The Washington Huskies took down the Texas Longhorns 27-20 in the Alamo Bowl on Wednesday evening in UW’s first bowl game appearance since 2019.
In a game that the Huskies led from start to finish, the final score was much closer than the play indicated. Washington controlled the game on offense and defense, methodically rushing the ball and eating up the clock all night. UW quarterback Michael Pennix Jr. threw for 287 yards, two touchdowns and one pick. Pennix, who last week announced his decision to return to UW next fall for his senior season, struggled early on, including throwing an interception on the Huskies’ first possession of the game.
After taking a 13-3 lead into halftime, the Huskies amassed a 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter when Pennix found Jalen McMillan for an 8-yard touchdown strike. Senior RB Wayne Taulapapa enjoyed a productive night, rushing for 108 yards on 14 carries, including a 42-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. It was his fifth straight game with a rushing touchdown, giving him 11 total for the season.
Texas QB Quinn Ewers played well in his first career bowl game, throwing for 369 yards and one touchdown. The Longhorns struggled with their ground game however, rushing 18 times for 51 yards. The team sorely missed star RB Bijan Robinson, who declared for the NFL draft last week and chose not to play in the game. The Longhorns, who are coached by former UW head coach Steve Sarkisian, finish the season 8-5.
Washington (11-2) won six straight games to close out the regular season and finishes with the program’s first 11-win season since 2011. The Huskies, who will welcome the addition of several key transfers this offseason, are squarely in a position to snag a college football playoff spot in 2023, which will be the final year of the four-team selection process. The CFP will move to twelve teams starting in the 2024-2025 season.
Northwest Sports Desk 