in New Orleans — marking an end to 23 years of coming up short — was the final unforgettable moment to a truly unforgettable season.

1. Washington EDGE Bralen Trice pressures Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers during the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl against Texas on Jan. 1, 2024, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

2. Dillon Johnson celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Texas at the Caesars Superdome Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

3. Washington EDGE Bralen Trice high-fives Tuli Letuliasegnoa during the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl against Texas on Jan. 1, 2024, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

‘THEY’VE

DONE IT ALL YEAR’: UW HOLDS ON IN FINAL MOMENTS TO WIN NATIONAL SEMIFINAL GAME

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

NEW ORLEANS, LA. — The clock stopped.

So, too, did the hearts of Washington fans.

Because the interruption to a rolling clock with 50 seconds left meant two things for the No. 2 Washington football team — neither of which were good.

One, Washington’s junior running back Dillon Johnson — who had already punched in two touchdown runs — was down with an injury, something that head coach Kalen DeBoer said postgame is likely related to issues Johnson has been working through all season.

And two, the Texas offense was going to have a chance to win the football game; once Johnson went down following a zero-yard gain on third down, the Longhorns (12-2, 8-1 Big 12) — who didn’t have any timeouts remaining — got the ball back at their own 31-yard line, thanks to a fair catch interference penalty by Washington.

If hearts were stopped already, the ensuing Texas drive couldn’t have helped.

Texas sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers struck with senior receiver Jordan Whittington for a gain of 41 yards, vaulting the Longhorns to the Huskies’ (14-0, 9-0 Pac 12) 28-yard line. A few plays later, Texas was down to UW’s 12-yard line with 15 seconds remaining.

Hearts stopped.

But the cardiac kids had been here before.

Ewers’ following pass was caught for a loss of 1 yard. Then an incompletion. Then another incompletion. Washington had held on all season long.

The Huskies needed to for one more second. Ewers was rushed on the final play, then threw a desperation pass into the end zone that was batted away by sophomore Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson. It fell incomplete, and Washington secured a 37-31 win over No. 3 Texas to win the Sugar Bowl and advance to the national championship game.

Another win for the cardiac kids.

“[It was an] unfortunate situation with the clock,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “Thought we’d end up with maybe just 10, 15 seconds to work with and then go the whole length of the field. But the defense had to stay out there and play every down until the very end. So proud of the resiliency and finding another way to win a football game.”

The defense locked it down in the end. But senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. got them there. The Heisman runner-up showed the nation that the trophy belongs in his living room by

completing 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

He didn’t waste any time, either. On the Huskies’ first drive of the game, Penix heaved a 77-yard pass to sophomore receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, which set up the first of Johnson’s two touchdown runs and gave UW a 7-0 lead.

The Longhorns answered with a touchdown of their own, and after a tradeoff of punts between the two teams, Johnson found the paydirt again.

After Texas knotted it up again with a touchdown, Penix found Polk for a 29-yard touchdown on a ball that was bobbled into the air.

“I knew once I threw the ball it was going to be a touchdown,” Penix said. “Tipped or not, I knew [Polk] was going to find a way to get it because that’s what he’s been doing all year.”

Then, in the third quarter, with the game tied at 21, Penix hit junior receiver Jalen McMillan for a 19-yard touchdown.

Penix did his part. But 25 football minutes later, when Texas had the ball on its final drive and Penix watched from the sideline, there was only one thing left for him to do.

Believe.

“No matter the circumstances, the adversity that we went through during that drive, I know everybody on the sidelines continues to believe,” Penix said. “Continue to believe in the defense, that they were going to get that stop, because they’ve done it all year.”

The defense had come up big already in the second half — they forced two fumbles on Texas’ first three drives of the second half, allowing a pair of field goals from junior kicker Grady Gross to give the Huskies a 34-21 lead.

But midway through the fourth quarter, the tide

began to turn. The Longhorns scored on a 10play, 72-yard drive with 7:23 left to make it a 34-28 game. Then, after Washington’s offense made it a two-possession game once again with a field goal on its next drive, Texas matched the field goal to make it 37-31 with 1:09 left on the clock.

When the Longhorns got the ball back and pushed the ball deep into Huskies’ territory, the potential for an all-time crushing loss began to brew.

