3Q | Huskies 33, Utah 28
12:30 p.m. | Husky Stadium | Seattle
TV: FOX | Radio: SportsRadio 93.3-FM KJR
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Pregame reading: No. 5 Washington vs. No. 13 Utah
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3:09 p.m
The Penix-Odunze connection results in another touchdown, giving UW a 33-28 lead over Utah
The points game: Michael Penix Jr. hits Rome Odunze across the middle in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown. However, Odunze’s pass attempt to Devin Culp to score two points failed.
The ride: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:03.
The history: Tight end Jack Westover saved Penix – and that touchdown drive – with a thrilling, acrobatic catch on a fourth-and-2 at the Utah 44. Let’s not forget this play later.
The score: Washington 33, Utah 28. 3:58 in the 3rd quarter.
3:05 p.m
You may remember that Jack Westover also saved Michael Penix Jr. on a fourth down catch against Oregon.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
3:02 p.m
Denzel Boston was completely trashed but popped right back up. They check the targeting.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
3:01 p.m
The UW defense forces the decisive three-pointer
The ride: 3 plays, minus 4 yards, 0:44.
The history: Huge three-pointer forced by the UW defense as Bryson Barnes begins to lack the accuracy he displayed in the first half.
Next possession: UW starts 33 alone.
Time left: 7:12 in the 3rd quarter.
2:56 p.m
After a delay in the game, the Huskies settled for a field goal on their fourth attempt
The points game: Midway through the third quarter, Grady Gross hit a 38-yard field goal to cut Utah’s lead.
The ride: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:51.
The history: After a big pitch-and-catch between Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze, UW oddly ran a Penix rush on third-and-8 from the Utah 19-yard line that gained 3 yards. The Huskies then received a delay-of-game penalty on the fourth and fifth as they attempted the play and had to settle for the field goal.
The score: Utah 28, Washington 27.
2:52 p.m
Rome Odunze has two catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. To make them count, as they say.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
2:48 p.m
UW defense punts on Utah’s first drive of the second half
The ride: 3 plays, 3 yards, 1:32.
The history: UW forced a Utah punt, put Bryson Barnes under good pressure on third-and-7 at the Utah 28 and nearly made an interception. Will UW’s offense learn from its last drive?
Next possession: UW starts at its own 32.
Time left: 10:53 in the 3rd quarter.
That would have been the UW defense’s first interception since the pick-six against Arizona State. But UW still forces a key three-and-out.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
2:42 p.m
The Huskies put the ball away on their first possession of the second half
The ride: 4 plays, 19 yards, 2:29.
The history: On the first possession of the second half, the Huskies failed to extend a 28-yard rush by Dillon Johnson. Michael Penix Jr. was sacked for a 10-yard loss on third-and-9 as Utah applied pressure. UW’s offense still has some work to do, especially depending on how its defense performs this half.
Next possession: Utah starts at its own 25.
Time left: 12:25 in the 3rd quarter.
2:28 p.m
Halftime thoughts
It feels like Washington has to score a touchdown on every possession just to keep pace.
This is not a pleasant way to live.
And although the Huskies had 24 points and 260 total yards at halftime, there were also missed opportunities. In persistent winds, UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw to tight end Devin Culp and wide receiver Rome Odunze in the end zone on consecutive plays – and instead settled for a 41-yard field goal from Grady Gross. The Huskies were also forced to punt just before halftime when a fourth-down conversion to tight end Jack Westover was negated by an ineligible receiver penalty downfield by Quentin Moore.
On the other hand, Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes had never rushed for more than 235 yards in a college football game.
He completed 13 of 17 passes and threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns at halftime.
UW gets the ball early in the third quarter. We’ll see if Washington can take control.
– Mike Vorel
2:17 p.m
Halftime: Utah 28, Washington 24
The No. 5 Huskies trail No. 13 Utah 28-24 at halftime in this game as the UW defense struggled to stop Bryson Barnes and the Utes from making big plays in the first half.
The positive side for UW: The Huskies opened the second half with the ball.
2:15 p.m
A penalty thwarted the fourth-down conversion on UW’s final drive of the first half
The ride: 5 plays, 16 yards, 0:39.
