Sugar Bowl Recap - Washington vs Texas
What a fantastic game of football!
No matter "Who's in", the playoffs are sure to excite in one fashion or other. Sometimes it's late drama. Sometimes it's an offensive shootout. Sometimes, it's a crazy game of errors that ends in overtime like the Rose Bowl this year. Other times, it's a masterpiece of a game crafted by dueling future first round quarterbacks and receivers like the 2024 Sugar Bowl. The undefeated Pac-12 Champions (the last to ever go by that title) #2 Washington Huskies took on the #3 Texas Longhorns in New Orleans for a shot at the National Championship against the #1 Michigan Wolverines.
1st Quarter:
After a sloppy Rose Bowl game, the long awaited showdown between Michael Penix Jr. and Quinn Ewers was underway. A great return to start the game for Texas was exactly what the game needed to get going. Unfortunately for the boys from Austin, Ewers had a slow start, missing four passes leaving the Longhorns with no choice but to punt. It took Penix much less time to get into his rhythm. In the Huskies first possession, Penix found Polk for a 77 yard gain deep into the red zone. One snap later, Washington had found the end zone to take the early lead. Not to be too outdone, Ewers' second drive was an immediate response, resulting in an equalizing touchdown for the Longhorns. After a Washington three and out and a penalty-riddled Longhorn drive that resulted in a punt, Washington once again began to drive with Penix at the wheel.
2nd Quarter:
The second quarter began mid-Washington drive deep inside Longhorn territory once again. Three straight runs later, the Huskies had reclaimed the lead with a touchdown. Quinn Ewers seemed unable to response as quickly as the first time, but a muffed punt by Washington's Germie Bernard helped Texas retain possession, drive the rest of the way down the field, and equalize once again. Finally, after a crucial 4th down stop in the red zone, Texas had the chance to drive for the lead. The possession was stopped short after only a short gain. Washington came back with even more intention than before and Penix led a stunning drive to the end zone, complete with a 29 yard dart to Ja'Lynn Polk with the help of a wild deflection, to retake the lead once again. As they had all game, Texas responded phenomenally with a Ewers-led drive of their own to tie the game back up at 21-21 late in the second half.
A tie game at the half could only add to the suspense. With the incredible level of skill and showmanship Penix and Ewers had put on the first half, a game like this felt like the real National Championship where the winner takes the advantage into next week. Who would be able to come out on top in this all-time classic?
3rd Quarter:
Washington received the ball to start the second half and wasted no time at all. A beautiful drive was capped off with an incredible pass through the eye of the needle from Penix to McMillan to take the lead for the fourth time on the night. When would somebody be able to make a stop? It was right here where Texas fumbled. It was the first major mistake of the game for Texas, but it would prove to be extremely punishing. While not able to double their lead, Washington were able to kick a field goal to command the first two score lead. Another empty Texas possession later, hope was starting to fade. Washington drove down the field for another field goal to make their lead 13 with a quarter of football to play.
4th Quarter:
Desperate for points, the Longhorns started their fourth quarter with a nightmare situation. Another fumble felt like a dagger to the hearts of Longhorn fans. Even after getting the stop and forcing a punt, time was no longer on their side. Ewers, backed up an army of orange faithful, led an outstanding drive and finished it with a beautiful lobbed ball to Adonai Mitchell that felt like the game was in slow motion for a second. The lead was now 6 and Texas had a chance to win it if they could manage to stop the Huskies. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, Michael Penix plays for Washington and he orchestrated another scoring drive, settling for another field goal to lead 37-28 with less than three minutes of football to play. Driving down the field, Texas found themselves on 4th down deep in Washington territory. Coach Sarkisian made the smart decision to kick the field goal and once again make it a 6 point game with the chance for an onside kick. Despite recovering the onside kick, Washington still needed a first down to put the game on ice. Three short runs and an injury that stopped the clock later and Washington had found themselves punting with plenty of time left on the clock for a Ewers miracle. After two massive completions, Ewers and the Longhorns found themselves within striking distance with a whole 30 seconds left on the clock! Inching closer as time was running out, the inevitable shots to the end zone began. The target was Adonai Mitchell, who had been a member of the two-time National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. His defender, having been beat almost all night was the prey, but on 4th and 11 with 1 second on the clock, Elijah Jackson made the stop of his life. Time had run out on a remarkable Longhorn season and on a phenomenal football game as the Washington Huskies hold on by the skin of their teeth to win the Sugar Bowl and send themselves to the National Championship game against the mighty Michigan Wolverines next Monday.
Final Score: Washington 37, Texas 31
Summary:
Not only one of the best bowl games of the year, but one of the greatest playoff games of all time. Michael Penix Jr., Maxwell Award winner and Heisman finalist had the game of his life. He was a joy to watch and blew the minds of everyone in attendance. Quinn Ewers, possibly the best player over the last two years if only he could have stayed healthy, put on a noteworthy show, as well, almost completing a most improbable comeback on the biggest stage. This game was an instant classic that will live long in my memory and the memories of the Washington Husky faithful. Congratulations to Washington and good luck next week against the always-formidable Wolverines from Ann Arbor.