Kalen DeBoer reveals how Washington is different from last year's matchup vs. Texas

The Sugar Bowl between Washington and Texas is a familiar one for both sides, having played in the Alamo Bowl just last season. That’s something that Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer has on his mind going into the College Football Playoff.

Still, DeBoer also knows just how different Washington is now than it was last season.

“Probably just another year of being in both the offensive and defensive systems, special teams as well,” Kalen DeBoer said. “I think we’ve continued to improve it with our special teams play. I think our defense, I think, the latter part of last season started picking up some steam and has just continued with that consistency here this season.”

Under Kalen DeBoer, Washington has been known for its offense. Even that, however, is a unit that DeBoer has seen rapidly improve and become more balanced.

“I think offensively, we’ve become not just a pass first and only pass. I think, again, at the end of last season, we got that balance toward the end of the year. And this year as we had a couple new pieces added to the offensive line, and even at running back, I think here the second half of this season we’re a different team that way as well with the feeling that we can play a physical style of football and run and pass equally effective. So, I think those are the areas.”

Another notable change in this matchup is the venue. The reality is that the College Football Playoff at the Sugar Bowl is different than the Alamo Bowl. So, the bar has been raised in terms of setting but also in the quality of the Washington program.

“I think just everything is just raised. We’ve just raised the bar in all areas,” DeBoer said. “A lot of it has to do with the continuity of our coaching staff, and the continuity of the players that are out there making plays on game day.”

Last season, Washington beat Texas 27-20. This season, the Huskies enter the Sugar Bowl against the Longhorns as a four-point underdog.

Kalen DeBoer explains how fun it is to coach Michael Penix Jr.

Recently, Kalen DeBoer told former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski on Basketball and Beyond about how fun it is to coach quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

“You would love this guy. You would love coaching him. I mean, I know he was a hooper back in the day too and you would just love him in every way you would want to have him to coach him on your team. The personality that carried you know, just I don’t know if you saw the Heisman, he had every one of our players and coaches’ names stitched [in his jacket]. You know, he’s just done these things throughout the year that are special and unique,” DeBoer said.

“He’s team first oriented, you know, surprises he’s had for the program and the guys and so he’s obviously got a lot of pressure as a quarterback with this campaign of the Heisman that he isn’t necessarily pushing, but everyone else is. He’s got these enormous long big hands and so we played in a rain game and you know, he’s flipping it around no problem, but it’s a skill set that is special.”