Well, if Husky fans didn’t have a reason to stay in their room and blast sad Drake songs, now they do, thanks to the previously undefeated Washington football team acquiring their first loss of the season in the National Championship game.
For many Washington fans, this season was a dream season where it seemed like nothing could go wrong. The Huskies tallied win after win throughout the regular season, came in first in the Pac-12, and were the second-highest nationally ranked team in all of college football.
They won their first 14 games of the season, culminating in their National Championship appearance where they were to battle number-one-seeded Michigan for the coveted top-prize in college football. However, their historic run would fall one game short of the title, as they fell 34-13 Monday night to the now National Champion Wolverines.
The College Football Playoffs are some of the most memorable times for students and fans alike. It all began in 2014 after the College Football Committee approved a four team, single-game elimination format – with the top four teams chosen by the selection committee. This year, 10 years later, on Jan. 8, 2024, the undefeated Washington Huskies would take on the undefeated Michigan Wolverines in what was set to be a very high-scoring, back-and-forth game.
The Huskies would begin the game on a slow start having to settle for a field goal on their first drive, while one of Michigan’s star running backs Donovan Edwards would rush on back-to-back drives for two straight 40+ yard touchdowns swinging all the momentum to the number one seeded Wolverines putting them up 14-3.
Throughout the first half Michigan’s defense would dominate, forcing three consecutive changes of possession. Washington would remain touchdownless until their final drive of the first half with a four minute drive finishing with a beautiful touchdown pass in the back off the endzone to junior receiver Jalen McMillan.
The second half for the Huskies looked like a complete disappointment. Husky quaterback Michael Penix Jr. would drop back and throw an interception on the very first play of the drive, setting Michigan up to go up 20-10.
Washington would match with a field goal of their own the next drive, making it a one-score game again. Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Wolverines would make a surprising decision to shy away from the run game the second half forcing them to punt on three consecutive drives. However, Michigan’s defense was too much to handle for the offensive line of the Huskies getting to Penix Jr. with ease forcing incompletions and multiple loss of yards on downs.
The Huskies would play arguably the worst second half they have played all season, without scoring after the 8:58 mark in the third quarter. The Wolverines would seal the deal securing the victory after defensive back Mike Sainristil intercepted Penix Jr. for an 81-yard return, setting up a 2-play touchdown drive and putting them up 34-13.
This would cap off a perfect 15-0 season and Michigan’s first National Title since 1997 where they defeated Washington State.
During the post-game interview, Coach DeBoer would say, “They restored U-Dub football. They gave us expectations of what this program stands to have each and every year.”
The teams now wait 10 months before they meet again on Oct. 5 at Husky Stadium as Big Ten brothers. Penix Jr., however, will be in the NFL, but so should Michigan’s star running back Blake Corum.