But Washington’s belief in itself never wavered.

“When things get tough and maybe we can lose faith in ourselves, there’s that family vibe that we have where you play for the person next to you,” senior defensive end Zion Tupuola-Fetui said. “We have eight, nine games that we won under seven points. That’s belief in each other. I always tell Mike that things are going bad, and I just know that we’ll be all right.”

The Huskies were more than all right.

When the final pass hit the turf and Washington had pulled through for another victory — its 21st in a row — it was the same result that the Huskies have become seemingly programmed to produce. Only this time, it secured a spot in the national championship game, where UW will face No. 1 Michigan on Monday, Jan. 8, at 4:30 p.m.

The matchup with the Wolverines is now all that separates the Huskies from college football immortality.

“The job’s not finished,” Penix said. “I feel like it’s definitely going to take more. I’m going to push myself to get this team more next week.”

Washington EDGE Bralen Trice holds up the Defensive MVP trophy after winning the 2024 Allstate Sugar Bowl against Texas on Jan. 1, 2024, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

KEY STATS

430 Yards passing by Michael Penix Jr.

14 Wins for the Huskies

532 Total yards of offense for Washington

3 Consecutive incompletions by Texas to end the game

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

34 13

JAN. 8 at NRG STADIUM

HOUSTON, TEXAS

It’s important to soak in the moment.

When Washington took the field at Houston’s NRG Stadium on Jan. 8, it represented a team that had reached the pinnacle of the sport.

Few could have predicted then, with the brightest lights imaginable beaming down on the Huskies, that the following week would bring forth unimaginable turmoil and uncertainty.

Michigan was the best team in college football. Even so, Washington had a chance to win the game going into the fourth quarter — for destiny to prevail one final time.

But it wasn’t meant to be.

The national championship loss — and the departure of head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama that soon followed — was a somber conclusion to a special season.

But while the final chapter ended in heartbreak, the story of the 2023 Washington football team will always be one of triumph.

1. Michigan RB Blake Corum is tackled by several Washington defenders during the College Football Playoff Championship game Jan. 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2. Washington players console each other after their loss during the College Football Playoff Championship game Jan. 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

3. Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer walks onto the field following the conclusion of the College Football Playoff Championship game Jan. 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.(EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

‘WE HAD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES’:

UW OFFENSE CAN’T EXECUTE IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME LOSS

ETHAN KILBREATH THE DAILY

HOUSTON, TEXAS — The Huskies had been tested before.

But never quite like they were Monday night.

In what became a 34-13 loss to No. 1 Michigan in the national championship game, the Washington football team faced early adversity like it hadn’t seen before this season. The Wolverines rolled to touchdowns on their first two drives of the game, taking an early 14-3 lead.

But the unsettling reality wasn’t the score — the Huskies have faced deficits — it was that, for the first time all season, they weren’t the best team on the field. Whether it was junior running back Donovan Edwards’ 41-yard touchdown rush on Michigan’s opening drive or his 46-yard touchdown run one drive later, in which the hole produced by his blockers was big enough for a semi-truck to drive through, it was clear that Washington was in an unfamiliar position, but one that it will now have to end its 2023 season with.

Being No. 2.

“It’s such a fine line,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said. “We’ve seen it all season between winning and losing. And I feel like I know what the score looks like, but I feel like that fine line

was right there again tonight. And we weren’t that far off.”

The Huskies responded to the early trouble; after a Michigan field goal opened the second quarter with a 17-3 lead in favor of the Wolverines, Washington’s defense stiffened.

UW held Michigan scoreless on six of its following seven drives, keeping the game within one score. But the Huskies could only hold for so long while the offense uncharacteristically sputtered.

When Michigan finally pulled away in the fourth quarter, the unfortunate reality became undeniable: Washington had finally met its match.

And yet, had it not been for a handful of spasms in execution, they may have been celebrating with a trophy in their hands upon the conclusion of the game.

“I didn’t feel like they did anything — I feel like we beat ourselves,” senior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said. “There were times we definitely had opportunities to make big-time plays, to make the game a lot different. But it comes down to executing. They’re a good team, but we had a lot of opportunities.”

