Michael Penix Jr. emotionally leaves field with apparent limp after title game

Michael Penix Jr. entered Monday’s College Football Playoff national championship red-hot. The Heisman Trophy finalist put together a huge game against Texas to put Washington in the title game against Michigan.

A staunch Wolverines defense kept Penix at bay, though, as he completed 27 of 51 passes for 255 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions as the Huskies fell 34-13. He took some big hits during the game, though, and was grabbing at his rib area late.

As he left the field for the final time, the emotions flew — and Penix had a limp as he went to the locker room with a towel over his head.

Michael Penix Jr. walking off the fied #PenixJr pic.twitter.com/lMo4iuaSIo

— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) January 9, 2024

For Michael Penix Jr., it was a tough end to a special season in Seattle. He ends the year with 4,903 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, one year after a breakout season as he reunited with Kalen DeBoer. Now, he’s likely off to the NFL — although his college career certainly didn’t end the way he wanted.

Michigan set the tone with a picture-perfect opening drive, taking eight plays to go 84 yard — capped by a 41-yard touchdown from Donovan Edwards to put his team ahead 7-0. That gave the ball to Washington, which settled for a field goal to make it a 7-3 ballgame.

Then, it was Edwards again as went 48 yards on the next possession to the end zone, extending Michigan’s lead to 14-3. After Washington punted, Blake Corum’s 59-yard rush helped set up a 31-yard field goal from James Turner to go up 17-3 with 13:28 to play in the second quarter.

The Huskies looked like they had an opportunity to get back in the game with one swing, though, when Rome Odunze broke through the coverage on 4th and 7 in the second quarter. However, Penix overthrew him, resulting in a turnover on downs.

But the Wolverines came up empty, and after a turnover on downs of their own, Washington marched down the field to score its first touchdown of the game as Penix found Jalen McMillan. Just like that, it was a 17-10 ballgame heading into halftime.

The second half was pretty quiet, outside of a few field goals, before Corum finally found the end zone to make it 27-13 with 7:09 to play. That gave Michigan plenty of momentum, and the Wolverines had to hold strong on a 4th and 13 on the drive after the score. It turned into a long interception from converted wide receiver Mike Sainristil, all but sealing the game.