On Washington’s opening drive, Michael Penix drove the Huskies . The Indiana transfer delivered passes Michigan State finished with 365 yards of offense but much of the yardage came when the game was out of reach.
Even with Jaxson Kirkland sidelined, Penix passed seemingly at will for the first three quarters going 23 for 32 for
10. According to Washington defensive back, Alex Cook, Husky Stadium had a big part in helping with the outcome of the game.
“They played the whole game for us,” the senior captain said. “They gave us the energy, in which we obtained. We embraced it and we let it out on our opponent. They played lights out for us.”
Michigan State QB Payton Thorne started the game completing his first 10 passes before one finally hit the turf. On the night he completed 70-percent of his passes going 30-41 for 323 yards, 3 TDs and an interception.
9. For a good portion of the game Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk had more offensive yards than Michigan State had as a team. The Husky offense finished the opening period with 167 yards to MSU’s 11 total yards. Penix hit 9 different receivers and targeted Polk nine times.
8. In building a 22-point lead, Washington won in every facet of the game. When the Spartans finally got onto the scoreboard the decision was made that they would forego all point after attempts for attempting 2-point conversions. The gamble paid off initially, cutting Washington’s lead to 14 points at 22-8. In the end no advantage was gained as the Spartans were only able to convert 2 of their 4 two-point attempts, giving them 4 of a possible 8 points.
7. Seven was the number of the opening drive for Washington, going 77 yards on 7 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Only once were the Huskies faced with a third down, converting 3rd and one at the UW 32 yard line. On the night the Huskies and Spartans were 7-16 on 3rd downs.
6. Senior defensive back Alex Cook snuffed out Michigan State’s first drive dropping MSU quarterback Payton Thorn in backfield for a 6-yard loss. At halftime Cook led all tacklers with 6. Midway through the 2nd quarter it seemed that the Spartans felt as if they had no ability to stop Washington, choosing to go for it on 4th down the rest of the way.
5. Julius Irvin had his first interception of the season, the second Twice the Huskies had drives stall inside the 5 yard line. Twice the Washington defense responded accounting for 5 of the expected 14 points. See number 2 for more details.
4. To start the second half Michigan drove the length of the field, going 75 yards in 8 plays in just over 3 minutes. Penix responded with a scoring drive for Washington a 53-yard strike to Polk. The 57-second drive 73 yards in 4 plays. Twice the Huskies had scoring drives of 4 plays that took than a minute.
3. After Washington’s 3rd touchdown of the game, a 19-yard reception by running back Wayne Tualapapa, the snap was botched and no point after was attempted. The score remained 22-0. On the season Peyton Henry remains perfect, hitting on all 4 of is point after attempts against the Spartans and his only field goal.
2. Despite twice turning the ball over on downs on the Michigan State 1 yard line the Huskies came away with points, albeit in a roundabout fashion. Both times the defense allowed Michigan State to have one play. The first one came in the first quarter for a safety the other was in the 4th quarter and a Julius Irvin interception at MSU 9-yard line. Peyton Henry kicked a 26-yard field goal.
1. On 4th and goal from the Michigan State 1 yard line, with a 1:30 remaining in the the first quarter, Michigan State tackled Penix for a 1-yard loss. That was the one and only negative yardage play for the Spartan Defense. The Huskies offense had zero fumbles, zero interceptions and zero sacks allowed.
