Huskies ready to make Pac-12 noise
SEATTLE — Kalen DeBoer knew no matter how well the transition had gone, this was the week that would validate — one way or another — what Washington had showed so far.
Behind a spectacular performance by Michael Penix Jr., the Huskies emphatically stated their case as a contender in the Pac-12 Conference and maybe worth some national recognition.
Penix threw for 397 yards and four touchdown, and Washington (3-0) toppled No. 11 Michigan State 39-28 on Saturday night.
“We just beat a really good football team in my mind,” Huskies coach DeBoer said. “To get this win now is just going to continue to put the belief in our guys.”
Penix was terrific for three quarters in a prime-time national showcase that showed DeBoer’s rebuild is progressing faster than expected. Washington led 29-8 at halftime and 36-14 after three quarters.
Having a star quarterback certainly helps.
“Every game that we’ve seen [Penix], he comes out with the same energy, comes out with the same leadership, mentality. It’s just it’s easy to follow someone like that,” Washington running back Wayne Tualapapa said.
Penix completed 24 of 40 passes and just missed posting the eighth 400-yard passing game in Washington history. He was at his best in the first half, connecting on 18 of 24 attempts for 278 yards and leading Washington to touchdowns on four of its five possessions.
He wasn’t sacked by a Michigan State pass rush that led the country in sacks after two weeks.
“I felt real comfortable out there knowing that I got five guys up there that’s gonna protect me each and every play,” Penix said.
Ja’Lynn Polk had six catches for a career-high 153 yards and three TDs. Polk’s 53-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter was a resounding answer after Michigan State scored on the opening drive of the second half to pull to within 29-14.
Polk had a career-high 100 yards receiving by the half and the Huskies rolled up 322 yards to just 90 for the Spartans in the first 30 minutes.
It was Washington’s first win over a ranked Power Five nonconference opponent at home since beating Michigan to open the 2001 season. And the night ended with a sea of purple fans celebrating on the turf of Husky Stadium.
at Appalachian State 32, Troy 28:
Chase Brice fired a 53yard scoring pass to Christian Horn on the final play of the game to lift the Mountaineers in a Sun Belt Conference opener.
Brice drove Appalachian State down the field before throwing incomplete on fourthand-goal from the two-yard line with 1:13 left.
Appalachian State tackled Gunnar Watson on first down for a safety to get to within 28-26 and took over at its own 47-yard line with 15 seconds left following the kickoff.
Brice’s winning throw came on fourth and 10 and Horn caught it at the seven-yard line after a deflection before running it in.