The Washington Huskies 37-31 defeated the Texas Longhorns in the 2024 Sugar Bowl, setting up a rematch of the 1992 Rose Bowl when UW last won a National Championship.

The final score didn’t have to be that close as the Huskies could have made it a 3-score game in the second half, but  a few “cute” play calls and untimely penalties let the Longhorns back in the game and in position to win it on the game’s final play.

Here is one last look at the Huskies’ 6-point victory over the Longhorns:

Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

There was overwhelming belief that the Texas Longhorns would get their revenge in Monday’s Sugar Bowl after last year’s 27-20 win for the Washington Huskies in the Alamo Bowl.

Those beliefs would have seemed more eminent entering the Superdome Monday night and saw a crowd appearing to be a ratio of 2-1 in favor of the Burnt Orange.

This crowd was prepared to watch the Longhorns do what they had done all year: shut down the run game, hold firm in the redzone, and play a complete four quarters with a heavy air attack from quarterback Quinn Ewers.

Washington QB Michael Penix knew that he could silence those not in Purple and Gold with his arm and he did just that when he found wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on his first pass of the game.

The Huskies struck first and never trailed in this contest.

“[The first catch] was a big statement…that’s what got us going early on so Rome [Odunze], J Mac [Jalen Mcmillan], and Germie [Bernard] could go make plays all game” said Polk after the game. He finished the game with 5 receptions for 122 yards and a score.

Turning Point

Polk set the tone early in the first half, but it was Huskies Cornerback Asa who was the X-factor in the second half. Defensive end Bralen Trice forced a fumble early in the Longhorns’ first drive of the half. Asa jumped on it, and the Huskies used this to go up 31-21 on a Grady Gross field goal  with 7:14 to play in the third.

It Was Over When 

While that gave the Huskies some cushion, they needed everything to hold off the Horns in the final minute of the game. The Huskies sent the ball back to the Horns with a 37-31 lead and 41 seconds on the clock. Quinn Ewers and the offense marched right down the field and had a 1st and 10 at the 12-yard line to put the Huskies away. Mishael Powell appeared to end the contest on a third down, taking down Ewers as he threw the ball away, but officials put 0:01 back on the clock. One final stop, this time in the form of an Elijah Jackson knockaway, punched the Huskies’ ticket to Houston as the clock hit 0:00–the second time.

Penalties

The Huskies, at some points during the season, seemed to be unable to get out of their own way with costly penalties.  However, against UT they remained disciplined, despite the Longhorns surge at the end. Washington held the advantage on penalties, only having 5 penalties which cost them 39 yards, compared to the Longhorns 10 penalties for 66 yards. The Dawgs controlled the clock as well, maintaining possession a full 12:40 more than the Longhorns.

Although a kick catch interference and later hit on Ewers’ slide late in the game let Texas back in the game, drive-killing penalties from early in the season were mostly eliminated.

Big Boy Football

The Longhorns had only allowed 9 rushing TD’s all year, and were giving up 82.4 rushing yards per contest this season. Dillon Johnson’s two rushing TD’s capped off a dominant performance of over 100 yards on the ground for the Washington offense, as they proved that they are a top 2 team in the country.

The Washington Huskies now have a chance to deliver a perfect 15-0 season, a feat that only four teams have accomplished in the history of college football. Washington (14-0) will play Michigan (14-0) at 4:30pm PST next Monday at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.