Kalen DeBoer shares excitement to face notable Texas program

The Alamo Bowl features two name-brand programs in Washington and Texas. That notoriety is going to make it a marquee game for many fans. However, it’s also exciting for Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer.

While speaking to the media, Kalen DeBoer explained why he’s excited to play Texas.

“Sure, I think that’s one of the things we talked about early on. We’ve spoke of that throughout the season when we’ve had those earlier starts on national TV, and this is one of those,” Kalen DeBoer said.

“Certainly a great opportunity for our guys. They’re proud and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished this year, and really looking forward to putting our product out there for the country to see. We’re looking forward to that opportunity.”

Texas and Washington have played four times in their respective histories. In those games, the Longhorns are 3-1. Their most recent meeting was in the 2001 Holiday Bowl, which Texas won in a shootout. Their other three games came in the 1970s. There, the two played a home-and-home series, which Texas swept, while Washington won the 1979 Sun Bowl.

Kalen DeBoer is in his first season as the Washington head coach. He’s 10-2 this season, with previous experience at Fresno State and Sioux Falls out of the NAIA.

Kalen DeBoer says his players are fired up

Notably, it isn’t just Kalen DeBoer himself who is excited to play Texas. According to him, the Washington players are also excited for the opportunity.

“We haven’t had a chance to talk specifically about that. I do know when I came into the facility, the team was stretching. I made the announcement of where we were playing, who we were playing. Ja’Lynn Polk, his eyes perked up, the grin was from ear to ear. He was excited, just as a few of our other guys are as well coming back to their home here in Texas, getting a chance to play a game,” Kalen DeBoer said.

“My eyes went immediately to Ja’Lynn Polk in particular because I knew he’d be pretty fired up.”