The Washington Huskies decided to wait until the start of the second quarter to kick off quarterback Michael Penix’s Heisman campaign–but it was well worth the wait. The senior from Tampa, Florida
It took until 51 seconds into the 2nd quarter the Huskies finally got on the board as Penix marched the Huskies went 73 yards in 7 plays. The touchdown to set up by a 35-yard completion to McMillan. On Washington’s first 3 drives Penix is is 9-10 for 88 yards and a touchdown. On Washington’s next 5 drives he went 8-14 for 176 yards and 3 TDs. In fact, Penix was 5-5 on Washington’s first 2 drives but for just 23 yards. All passes to different receivers. He was sacked once for minus 6 yards on 3rd down on third down.
On Boise State’s ensuing possession Washington cornerback Davon Banks with a huge pass breakup on 3rd and 10 from the UW 27, forcing a 44-yard field goal. That was one of this 4 pass breakups, three that brought Bronco drives to a halt. The kick was partially blocked but Asa Turner gets flagged for running into the kicker and Boise State knocked through a 39-yard FG to retake the lead.
After a big 21 yard gain by Nixon out to the BSU 43 yard line a throwaway by Penix and a hold on a completion gave the Huskies 2nd and 15 at the Boise State 48. Penix missed a wide open Jalen McMillan at the 15. Bernard got behind two defenders but couldn’t haul in the touchdown pass from Penix.
Washington’s first turnover of the season was nearly a safety by Taylen Green. Ulumoo Ale with the pressure forced Green to unload the ball. The play was initially ruled a safety but after a review Green was ruled out of the pocket–the the Pac-12 refs giveth the Pac-12 refs taketh. The hit by Ale paid dividends as Green was off the mark on his next two passes, going 0-3 from their own 10 yard line. Green missed on his next 10 passes.
Washington tried getting a ground game going but Dillon Johnson was only able to pick up a yard on a run that was stuffed at the line of scrimmage. However, he followed that up with a 21-yard reception on first down on the next drive. Two plays 38-yard strike to Jalen McMillan after a Penix found Dillon Johnson wide open, 3 plays 59 yards.
He scored his first Husky TD with 6:57 to go in the game on a 1-yard run to cap of the final scoring drive before quarterback Dylan Morris took the reins.
In the span of 11 passes Penix passed for 4 touchdowns to four different receivers–starting off with the pass to McMillan. Two passes later he connected with Polk for a 44-yard score, followed by a 20 yard connection to Westover and 5 yard fade to Rome Odunze as the Huskies built a 35-19 lead heading into the 4th quarter.
After a big kickoff return by Germie Bernard the Husky offense wasn’t able to convert in plus field position going 3 and out, including Penix being sacked for a six-yard loss.
On the other side of the ball Washington’s early pressure seemed to get to Green. On the first play of the game Zion Tupuola-Fetui had pressure from the backside. and scrambled right into All-American edge rusher Bralen Trice.
Pass breakup by Mishael Powell on what would have been a first down. Powell on the next play got his hand on an overthrow forcing a 3rd and 10 from the 10. Green is comfortable passing from deep in his endzone. Washington only rushes and Green stands in the pocket and delivers an 11-yard strike. Green hooks up with Stefan Cobbs for 40 yards. Green follows that up with a 15 yard pass to Eric McAlister who drags his foot to complete the catch.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty went untouched into the endzone for a 7-yard score, the point after is no good giving the the Broncos a 6-0 advantage.
“We just kept telling our guys, ‘the game will come back to you’,” Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer said of Washington’s early struggle.
And the game did come back to the last year’s number 1 slot receiver in the nation, Jalen McMillan. On second and 5 Penix found McMillan over the middle who did the rest of the work his legs. On the afternoon McMillan caught 8 passes for 95 yards, and two TDs. He also had a 9-yard pass completion to and a 19 yard wildcat touchdown, finishing with 120 all-purpose yards.