The history: The Huskies were hit with an ineligible receiver downfield penalty on a fourth-down conversion that would have kept their drive alive before halftime. Kalen DeBoer was visibly confused about this as he tried to discuss it with the linesman.
Next possession: Utah on your own 10.
Time left: 0:09 in the first half.
2:03 p.m
Before halftime, Utah took the lead again
The points game: Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to take the lead back before halftime.
The ride: 7 plays, 91 yards, 2:15.
The history: This UW defense can’t stop the Utes on third-and-short plays – and therefore hurts them on every other play. Case in point: Bryson Barnes found Devaughn Vele on a deep post for a 68-yard gain that fueled this drive.
The score: Utah 28, Washington 24. 0:56 left in the first half.
Bryson Barnes’ previous career high for passing yards in a game was 235, in a 34-32 win over USC on Oct. 21.
He has 238 passing yards and two touchdowns in the first half today.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:56 p.m
Dillon Johnson’s rushing TD puts the Huskies back in the lead before halftime
The points game: Dillon Johnson scores from five yards out to put the Huskies back in the lead before halftime.
The ride: 7 plays, 56 yards, 2:33.
The score: Washington 24, Utah 21. 3:17 in 2Q.
These huskies: so funny, so flawed – never uninteresting.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:52 p.m
Huskies are bailed out for pass interference outside the red zone
That’s a rescue DPI if I ever saw one. No chance the ball was caught.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:50 p.m
Utah averages 159.4 passing yards per game.
Bryson Barnes is 10-13 for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first half today.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:48 p.m
Utah’s Sione Vaki catches the reception 53 yards to the house for a 21-17 lead
The points game: On the second play of Utah’s next drive, quarterback Bryson Barnes found Sione Vaki down the left sideline, and Vaki took it 53 yards to the house to give the Utes the lead back.
The ride: 2 plays, 64 yards, 0:51.
The score: Utah 21, Washington 17. 5:59 in 2Q.
UW’s defense forced punts on Utah’s first two drives early in that game. The Utes have since recorded three consecutive touchdowns. It was not nice.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:45 p.m
Enjoy Rome Odunze while you can
Enjoy Rome Odunze while you can, Husky fans.
After a pass interference call was denied in the end zone, UW’s junior wide receiver recovered with a 34-yard touchdown to give the Huskies a 17-14 lead. That catch (Odunze’s first of the game) also helped the Las Vegas product surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight year.
– Mike Vorel
1:42 p.m
Michael Penix Jr. hits Rome Odunze one-on-one in the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown
The points game: Michael Penix Jr. hits Rome Odunze one-on-one along the right side of the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown and the 17-14 lead.
The ride: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:01.
The history: Losing the lead wasn’t a problem for the Huskies. Michael Penix Jr. threw some of his best balls on this drive, including an absolutely perfect throw for the touchdown.
The score: Washington 17, Utah 14. 6:49 into 2Q.
This catch also gives Rome Odunze more than 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight year. Enjoy it while you can, Husky fans.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:31 p.m
Utes take a 14-10 lead over the Huskies with an effective TD drive
The points game: Bryson Barnes finds Miki Suguturaga for a 6-yard touchdown pass as the Utes take their first lead of the day.
The ride: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:19.
The history: The Utes run the ball effectively against the UW defense, and from there, several options open up for them. Elijah Jackson almost forced a big turnover and knocked the ball out of Sione Vaki’s hands… but the ball bounced right back to Vaki at the UW 29.
The score: Utah 14, Washington 10. 9:00 of 2nd quarter.
That’s a 12-play, 75-yard march that reached the end zone while keeping UW’s offense off the field for 6:19. A blueprint for how Utah plans to win this game.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
Tackling has been a focus for Washington throughout the offseason. Still, there was little lasting improvement. Many missed tackles on the Utes’ consecutive touchdown drives.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:23 p.m
Missed opportunities keep it close for UW
Washington leads 10-7.
But missed opportunities meant it was a close call.
