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Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. leaves field at the end of the half against Michigan of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
HOUSTON (AP) — Michael Penix Jr. couldn’t complete the final chapter in his storybook season Monday night.
The quarterback with two surgically repaired knees threw for 255 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, taking a pounding as No. 2 Washington fell to top-ranked Michigan 34-13 in the College Football Playoff championship game.
Penix returned for a sixth season to try and help the Huskies to a title, but the Heisman Trophy runner-up’s performance wasn’t enough to overcome a terrible start by his team’s defense.
“Everybody knows my story,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot. I’ve had ups and downs. But I’m thankful for it all. I’m super blessed.”
Washington (14-1) was obliterated by Michigan (15-0) for 174 yards rushing and 229 total yards in the first quarter as the Huskies fell behind 14-3.
They tightened things up after that, and Penix got Washington within a touchdown on a 3-yard TD pass late in the second quarter.
But Penix’s elite precision eluded him throughout. Renowned for his deep ball accuracy, he missed narrowly on several downfield passes.
“I just feel like it came down to executing,” he said. “I missed a couple of throws. Just a couple of reads on routes and stuff like that. Just small details within our system that we do great all the time.”
Penix took a beating in his college finale, too. After the game, he limped in the tunnel back toward Washington’s locker room, a towel covering his face and his right arm protecting his apparently tender side.
An interception on the first play of the second half cost Washington momentum, and he couldn’t get his team in…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/sensational-season-penix-jr-takes-062448890.html
Author : Kitsap Sun
Publish date : 2024-01-09 06:24:48
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