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Kalen DeBoer explains his no-hesitation mentality on big downs

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra12/05/23

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Washington HC Kalen DeBoer
Jonathan Hui | USA TODAY Sports

Kalen DeBoer hasn’t hesitated to go for it on big downs, no matter the situation for the Washington Huskies.

From Week 13’s Apple Cup to the Pac-12 title game, that mentality has helped propel the Huskies into the College Football Playoff after victories in both games. Some believe it’s a hard decision for DeBoer, where he bases it off analytics, but the Washington leader explained it’s much more simple than that.

It really comes down to quarterback Michael Penix Jr., and DeBoer’s belief in his star player when it’s all said and done.

“It isn’t even playing the percentages. You want your best players to win football games for you. It’s exactly that,” DeBoer said. “I think you said it all. When you got 9 (Michael Penix Jr.) right here, give him the chance to touch the football, make plays. He’s been through it all. He’s got all these experiences to draw upon. He knows when to take the risk, when not to, how to put the team on his back and just keep moving.

“He’s the guy we’re going to let pull the trigger when we feel like we got a call, put all our trust and belief in him. Other great players around him, of course, that are going to come through him, of course. Rome, even J.P., J Mac had big games tonight. Just want to give these guys a chance to go win a football game, not play scared, not play just to try to be close, but play to win.”

Alas, Washington and Kalen DeBoer will continue to live and die by Michael Penix Jr. as they enter the College Football Playoff. It’s worked out wonderfully for the Huskies thus far.

Kalen DeBoer addresses if he thought Washington should be ranked No. 1

There were some people before the final College Football Playoff rankings that thought Washington should be ranked first, ahead of Michigan. In the end, the Huskies were second and that’s alright with head coach Kalen DeBoer.

As he explained to reporters, DeBoer didn’t put a ton of thought into being ranked ahead of the Wolverines.

“No,” Kalen DeBoer said. “I guess I didn’t really feel like that was probably gonna be the case. I think it was probably more of just a reality than anything that I was understanding.”

As long as a team is in the top four spots, it doesn’t really matter. They’re in and will have a chance to win a championship. However, where they’re seeded does potentially impact things like what team they’re going to be playing against in the first round.

For Kalen DeBoer, he sees an argument for Washington to be ranked first, but he’s not passionate about the difference. 

“I think there’s an argument for it, but not one that I need to stand on the table for because I understand that, unless you play each other, head-to-head, there’s people who are going to fight for each program. It is what it is. So, they’ve had a great season there at Michigan and won their conference championship again and really rolled through their schedule for the most part.”

Notably, however, Washington did miss out on the Rose Bowl by being second. Instead, that game went to Michigan while the Huskies head to the Sugar Bowl. That’s a long trip, especially compared to the Texas Longhorns.

On3’s Dan Morrison contributed to this article.