Michael Penix Jr. has Heisman moment as No. 6 Washington outlasts No. 8 Oregon in a Back-and-Forth Thriller
The Huskies star had two emphatic throws that led his team to a Top-10 win
In a thrilling game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, No. 7 Washington made an unforgettable comeback in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 8 Oregon and take possession of the Pac-12 championship race with a 36-33 win at home.
Michael Penix Jr. was the star of the game, throwing for 302 yards and four touchdown passes. But what stood out was how he orchestrated the game-winning touchdown drive after Oregon failed to convert on a critical fourth down. With only two passes, Penix advanced the ball 53 yards down the field and scored against a tough Ducks defense that had limited Washington's scoring opportunities. This victory puts the Huskies in a substantial position to win the Pac-12 championship, and with Penix's outstanding performance, he has made a captivating case for the Heisman Trophy.
Penix and Rome Odunze, the star wide receiver, confidently identified an advantageous matchup in the coverage before the snap. They quickly took notice and capitalized on the opportunity, as Penix threw an 18-yard strike that eventually became the game-winner. Odunze has consistently proven to be Penix's most reliable target throughout the season, and he did not disappoint on Saturday, with eight catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite losing Jalen McMillan, another wide receiver, to an injury early in the game, Odunze and the other wide receivers stepped up with unwavering confidence and answered the call.Â
Driving half of the field for a game-winning touchdown in a top-10 battle is the influence of a mature and resilient team that has stamped itself as a possible College Football Playoff contender with one of the finest wins in the nation. The Huskies' offense had just been stopped near the goal line on fourth down earlier in the fourth quarter, but they were not discouraged when the defense gave them another possibility to win the game.
The Huskies executed with stability and perseverance, displaying that they possess the nerve and resolve required to compete at the highest level for a Pac-12 Championship and even battle for a National Championship in the College Football Playoff.
The 115th matchup between the rivals was the first that featured both teams ranked in the top 10, along with a couple of quarterbacks in Penix and Bo Nix, who should contend for honor as the best player in college.
Plenty of Oregon Ducks fans will review whether the three fourth-down attempts- all of which failed- were the right decisions. Oregon coach Dan Lanning has long stood firm on the models of Oregon being an assertive football team, and his determinations on both fourth down and 2-point tries have remained constant throughout the season.
Fans may or may not agree with Lanning's creed, but that is who he is as a head coach. His principles are high risk and high reward. When he is victorious, there isn't a concern, but on days like these, when he isn't, he has to be questioned and evaluated.
But in a game that ended on a failed field goal attempt to tie the game, all of those marginal decisions will get a second glimpse. Oregon outgained the Huskies by more than 100 yards,541-415, had more first downs 32 compared to 24, and undoubtedly had the chance to ice the game late. When it comes down to it, Penix and the Huskies delivered critical plays in the most significant junctures of this rivalry between Pac-12 title contenders.Â
The Huskies improved to 6-0 on the season with the victory, while the Ducks dropped to 5-1. College football fans are already hollering for a rematch between these two programs. They could meet in the Pac-12 Championship game later this year. After the thrashing that USC took by the hands of Notre Dame, losing 48-20, and having defensive problems in each game that they played, it is easy to say that the Trojans could be in trouble when they have to match up against Washington (November 4th) and Oregon (November 11th) in back to back weeks.
The Breakdown
Oregon: There are no moral victories here, but if there were, the differences between the Ducks and the Huskies would be razor-thin. This game could have gone either way, and the outcome came down to Dan Lanning's fourth-down calls and not kicking the field goals. Once again, aggressive is his middle name; they may meet again down the line, and the contest will turn out differently.
Oregon will ramp up to play Washington State next weekend, where they will play host to WSU, which is coming off of a 44-6 devastating loss to Arizona, in which they couldn't get anything going offensively. The Wildcats held the Cougars to 35 yards on 22 carries.
Washington: The Huskies walk away from this game where they were outgained by 100 yards and ended up winning a game that could have gone either way. On the plus side, the rushing attack finally reared its head when Dillon Johnson rushed for 100 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown. For most of the season, the Huskies were one-dimensional regarding their offense. That was never going to be a recipe for winning the Pac-12.Â
Adjustments will need to be made to their defense, as their secondary was getting burned most of the day. They need more depth to change at those key skill positions, but something must change there. Otherwise, teams will continuously throw over the top for massive gains week in and week out.
The Huskies will move on and play host to Arizona State next weekend. The Sun Devils have lost their last five games but have been competitive in each game, challenging USC to lose to Cal and Colorado by only three points. It's important not to underestimate this team. Although they may have different talent than other teams, the Sun Devils could sneak a win if the Huskies aren't adequately prepared.