Washington's magical season continued after a thrilling 37-31 victory over Texas on Monday night in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
The No. 2 Huskies (14-0), who extended their winning streak to 21 games, will face No. 1 and Big Ten champion Michigan in the national championship game on Monday at 4:30 p.m. PT at NRG Stadium ( 14:0). Houston on ESPN.
In the other CFP semifinal, the Wolverines defeated No. 4 Alabama 27-20 in overtime.
Washington's victory was decided on the final play of the game when Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers misfired on a throw into the end zone that would have given the Longhorns the win. UW has an 8-0 record in one-score games this season.
Here are three thoughts about Monday's game.
Penix Jr. was masterful
Many people, especially Husky fans, believe UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was robbed in the Heisman Trophy voting.
He finished second with 1,701 points and 292 first-place votes behind LSU quarterback Jayden McDaniels, who won the award with 2,029 points and 503 first-place votes.
In his first game since winning the Heisman Award, Penix delivered one of the best performances of his brilliant career.
He finished with the second-most yards in a CFP semifinal, completing 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns.
As usual, Penix often found his favorite targets, Rome Odunze (six catches, 125 yards) and Ja'Lynn Polk (five catches, 122 yards) to make big plays.
“We still have one more to go,” Penix said at the postgame awards ceremony as he accepted the Offensive MVP trophy. “Husky Nation stands up. We’re going to Natty.”
And Trice wasn't too shabby
Penix was wonderful and Washington star Bralen Trice was equally brilliant.
Trice had arguably his best game of the season, finishing the game with five tackles, including four solos, two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
“Huge statement,” Trice said after receiving defensive MVP honors. “We are always treated disrespectfully. We’re always the underdogs and look where that’s gotten us.”
Cardiac Huskies do it again
The game and the season came down to one play.
Due to mismanagement and misfortune late in the game, Washington gave the ball back to Texas with 45 seconds left after recovering an onside kick with 1:07 left.
Trailing by six, the Longhorns started at their 31 and needed a touchdown.
Ewers hit Jordan Whittington for 41 yards on third-and-10 to put the Longhorns at UW's 28 yards. Two plays later, Ewers connected with Jaydon Blue for a 16-yard pass to the UW 12 with 15 seconds left.
There was just enough time for Ewers to make four throws, three of them into the end zone.
On the final play, Ewers threw to receiver Adonai Mitchell, who made a similar 1-yard TD reception to cornerback Elijah Jackson with 7:23 to play.
This time, Jackson knocked the ball out of Mitchell's hands as time expired and the Huskies ran onto the field to celebrate.