Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has had ups and downs in his college football career.
Penix suffered two serious injuries while playing quarterback against Indiana. He transferred to Washington before the 2022 season and quickly became one of the most dynamic players in the sport.
He started the 2023 season as the reigning AP Comeback Player of the Year and turned it into one of the best seasons in Washington history.
Penix has 4,648 passing yards and 35 touchdowns during the 2023 season, and Washington is on the verge of its first undefeated season and national championship since 1991, when Billy Joe Hobart was behind center.
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Michael Penix Jr. of the Washington Huskies celebrates after a 37-31 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the CFP semifinal Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on January 1, 2024. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Penix told Fox News Digital it was “awesome” to cap off his college career with a national title.
“That's definitely the goal and it's taken a lot of effort to get to where we are now,” he said. “But obviously we still have a lot of work to do. I'm very excited about the opportunity and ready to make the most of it.”
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Penix, who partnered with Amazon to bring Christmas cheer to the Seattle area before heading to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns in Washington's 37-31 win on Monday.
He said the team celebrated a little bit, but the Huskies have their eyes on Michigan.
Michael Penix Jr. of the Washington Huskies before the Pac-12 Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on December 1, 2023. (Brandon Sloter/Images of Sports/Getty Images)
Penix added that he hasn't had much time to watch film and prepare yet, but he knows the challenges the Wolverines will face.
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“They're doing a great job (defensively). We have to be ready for everything. We have to be ready for them to change their perspective and try to take me out of the game,” he said. said.
“But I'm going to stay calm, stay calm, stick to the game plan and prepare at a high level to make sure this game goes the way we want it to go.”
Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass during a game against the Texas Longhorns at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on January 1, 2024. (John Corduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Washington and Michigan will meet in the National Championship Game on Monday at NRG Stadium in Houston. Kickoff is at 7:30pm ET.
