Kalen DeBoer describes his postgame interaction with Michael Penix Jr. after loss

The fantastic run for QB Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies came to an end on Monday with their loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff. Even so, Kalen DeBoer’s thoughts were only with his quarterback following the defeat.

DeBoer spoke about his conversation with Penix Jr. following the 34-13 loss to the Wolverines in Houston last night. First, after Penix Jr. took several hits inside NRG Stadium, DeBoer wanted to make sure that he was all right.

“I just made sure, just asked him if he’s all right,” said DeBoer. “I mean he was obviously hit quite a few times. Making sure he was okay.”

Then, after that, DeBoer said his message was one of gratitude. Over Penix Jr.’s two seasons in Seattle, he made an impact that their program and fanbase will remember forever. With that in mind, DeBoer thought back to his commitment to Washington and how much it meant to him that Penix Jr. would trust in him.

“Just wanted to make sure he knew how I felt about him,” said DeBoer. “This guy came here and the trust he put in me to put people around him? Whether it be offensive staff, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, other players? He picked up and moved all the way across the country. And I just can’t tell you how much that means to me to have that trust from someone like Michael because this was his last crack at it.

“Two years ago when he made that move? It was a time where we all know his story. It was kind of at that point where it was kind of do or die,” DeBoer added. “I knew in my mind what he was made of. I knew what he was capable of. Now it’s just a matter of bringing it all together.”

In Penix Jr.’s finale, he completed just 52.9% of his passes on 51 attempts overall against the Wolverines. Those led to 255 yards, one touchdown, and a pair of interceptions. It was the second time in his stint with the Huskies where he threw more than one interception and the third time he had more picks than passing scores.

While it wasn’t the triumphant end they hoped for, DeBoer knows the loss didn’t diminish any of Penix Jr.’s success. He hopes their fanbase feels the same way too as they’ll surely miss him as a player and person with him off to the NFL.

“I can’t tell you how much it means that he had that trust in me,” said DeBoer. “Seeing him grow and develop? And just the mindset he has, the fighter’s mentality he has, the leadership? A lot of credit goes to our staff and working with him, Coach Grubb working with him.

“But, man, just seeing growth, seeing the fight, seeing the passion? The love that he has for everyone here in this program? I hope Husky Nation just always holds him in the highest regard. I expect nothing less than that because I think they understand also what he has given all of us.”