Texas' defense was in retreat mode the entire game, thanks to Michael Penix Jr. | Bohls
NEW ORLEANS — Texas couldn’t get a stop.
As a result, the second-ranked Washington Huskies put a halt to Texas’ seven-game win streak and national championship hopes with a 37-31 victory in the College Football Playoff semifinals Monday night.
The defense just had no answer for Michael Penix Jr. and his tremendous cast of wide receivers although Texas was throwing into the end zone in a last-gasp desperation attempt to win. Penix threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns without an interception and was downright surgical with his precision passes and clutch catches from All-American Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk.
The unbeaten Huskies scored on seven of their 10 possessions and were devastatingly effective, punting on two of their last three series as they were mostly trying to milk the clock. Washington went three-and-out just three times, but again two came in their final three series.
The Texas pass defense, ranked 94th in the nation and the team’s liability all season, had fits trying to cover Washington’s receivers. And as stout as the Longhorns’ run defense was, that unit could not get to Penix, not recording a sack and giving him all the time to throw he needed.
While the Texas offense had trouble finding much rhythm, Penix had no such issues. He victimized cornerbacks Ryan Watts and Terrance Brooks time and again and the best offensive line in college football kept Penix upright the entire game. In the end, it was too much for the No. 3 Longhorns to overcome.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Washington's Penix riddles Texas football secondary in dominant fashion
