Michael Penix Jr. shares his confidence Washington would beat Oregon

Late in the fourth quarter of Washington‘s close win over rival Oregon, the Huskies’ offense was stopped on the goal line. At that point, it looked like the Ducks were going to be able to hold on and win the game. However, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. remained confident for Washington.

Ultimately, the Washington defense got the ball back around midfield. Penix and the offense showed their quick strike ability and took a late lead.

“I was always confident,” Michael Penix said. “I come into the game confident. You know, I never lose that confidence and that’s something that we’ve got throughout the team and that’s something that the coaches instilled in us as well. Our preparation, we prepare at a high level, and it allows us to go out there on game day and execute at a high level.”

For Penix, it was never a question that the defense would get the ball back for the offense. Once that happened, it came down to executing like Penix did throughout the game.

“So, I knew that we would get the ball back and once we did, I knew we were gonna go down there and make a play, and that’s what we did.”

This win came a year after Washington beat Oregon in a similar game. That game turned out to be a 37-34 point win for the Huskies after Dan Lanning made a questionable fourth down attempt call. After that, Michael Penix and the offense were able to strike and take the lead.

For Penix, there were plenty of similarities to last year’s game, even if a lot of big games end up being close at the end.

“Yeah, in a way, but it comes down to the wire in those big time games. You’ve got two good teams battling, and that’s what it takes. It takes guts,” Penix said.

“I remember after not making a fourth down, I was talking to Dylan Morris and I was like, ‘Dang, it’s just like last year. I threw the pick for the go-ahead score. We had to come back and score again. I was like, ‘We in the same situation we was last year. Once we get the ball, we’re going to make the play and we’re going to go out there and win the game,’ and that’s what we were able to do. So, it was good.”

The win puts Washington in the driver’s seat in the Pac-12 Championship race. It also gave Michael Penix his potential Heisman moment in that final drive.

Michael Penix Jr. shared his emotions following the win

It was an emotional win for the Washington Huskies over rival Oregon. Within that emotional win, Michael Penix Jr. had a Heisman moment, leading the final offensive drive to take the lead for Washington. Shortly after the game, Penix shared where his emotions were following the win.

“I’ve just got to give credit to the man upstairs and thank God for everything,” Penix said to ABC’s Holly Rowe. “He put me through it and allowed me to get to the spot I am today. It was a tough game, but I knew we would be able to pull it off. We just had to keep executing and keep pushing. I’m just super excited.”