A missed tackle by UW cornerback Elijah Jackson set up Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele for a 41-yard catch-and-run, leading to a touchdown that tied the game 7-7. The Huskies marched right back on their ensuing drive, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw end zone shots to tight end Devin Culp and wide receiver Rome Odunze, forcing UW to settle for a 41-yard field goal.
Can UW make tackles throughout the game? And can Penix, who only hit five of 12 passes in constant wind, be more efficient offensively? We will see.
– Mike Vorel
1:19 p.m
End of the first: Washington 10, Utah 7
The Huskies lead Utah 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The Utes face a second-and-6 at their own 29 to open the second.
1:17 p.m
Grady Gross hits a 41-yard field goal as UW regains the lead 10-7
The points game: Grady Gross makes a 41-yard line drive kick to put the Huskies back in the lead.
The ride: 11 plays, 51 yards, 3:18.
The history: Michael Penix Jr. seemed to be fighting the wind much harder on this drive, but the Huskies got it within field goal range and retook the lead with an 11-play drive.
The score: Washington 10, Utah 7. 0:19 in the 1st quarter.
Penix overthrew both Devin Culp and Rome Odunze in the end zone. Grady Gross converted a 41-yard field goal to give UW a 10-7 lead, but there were missed opportunities.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:13 p.m
WR Jalen McMillan is in the game for the first time
Jalen McMillan is in the game for the first time.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:06 p.m
Utah responds quickly, making it 7-1
The points game: Ja’Quinden Jackson scores the decisive goal from two meters away.
The ride: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:29.
The history: Well, that was quick. Utah answers UW’s touchdown thanks to a broken tackle and a 41-yard catch-and-run by Devaughn Vele to get near the red zone. Here come the offenses.
The score: Washington 7, Utah 7. 3:37 in 1st quarter.
Utah immediately responds with a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Elijah Jackson missed a tackle that sent Devaughn Vele on a 41-yard catch-and-run down the sideline.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
1:02 p.m
Can Utah answer after UW’s solid touchdown drive?
The wind could play a role at Husky Stadium today.
It wasn’t on Washington’s touchdown drive.
UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. went 3-for-3 for 31 yards on a seven-play, 77-yard march before capping it off with a two-yard touchdown run. It was Penix’s second touchdown of the season… and second in his last two games. The Huskies have also managed 36 yards and 7.2 yards per carry so far.
We’ll see if Utah can respond.
– Mike Vorel
12:59 p.m
Michael Penix Jr. rushes in and scores a 2-yard TD, 7-0 UW lead
The points game: Michael Penix Jr. followed Dillon Johnson’s block to the left for a 2-yard touchdown.
The ride: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:54.
The history: The best drive of the game for both teams results in the first touchdown.
The score: Washington 7, Utah 0. 6:06 left in the 1st quarter.
This is Michael Penix Jr.’s second rushing TD of the season (and his second in the last two games). The Huskies lead 7-0.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
–Chris Cole
12:56 p.m
Hard work from Dillon Johnson to move the chains there. That was also an NFL throw where Penix reversed it.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
12:51 p.m
To begin with, the wind certainly seems to be a factor
Early in the game the wind certainly seems to be a factor. We’ll see if Penix and Co. can get through this.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
12:51 p.m
The UW defense forces another Utah punt
The ride: 5 plays, 19 yards, 3:07.
The history: Utah scored a first down on its second possession, but that was the result of a pass interference penalty on an underthrown ball (maybe, probably influenced by the wind?). The UW defense forced another punt shortly after.
Next possession: UW starts at its own 23rd.
Time left: 10:00 in the 1st quarter.
There’s your first Bralen-Trice sighting of the day.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
It looks like we’ll be getting a steady dose of freshman forward Jacob Lane in third down passing situations today.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
12:44 p.m
The Huskies follow Utah’s three-pointer with one of their own
The ride: 3 plays, 0 yards, 0:58.
The history: Utah tracked down a Dillon Johnson run for no gain on UW’s first offensive play before Michael Penix Jr. threw two incomplete passes as the Huskies matched the Utes and went three-and-out on their first possession.
Next possession: Utah starts at its own 20.
Time left: 13:07 in the 1st quarter.
