Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) scrambles with the ball against Texas defensive end Justice Finkley (1) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
NEW ORLEANS — Michael Penix Jr. passed for 430 yards and two touchdowns, and Washington held off Texas 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl on Monday night to advance to the College Football Playoff championship game, earning both the sixth-year quarterback with two surgically repaired knees and the beleaguered Pac-12 one more game this season.
The second-ranked Huskies (14-0) will face No. 1 Michigan next Monday night in Houston, looking for their first national championship since 1991 and the Pac-12's first since Southern California in 2004. Washington is one of 10 schools fleeing the Pac-12 for other Power Five conferences next year, with the Huskies headed to join Michigan in the Big Ten.
But first, the final season of the four-team playoff before expansion to 12 in 2024 comes down to a Pac-12-Big Ten matchup, just like the first when Ohio State beat Oregon.
No. 3 Texas (12-2) had four shots at the end zone after getting to the UW 12 with 15 seconds left, but Quinn Ewers missed on the last three. The final throw was a fade to a well-covered Adonai Mitchell that sailed long.
In Texas' first CFP appearance and final football game as a member of the Big 12 before it goes to the Southeastern Conference, Ewers passed for 318 yards and a touchdown. But it wasn't enough against Penix and his array of talented receivers.
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) runs against Texas defensive back Kitan Crawford (21) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad (1) celebrates a recovered fumble against Texas during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad (1) celebrates a recovered fumble against Texas during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) runs in the end zone for a touchdown against Texas during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) makes a touchdown catch against Texas during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Texas quarterback running back CJ Baxter (4) celebrates a play in the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game against Washington, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
(Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan (11) makes a touchdown catch against Texas during the second half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs near Washington safety Asa Turner (20) during the first half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) runs against Washington during the first half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Texas quarterback running back CJ Baxter carries the ball through the Washington Huskies defense in the second quarter of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
(Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman via AP)
Texas running back CJ Baxter (4) scores a touchdown against Washington during the first half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) makes the catch for a touchdown against Texas during the first half of the Sugar Bowl CFP NCAA semifinal college football game, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)