University of Washington
14-1 , 9-0
Michigan
15-0 , 9-0
UW Falls In CFP National Championship
January 08, 2024 | Football
Michael Penix Jr. finished 27 for 51 for 255 yards and a touchdown as No. 2 Washington (14-1) had their 21-game winning streak snapped by No. 1 Michigan.
"They've given me everything they possible can," coach Kalen DeBoer said of a group of players who went 4-8 just two seasons ago and 25-3 since he took over in 2022.
Two long touchdown runs by Donovan Edwards and 229 yards rushing in the first quarter put the Wolverines up 17-3 early in the second.
Washington stabilized and didn't allow the Wolverines another point in the first half. After the Huskies stopped Michigan on a fourth-and-two from the UW 38 with 4:46 left in the second quarter, Penix went to work.
He found Jalen McMillan on a fourth-and-goal with 42 seconds left for a three-yard touchdown. After being on the verge of getting buried by the Wolverines, the Huskies fans sang along to "Who Let the Dogs Out," happily down 17-10 at half.
Will Johnson's interception of Penix on the first play of the second half gave Michigan another opportunity to open up a two-touchdown lead, but the Huskies forced another field goal by James Turner to make it 20-10.
On the ensuing possession, the Huskies got a 14-yard reception from Devin Culp to get into Michigan territory. The drive ended in a 45-yard field goal by Grady Gross, his third and final of the day, to make it a one-score game again.
That was the final time the Huskies would put points on the board. Dillon Johnson, who continued to play through injury, rush 11 times for 33 yards.
The 2023 season saw the Huskies rewrite the record book. Washington set a new program record with 14 wins. The team also tied the record for most home wins in a season, matching last year's 7-0 mark at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.
UW carried the longest active winning streak in the country into Monday's game and played in their first College Football Playoff National Championship game in the final rendition of the four-team format. It was the final game for the Huskies as a member of the Pac-12.
Keep up with the Huskies by following @UW_Football on Instagram and X/Twitter.
Team Stats
UW 0, UM 7
UM - Edwards,Donovan 41 yd run (Turner,James kick), 8 plays, 84 yards, TOP 04:42
UW 3, UM 7
UW - Gross,Grady 25 yd field goal 14 plays, 67 yards, TOP 06:18
UW 3, UM 14
UM - Edwards,Donovan 46 yd run (Turner,James kick), 4 plays, 86 yards, TOP 01:27
UW 3, UM 17
UM - Turner,James 31 yd field goal 5 plays, 65 yards, TOP 01:53
UW 10, UM 17
UW - McMillan,Jalen 3 yd pass from Penix Jr.,Michael (Gross,Grady kick) 11 plays, 61 yards, TOP 04:01
UW 10, UM 20
UM - Turner,James 38 yd field goal 6 plays, 12 yards, TOP 03:00
UW 13, UM 20
UW - Gross,Grady 45 yd field goal 7 plays, 47 yards, TOP 02:57
UW 13, UM 27
UM - Corum,Blake 12 yd run (Turner,James kick), 5 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:35
UW 13, UM 34
UM - Corum,Blake 1 yd run (Turner,James kick), 2 plays, 8 yards, TOP 00:52