Penix shoots past a wide-open Germie Bernard and UW goes out of bounds with a three-pointer. Hard to say if wind was a factor.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
12:41 p.m
Odunze, Polk and Bernard start at WR for Huskies
McMillan stands on the sideline with his helmet on.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
12:41 p.m
The UW defense forces a three-pointer on Utah’s first possession
The ride: 3 plays, 4 yards, 0:53.
The history: Pretty ideal start for UW’s defense after deciding to delay the coin toss.
Next possession: UW starts at their own 40 after a shank punt.
Time left: 14:07 in the 1st quarter.
12:35 p.m
UW wins the coin toss, leaving Utah to run the offense
Washington wins the toss and postpones the throw. The Huskies will go defense first.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
12:09 p.m
WRs Jalen McMillan and Giles Jackson are dressed for warmups
UW wide receivers Jalen McMillan and Giles Jackson both do warmups in uniform.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
11:24 am
WR Jalen McMillan catches passes in early warmups
UW WR Jalen McMillan saves passes in early warmups. It looks like this second opinion was encouraging.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) November 11, 2023
11:18 a.m
What to watch for when No. 5 Washington meets No. 13 Utah
Win at the front
Utah is a program with a well-deserved reputation for relentless physicality. Can the Huskies handle it? A week after posting 316 yards rushing and 7.5 yards per carry against the crumbling remnants of USC, Washington faces a Utah defense that is currently ranked sixth nationally in rushing (81.22 yards allowed per game) and Ranks 14th in opposing yards per carry (3.05). On the other hand, UW’s Los Angeles run defense disintegrated, surrendering 203 rushing yards on 7.5 yards per carry and three touchdowns to a Trojans team that was missing its starting running back. Meanwhile, four Utes – Ja’Quinden Jackson, Jaylon Glover, Sione Vaki and Nate Johnson – all have at least 232 rushing yards. To remain undefeated, the Huskies must first win a four-quarter fist fight.
READ MORE >>>
– Mike Vorel
11:17 am
‘They are the champions’: UW prepares for physical test against Utah
Dillon Johnson needed confirmation to get the deal done.
He got it from Ryan Grubb.
On January 3, Johnson, a junior running back from Mississippi State, announced a transfer to Washington. But before his arrival was official, Grubb was offered the offensive coordinator position at Alabama. The ground began to move.
On Jan. 31, a day after flying to Tuscaloosa for an interview with the Crimson Tide, the rising offensive coordinator decided to stay at UW.
Which meant he had to re-recruit his running back.
“There were a few different trips to Mississippi,” Grubb admitted Monday, two days after UW’s ground game overwhelmed USC. “To be honest, personally I was a little undecided about what was going on with me. I think it hurt a bit at the time. Once we got that all sorted out, it was really good. Me and [running backs coach Lee] Marks went back to Greenville [Johnson’s hometown] and saw him and his family again and everything was fine after that.”
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– Mike Vorel
11:15 a.m
Once plagued by setbacks and doubts, UW’s Devin Culp continues to seize opportunities
Devin Culp can pinpoint the moment he conquered doubt.
On September 18, 2021, Culp – a 6-foot-4, 237-pound tight end – dropped a would-be 39-yard touchdown in Washington’s 52-3 win over Arkansas State. Up to that point, the Spokane product had totaled three catches for 27 yards (and zero touchdowns) in more than three seasons and 17 career games, reduced to an understudy role.
The following Friday — a day before UW’s Pac-12 opener against Cal — tight ends coach Derham Cato told Culp that he had been suspended from all of the Huskies’ passing plays as a punitive measure.
Then his prognosis changed.
“I just remember being very depressed and thinking, ‘Maybe this isn’t for me.’ Maybe I’m not meant to play at this level. Maybe I’m just destined to graduate and shape my future,” Culp remembers. “But then I got a call [from Cato] that afternoon like, “Hey, I want you to come back and meet with me.” Cade [Otton’s] will be outside. You start tomorrow.’
“That’s on Friday, before we head to the hotel. I’m like, ‘What do you mean I’m the starting tight end for the University of Washington?'”
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– Mike Vorel
Seattle Times Sports Staff