Michael Penix Jr. of the Washington Huskies football team put on a show in the Sugar Bowl game against the Texas Longhorns to set up a College Football Playoff National Championship dance with the Michigan Wolverines.
He proved why he was a Heisman Trophy runner-up and why people who voted for him were right.
He completed 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He got the balls on a string to orchestrate a masterful offense and lead his team to a victory against the no. 3 seed Texas.
Penix was feeling himself after the game. He said, "I feel like everything I've been through prepared me for this."
It is actually him who chased this moment. After four years with the Indiana Hoosiers, he selected Washington football as his next move.
Coach Kalen DeBoer shared that Penix Jr. was adamant about seeing a roster that can help him maximize his talent.
"Michael wanted to know the offensive line, who they were going to be. Wanted to make sure he could be protected," DeBoer shared.
"I think he trusted what his talent was and what he could do with the football as long as he had some of those pieces to keep him upright and give him a chance. I did, as well."
They face Michigan Wolverines next as underdogs, and needless to say, it will be the Penix-led offense by the Huskies against the best-of-the-nation defense by the Wolves.
Michigan suffocating defense vs Penix Jr. masterful offense
It may have been suggested that the Washington Huskies will only go as far as where Penix Jr. will take them, but it should also go without saying that he can't do it alone.
He came to the team in 2022, strongly liking Washington's offensive line and overall offense. He wanted to ensure he would be protected, and DeBoer fulfilled that duty.
The Huskies are four nationally when it comes to keeping the QB well-defended, allowing just 11 sacks all season long. Penix was tackled just once in every 45 pass attempts made.
They got that figured out. Next is the defense, which is their biggest concern coming into the finals game.
Michigan is ranked first in yards allowed per game with 243.1. In comparison, the Huskies allow 404 YPG to rank 97th overall.
The Wolverines' rushing defense allows just 93.1 YPG (9th), much better than the Huskies' 137 YPG (43rd).
Alabama Crimson Tide Football got a whole serving of this nasty defense in their Rose Bowl match-up. They limited coach Nick Saban's squad to a season-low 288 yards in the 27-20 Rose Bowl victory. This is through the lead of their talented back-end defense, which can make Washington's passing attack miserable.
The Huskies offense should be ready to elevate their game with Penix Jr. in the lead. His top targets against Texas were wide receiver Rome Odunze, with 87 receptions for 1,553 yards and 13 touchdowns, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan.
They are also lucky that Dillon Johnson will return without a hiccup after an injury scare during the Sugar Bowl. The running back went down in the game's final minutes after a third-down carry.
Washington Huskies' offense is well-prepared against the Michigan Wolverines. This is going to be a dog fight.
Related article: Washington Football - 3 Reasons Huskies Will Beat Michigan in National Championship
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