Michael Penix Jr. underwent surgery while leading Washington to a win over Texas in the Sugar Bowl and a trip to the national title game.
The QB completed 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Huskies to a 37-31 victory in the College Football Playoff semifinals in New Orleans on Monday.
Texas went for the winning touchdown in the closing minutes, but the pass from the 12-yard line fell incomplete as time expired, and the Huskies hung on in a surprisingly tense finish.
The Longhorns (12-2) had no answer for Penix, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, but their late surge came just short. Wisconsin State never trailed, and it was a back-and-forth battle in the first half, but the Huskies took control at the start of the second half, scoring 13 consecutive points, taking a 34-21 lead.
Texas nearly pulled off a miraculous comeback in the final minutes, but couldn’t complete it.
Washington (14-0) continues its dream undefeated season and will play Michigan next week in Houston for the national championship. The University of Michigan defeated the University of Alabama 27-20 in overtime in the Rose Bowl that day, advancing to the title game.
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Here’s how the wild Sugar Bowl turned out.
Injured Huskies running back Dillon Johnson is enjoying this moment:
There were two great finishes in today’s CFP semi-final.
Next Monday, Washington will play Michigan for the national title in Houston.
incomplete! Washington wins 37-31!!!
What a result!
4th down with 12.1 seconds left. Let’s go…
play stand. First, they beat Texas by 12.
He completed a pass down the sideline to Jadon Blue at the 12-yard line.
He made a catch on the field. under consideration.
Playback time is 20 seconds. Texas needs to go 28 yards.oh
Ewers to Jordan Whittington on a big play downfield! Ball at Washington 28!
Texas started the drive with the ball in their own 31st. Less than 40 seconds left. There are no timeouts. They need a TD.
Washington running back Dillon Johnson was injured.
Well…this isn’t over yet. Washington successfully punted away after Texas used its final two timeouts and the clock stopped after a third-down run due to a Blue University injury.
Washington scores an onside kick and the crime is over!
As the dream season continues, UW advances to the CFP title game for the first time in university history!
Texas pushed within 10 points but settled for a short field goal.
It was 37-31 Huskies with 1:09 left. Onside kick comes.
Grady Gross made a 27-yard field goal and the Huskies trailed by two points with 2:40 remaining.
Washington leads 37-28 and you can get a taste of it.
Washington quickly pushed it down the field, leading to UW’s first goal with less than four minutes left.