University of Washington
4-0 , 1-0
California
2-2 , 0-1
No. 8 UW Uses 45-Point First Half To Top Cal 59-32
September 23, 2023 | Football
Washington led 14-0 before star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. ever saw the field. And when he did, Penix threw for three first-half touchdowns as the Huskies tied a school record for points in a half.
Washington (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) made everything look surprisingly easy, leading by as much as 40 against an opponent that has been tough in recent years.
Penix played into the third quarter and finished 19 of 25 for 304 yards. He found Ja'Lynn Polk for touchdowns of eight and 24 yards, the first of which Polk pinned the ball against his helmet as he went to the turf.
Odunze followed up his TD catch in the first half with a 13-yard scoring reception in the third quarter on a screen pass.
Polk finished with eight catches for 127 yards and Odunze had five receptions for 125 yards.
The 101st meeting between the Golden Bears and Huskies was the conference opener for both and saw Cal quarterback Ben Finley intercepted three times in the first half. The problems started for the Bears (2-2, 0-1) immediately as Ulofoshio intercepted a poor throw by Finley on the sixth play of the game. It was the first interception of Ulofoshio's career.
Cal was forced to punt on its next possession and Odunze found open space for the first punt return touchdown of his career.
Cal running back Jadyn Ott was held to 40 yards on 14 carries.
Washington's 45 points in the first half matched a school record set four times previously. It also tied California's record for most points allowed in a half. Washington also scored 40 or more points in a fourth straight game in the same regular season for the first time since 1944.
The Huskies enjoyed yet another big offensive day despite wide receiver Jalen McMillan not playing due to injury.
The Huskies travel to Arizona next Saturday for a 7 p.m. PDT kickoff on Pac-12 Networks.
Follow @UW_Football for the latest updates on the Huskies.
Team Stats
CAL 0, UW 7
UW - Ulofoshio,Edefuan 45 yd interception (Gross,Grady kick)
CAL 0, UW 14
UW - Odunze,Rome 83 yd punt return (Gross,Grady kick)
CAL 6, UW 14
CAL - Hunter,Jeremiah 7 yd pass from Finley,Ben () 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:21
CAL 6, UW 21
UW - Polk,Ja'Lynn 8 yd pass from Penix Jr.,Michael (Gross,Grady kick) 7 plays, 73 yards, TOP 03:27
CAL 6, UW 24
UW - Gross,Grady 41 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 00:55
CAL 6, UW 31
UW - Johnson,Dillon 3 yd run (Gross,Grady kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:42
CAL 12, UW 31
CAL - Davis,Taj 24 yd pass from Finley,Ben () 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:23
CAL 12, UW 38
UW - Polk,Ja'Lynn 24 yd pass from Penix Jr.,Michael (Gross,Grady kick) 6 plays, 48 yards, TOP 03:02
CAL 12, UW 45
UW - Odunze,Rome 35 yd pass from Penix Jr.,Michael (Gross,Grady kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 00:48
CAL 12, UW 52
UW - Odunze,Rome 13 yd pass from Penix Jr.,Michael (Gross,Grady kick) 7 plays, 68 yards, TOP 03:20
CAL 19, UW 52
CAL - Ott,Jaydn 2 yd run (Luckhurst,Michael kick), 9 plays, 77 yards, TOP 02:48
CAL 25, UW 52
CAL - Grizzell,Trond 20 yd pass from Jackson V,Sam () 8 plays, 87 yards, TOP 02:37
CAL 25, UW 59
UW - Adams II,Sam 9 yd run (Shrock,Addison kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:40
CAL 32, UW 59
CAL - Stredick,Ashton 3 yd run (Bhaghani,Mateen kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:28