Washington RB Dillon Johnson breaks a tackle during the College Football Playoff Championship game Jan. 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (EMMA

)

OTTOSEN THE DAILY

Case in point: Penix failed to connect with junior receiver Rome Odunze on a fourth-and-7 early in the second quarter — had the ball been placed perfectly, Odunze would have waltzed into the end zone to make the score 17-10.

“It’s on me,” Penix said. “I just gotta make the throw, that’s it.”

In terms of other execution errors, look to the opening play of the second half, when Penix’s pass to the sideline was intercepted, giving Michigan prime field position for a field goal.

Penix, who was wincing throughout the game and admitted postgame that he “wasn’t healthy,” finished the game 27 of 51 for 255 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

“I’m just happy that I was able to finish it with the guys,” Penix said. “I knew that I didn’t want them to take me out of the game because I’ve been through it too much.”

Also hindering the Huskies were any number of drops, perhaps most glaringly a muff by sophomore running back Will Nixon on second-and-15 that doomed Washington’s first drive of the fourth quarter.

Michigan may have been the best team on the field, but Washington certainly wasn’t its best self, either.

“We had some self-inflicted wounds that we did to ourselves,” DeBoer said. “Just some penalties, some plays that we usually are going to be making, and we didn’t quite make them.”

Despite a lackluster offensive showing, Washington entered the fourth quarter trailing by just seven, postured in a place it feels oh-so-familiar: with a chance to deliver in the clutch and win the game.

When Penix hit Odunze for a presumed 32-yard gain along the sideline, taking Washington down to Michigan’s 35-yard line, it had all the makings of another Huskies’ special. The offense, as anemic as it had been, appeared to be waking up at just the right time.

The fanbase, which broke out in increasingly-loud “Let’s go Huskies” chants since the dawn of the second quarter, certainly believed this.

Once again, it was winning time for Washington.

Then came the flag.

A holding penalty on sophomore offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten forced UW into a second-and-20, which the Huskies couldn’t overcome, and punted three plays later.

As airtight as Washington’s defense had been since the first quarter concluded, it couldn’t hold forever. Michigan struck for a 41-yard pass, followed by a 12-yard touchdown run four plays later.

Then, Washington’s magic ran out for good.

Penix connected with Odunze for a 44-yard gain to move the ball down to the Michigan 27-yard line. But once again, a penalty set back the Huskies — this time, a false start by Rosengarten.

Three plays later, facing a fourth-and-13, Washington’s hopes at being No. 1 hung in the balance.

But it wasn’t the Huskies’ night; Penix’s pass was intercepted, and run back to the Washington 8-yard line, effectively sealing the game in favor of the Wolverines. Two plays later, Michigan punched in a one-yard touchdown run, separating the score by 21 points.

To be the champion, the Huskies had to be perfect.

Instead, UW will go down as No. 2.

KEY STATS

303 Michigan’s total yards rushing

8 Michigan yards per carry

255 Yards passing by Michael Penix Jr. in his final collegiate game

1 Loss for Washington in the 2023 season

EPILOGUE

BAND & SPIRIT

College athletics aren’t just special because of the players on the field.

The true beauty behind college football lies in the pageantry that goes into gameday. The sounds of the band, and spirit squad echoing across campus the night before a game. The student section camping out on Red Square for College Gameday, then emptying their lungs on a big third down hours later.

Throughout the 2023 season, school spirit surrounding UW football was at an all-time high. At the forefront of Husky Fever was the band, which was led by Dr. Brad McDavid for the 30th season. A special season for the football team was also a special season for McDavid, in his last year at the helm.

From Rome Odunze choreographing the section to marching down the streets of New Orleans for the New Year’s Day parade, the band was just as stellar as the team itself.

And, from Montlake all the way to Houston, “Bow Down to Washington” never sounded better than it did in 2023.

