Kalen DeBoer explains if Washington carries any confidence over from 2022 Alamo Bowl

By now, many people are aware of the connections between No. 2 Washington and No. 3 Texas. That’s specifically because the two matched up just last postseason. Still, according to Kalen DeBoer, those sorts of things only matter so much ahead of their rematch in the Sugar Bowl.

During a press conference this week, DeBoer did say that last year’s 27-20 win over the Longhorns in the Alamo Bowl does give his Huskies some level of confidence for this season’s game in New Orleans.

“Yeah, I think so,” admitted DeBoer.

However, it will only make so much of a difference this time around. As he continued, he pointed out the ways in which both teams have changed since December 29th, 2022. That’s why, come January 1st, 2024, it’s going to be a whole new ball game.

“I think, in the end? I’ve been saying it each week. Comparing scores from one team to the next? We can go into Oregon’s comparing of scores and all those games that we’ve played here in the latter part of the season – they really don’t mean anything,” said DeBoer. “They’re a different team, they’ve had more experiences. We’re a different team, we’ve had more experiences. Both teams have added to the talent that we have on our rosters.”

“I think it gives us familiarity with, maybe, what they do. How they see us, what to expect a little bit,” DeBoer said.

Inside the Alamodome in San Antonio, Washington led for the duration of the game. By the time the fourth quarter came around, they led by as much as 17. They did so behind 287 passing yards and two touchdowns from QB Michael Penix Jr. and 108 yards and another score from RB Wayne Taulapapa.

With their defense holding down the Longhorns’ short-handed run game and forcing Texas to converting on only six of their fifteen third down attempts as well, it was enough to secure their seventh win to end the season.

That streak for Washington has continued into this season and reached 20 consecutive wins. In order to get their 21st in their appearance in the College Football Playoff, though, DeBoer doesn’t want the Huskies to rely too much on last year’s win rather than paying attention to their new circumstances from this season.

“It’s a whole year later. There’s just different things on the line right now as far as what we’re playing for,” said DeBoer.