ARLO ZUCKER THE DAILY

1. The University of Washington Spirit Squad marches along Decatur Street during the Allstate Sugar Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade on Dec. 31, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

2. EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY

3. The Washington cheerleaders root for their team prior to the start of the College Football Playoff Championship game on Jan. 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

4. Members of the Spirit team celebrate following the Washington victory at the Pac-12 Championship against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

5. The Washington spirit squad performs during the College Football Playoff Championship game on Jan. 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

1. Husky marching director Brad McDavid conducts the band during the Dawg Walk before a football game between the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at Husky Stadium. (MADDY GRASSY THE DAILY)

2. University of Washington marching band director Brad McDavid stands and watches the field during UW’s game against WSU on Nov. 25, 2023 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, WA. (EVAN MORUD THE DAILY)

THE DOUBLE BARLINE OF A CAREER: BRAD MCDAVID’S LEGACY AFTER 30 YEARS AS HUSKY MARCHING BAND DIRECTOR

MCKENNA SWEET THE DAILY

Among the flat cornfields of Ohio, the pageantry and music of parades stood out to a young Brad McDavid. During a time when halftime shows were still regularly broadcast during football games, McDavid knew growing up that he wanted to pursue a career in music.

After an influential experience marching with his sousaphone for Ohio State University, where McDavid dotted the famous ‘i’ three times during his college career, he chose to be a band director.

Now, Brad McDavid has reached the double barline of his 30-year career as the director of the Husky Marching Band (HMB), announcing his retirement this past fall quarter.

“This position takes a lot of time, a lot of late nights,” McDavid said. “But it also takes a lot of stamina … It was becoming more and more difficult for me to call up the degree of stamina that the position demands [and] that the students deserve.”

McDavid also explained that transitioning from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten conference impacted his decision to retire.

“The band members and I have had some incredible experiences traveling throughout the Pac-12 and the bowl games that are affiliated with the conference,” McDavid said in an email.

“But with the inevitable changes that are coming, I felt that the time was also right to let someone new guide the future of the Husky Band’s experiences through the new conference.”

McDavid first became the HMB’s director in 1994 and is only the fourth director within the band’s 94-year history. After spending his first five years rigorously recruiting new band members, McDavid grew the band from 160 members to 240.

“One thing I’m really proud of is that I didn’t come in trying to make a lot of wholesale changes,” McDavid said. “I’m pleased to say that, looking back on things, there’s not a whole lot I would do differently.”

Since McDavid is only the fourth director in HMB history, he has been able to mold a community that transcends the playing field.

“It happens almost every game that there’s like a new person that comes back and says, ‘Hey, Brad, how’s it going?’” Roger Wu Fu, HMB graduate assistant director, said. “It’s always such a cool thing to see that [McDavid] really seems to have built over his 30 years here a really strong sense of family with the Husky band.”

McDavid said that he goes to three to four band weddings a year, and that this year, two of

his former students came to summer band camp to show him their newborns.

“I tell you what, it really means the world to me,” McDavid said.

McDavid used UW’s quarter system to create connections within the band early on in the time between the beginning of football season and classes.

“We’ve got the advantage of getting to know each other for four weeks, and then all of a sudden classes start,” McDavid said. “You’re walking across a campus and running into, all of a sudden, many new friends that you’ve already made over the last four weeks.”

After designing and performing over 200 shows, McDavid said that one of the most poignant performances of his career was the first pregame show after 9/11.

“At pregame we simulate the raising of the flag, then we form a flag pole, and then the students raise this flag,” McDavid said. “Well, for the first time in the history of doing that, we raised it, and then we lowered it [to half-staff].”

Fu noted that during his three years working alongside McDavid, he has learned the most from McDavid’s ability to connect with those around him.

“He’s such a friendly person in a professional but warm way,” Fu said. “People will always remember his time here, and they’ll continue to know about him and the influence he’s had because it’s so deep-rooted in the people around him.”

Bridger Bourke shared this sentiment from his four years with HMB as a trombone player and drum major.

”It’s been an absolute joy to be a part of this band under Dr. McDavid,” Bourke said. “When we’re rehearsing, he has this really wonderful energy of focus, [and] he never forgets the people, which is amazing.”

With a lot more free time on his hands, McDavid is looking forward to two activi ties: traveling with his wife and tailgating. He also looked back and reflected on the impact he hopes to leave on HMB.

“I just really want to leave a legacy that speaks to the enjoyment lev el of the students,” McDavid said. “They’re the reason why anybody gets into this position. I just hope that they’ve been able to leave here with not only en joyment for the Husky Band experience, but also for the affinity for Husky sports and for their university in general, because of the great opportuni ties and the fun that we had. That’s what I hope my legacy is.”

1. The Washington marching band performs before the College Football Playoff Championship game Jan. 8, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

2. The Husky Marching Band plays before the Pac-12 Championship game against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. (EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY)

0 Jaivion Green CB 6-2 207 So. Houston, Texas / Lamar

0 Giles Jackson WR 5-9 178 Sr. Antioch, Calif. / Freedom

1 Jabbar Muhammad CB 5-10 183 Jr. DeSoto, Texas / DeSoto

1 Rome Odunze WR 6-3 215 Jr. Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman

2 Ja’Lynn Polk WR 6-2 204 So. Lufkin, Texas / Lufkin

2 Caleb Presley CB 6-0 177 Fr. Federal Way, Wash. / Rainier Beach

3 Mishael Powell CB 6-1 210 Jr. Seattle, Wash. / O’Dea

3 Rashid Williams WR 6-1 185 Fr. Brentwood, Calif. / Pittsburg

4 Germie Bernard WR 6-1 203 So. Las Vegas, Nev. / Liberty

4 Zion Tupuola-Fetui EDGE 6-4 254 Sr. Pearl City, Hawai’i / Pearl City

5 Dylan Morris QB 6-0 197 Jr. Puyallup, Wash. / Graham-Kapowsin

5 Edefuan Ulofoshio LB 6-1 236 Sr. Anchorage, Alaska / Bishop Gorman

6 Davon Banks CB 5-11 184 So. San Jacinto, Calif. / San Jacinto

9

Kamren Fabiculanan HUSKY 6-1

Sumner, Wash. / Sumner

Jr. Camarillo, Calif. / Westlake

Camdyn Stiegeler QB 6-1 203 R-Fr. Oregon City, Ore. / Oregon City 14 William Haskell QB 6-4 200 So. Glendale, Ariz. / Ironwood 14 Milton Hopkins Jr. EDGE 6-4 226 So. Seattle, Wash. / O’Dea 15 Zach Durfee EDGE 6-5 255 So. Dawson, Minn. / Dawson-Boyd

15 Taeshaun Lyons WR 6-1 170 Fr. Hayward, Calif. / Tennyson

16 Curley Reed CB 6-1 198 Fr. Lake Charles, La. / Lake Charles College Prep

17 Deven Bryant LB 5-11 216 Fr. Carson, Calif. / St. John Bosco

17 Teddy Purcell QB 6-1 186 So. Menlo Park, Calif. / Sacred Heart Prep

18 Vincent Holmes S 6-0 174 Fr. San Jacinto, Calif. / San Jacinto 18 Camden Sirmon WR 6-0 195 So. Missoula, Mont. / Sentinel

19 Darren Barkins CB 5-11 184 So. Spring Valley, Calif. / Mater Dei

19 Alex Johnson QB 6-6 214 Jr. Seattle, Wash. / Bishop Blanchet

20 Tybo Rogers RB 5-11 185 Fr. Bakersfield, Calif. / Bakersfield

20 Asa Turner S 6-3 200 Sr. Carlsbad, Calif. / Carlsbad

21 Dyson McCutcheon HUSKY 5-11 185 So. Claremont, Calif. / Bishop Amat

21 Daniyel Ngata RB 5-9 192 Jr. Reno, Nev. / Folsom (Calif.)

22 Cameron Davis RB 6-0 212 Jr. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / Upland

23 Leroy Bryant CB 5-11 178 Fr. Fairfield, Calif. / Angelo Rodriguez

24 Makell Esteen S 6-1 190 So. Hawthorne, Calif. / Lawndale

25 Ryder Bumgarner RB 5-9 185 Fr. Stanwood, Wash. / Stanwood

25 Elijah Jackson CB 6-1 191 So. Carson, Calif. / Lawndale

26 Diesel Gordon S 6-0 164 Fr. Arlington, Texas / Seguin

27 Jakson Berman CB 5-11 186 R-Fr. San Jose, Calif. / Valley Christian

28 Sam Adams II RB 6-2 207 So. Kirkland, Wash. / Eastside Catholic

28 Vincent Nunley S 6-1 187 So. Oakland, Calif. / Freedom

30 Sean Toomey-Stout S 5-10 192 Jr. Greenbank, Wash. / Coupeville

31 Luke Luchini WR 6-1 188 Fr. Meridian, Idaho / Rocky Mountain

32 Tristan Warner S 6-1 207 R-Fr. Tacoma, Wash. / Bellarmine Prep

33 Jordan Whitney LB 6-0 216 Fr. Oxnard, Calif. / Pacifica

34 Antonio Hill CB 5-11 188 Sr. Bellevue, Wash. / Bellevue

37 Jack Westover TE 6-3 248 Sr. Bellevue, Wash. / Mount Si

38 Jack McCallister P 6-0 216 So. Edmonds, Wash. / King’s

40 Anay Nagarajan CB 5-11 188 So. San Jose, Calif. / Saint Francis

41 Lance Holtzclaw EDGE 6-3 225 R-Fr. Dorchester, Mass. / Desert Ridge

42 Carson Bruener LB 6-2 226 Jr. Woodinville, Wash. / Redmond

43 Adam Saul P 6-6 192 So. Gurnee, Ill. / Warren Township

44 Austin Harnetiaux LB 6-3 237 R-Fr. Seattle, Wash. / Seattle Prep

45 Maurice Heims EDGE 6-5 249 So. Hamburg, Germany / Santa Margarita Catholic

46 Sekai Asoau-Afoa EDGE 6-4 263 Sr. Tacoma, Wash. / Fife

47 Anthony James EDGE 6-5 272 Fr. Lavon, Texas / Wylie East

48 Jacob Lane EDGE 6-5 250 Fr. Puyallup, Wash. / Emerald Ridge

49 Alex Froelich LS 6-2 213 So. South Pasadena, Calif. / Poly

49 Griffin Miller LB 6-2 221 R-Fr. Sammamish, Wash. / Eastlake

51 Braydon Bruener LB 6-0 194 R-Fr. Woodinville, Wash. / Redmond

52 Voi Tunuufi EDGE 6-1 260 Jr. South Jordan, Utah / East

53 Logan Lisherness LB 6-2 230 Fr. Puyallup, Wash. / Emerald Ridge

54 Parker Cross OL 6-2 277 Fr. Seattle, Wash. / Seattle Prep

54 Drew Fowler LB 6-1 222 Jr. Bellevue, Wash. / Bellevue

55 Jacob Bandes DL 6-3 302 Jr. Pittsburg, Calif. / Pittsburg

55 Troy Fautanu OL 6-4 317 Jr. Henderson, Nev. / Liberty

56 Geirean Hatchett OL 6-4 303 So. Ferndale, Wash. / Ferndale

56 Jacob Mason EDGE 6-2 245 Fr. Ferndale, Wash. / Ferndale

58 Zachary Henning OL 6-5 292 Fr. Centennial, Colo. / Grandview

63 Roice Cleeland OL 6-2 297 Fr. Vancouver, Wash. / Jesuit

64 Gaard Memmelaar OL 6-4 299 So. Caldwell, Idaho / Middleton

65 Samuel Peacock OL 6-6 296 So. Gig Harbor, Wash. / Gig Harbor

66 Landen Hatchett OL 6-2 310 Fr. Ferndale, Wash. / Ferndale

67 Aidan Anderson OL 6-4 313 Fr. Olympia, Wash. / North Thurston

68 Ulumoo Ale DL 6-6 327 Sr. Tacoma, Wash. / Fife

68 Soane Faasolo OL 6-8 290 Fr. East Palo Alto, Calif. / Menlo-Atherton

70 Jalen Klemm OL 6-5 281 R-Fr. Mars, Pa. / Pine-Richland

71 Nate Kalepo OL 6-6 327 Jr. Renton, Wash. / Rainier Beach

72 Parker Brailsford OL 6-2 275 R-Fr. Mesa, Ariz. / Saguaro

73 Roger Rosengarten OL 6-6 300 So. Highlands Ranch, Colo. / Valor Christian

74 Kahlee Tafai OL 6-5 327 Fr. Los Angeles, Calif. / Leuzinger

75 Robert Wyrsch OL 6-7 293 So. Capitola, Calif. / Soquel

76 Elishah Jackett OL 6-7 259 Fr. Orange, Calif. / El Modena

77 Julius Buelow OL 6-8 313 Jr. Kapolei, Hawai’i / Kapolei

78 Matteo Mele OL 6-6 298 Sr. Tucson, Ariz. / Salpointe Catholic

80 Jake Parnagian WR 5-9 203 R-Fr. Clovis, Calif. / Clovis North

81 Mason Wheeler WR 5-9 173 Jr. Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview

82 Owen Coutts WR 6-4 217 So. Seattle, Wash. / Ballard

82 Caleb Johnston LS 5-11 219 R-Fr. Ripon, Calif. / Ripon

83 Devin Culp TE 6-4 237 Sr. Spokane, Wash. / Gonzaga Prep

84 Jackson Girouard WR 6-0 188 So. Redwood City, Calif. / Sacred Heart Prep

85 Josh Cuevas TE 6-3 239 So. Los Angeles, Calif. / Campbell Hall

85 Addison Shrock PK 6-1 188 So. Bellingham, Wash. / Squalicum

86 Griffin Waiss TE 6-5 240 So. San Jose, Calif. / Bellarmine College Prep

87 Ryan Otton TE 6-6 243 R-Fr. Tumwater, Wash. / Tumwater

88 Jake Jennings EDGE 6-4 229 So. Gig Harbor, Wash. / Gig Harbor

88 Quentin Moore TE 6-4 255 Jr. Kenmore, Wash. / Inglemoor

89 Jaden Green LS 5-11 214 Jr. Gilbert, Ariz. / Mesa

89 Keith Reynolds WR 5-9 177 Fr. Adelanto, Calif. / Adelanto

90 Elinneus Davis DL 6-2 322 Fr. Moorhead, Minn. / Moorhead

91 John Frazier TE 6-6 244 So. Mountain View, Calif. / Saint Francis

91 Tuli Letuligasenoa DL 6-1 292 Sr. Concord, Calif. / De La Salle

93 Habib Bello DL 6-2 310 Fr. Bellingham, Wash. / Sehome

94 Jayvon Parker DL 6-3 297 So. Detroit, Mich. / Fordson

95 Grady Gross PK 5-11 209 So. Scottsdale, Ariz. / Horizon

95 Armon Parker DL 6-3 307 R-Fr. Detroit, Mich. / Fordson

96 Troy Petz P 6-1 172 Fr. Lynden, Wash. / Lynden

97 Bradley McGannon DL 6-4 283 So. Yelm, Wash. / Yelm

99 Faatui Tuitele DL 6-3 317 r. Honolulu, Hawai’i / Saint Louis

When the nucleus of Washington’s 11-win 2022 team agreed to come back for another season, expectations instantly shot to the sky for the Huskies’ 2023 campaign.

In the months that followed, UW didn’t shy away from its goals: Win the Pac-12 championship, get to the College Football Playoff, and then win the whole damn thing.

Talking the talk is one thing, but the Huskies walked the walk all the way to NRG Stadium in Houston.

Washington’s campaign ultimately ended in heartbreak with a 34-13 loss to Michigan, there’s no way around that.

And, there’s also that elephant in the room — with pun intended to Alabama’s mascot “Big Al” — in head coach Kalen DeBoer bolting to the Crimson Tide within a week of the championship, leaving Washington with an uncertain, but cautiously optimistic future, as it enters the Big Ten.

Another story will begin Aug. 31, 2024, when UW kicks off the Jedd Fisch era at home against Weber State. Hopefully, it will be a good one.

But the story of the 2023 season will be carved in stone within the walls of Husky Stadium. The players, coaches, students, and fans of the first 14-win team in program history will never forget the excitement, the wins, and yes, even the loss, that they experienced.

So here’s to the team that brought together a university, and a city, in a collective purple haze during fall Saturdays. Here’s to a team that won’t ever be forgotten.

Here’s to the team of destiny.

— ETHAN KILBREATH AND TY GILSTRAP, CO-SPORTS EDITORS

EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY

EMMA OTTOSEN THE DAILY