Pinnacle Penix Moment Propels Huskies' Amazing Autzen Awakening

EUGENE, Ore. — For the first time all game, Michael Penix Jr. was alone and unprotected at Autzen Stadium. On Saturday night, as his University of Washington defensive unit went out to turn a sudden 37-34 lead over Oregon into an eventual signature victory over the final minute of play, the Husky quarterback nervously paced the sideline.

Penix was fidgety and clearly revved up, talking to himself, needing to walk it all off in solitude, yet frequently looking up and peeking at what was going on out on the field.

Otherwise, the Huskies' offensive leader was his usual vision of absolute cool in this breakthrough moment in what is often the unwelcome and punishing lair of the UW's most disliked rival.

While at Indiana, Penix shared in plenty of huge Big Ten victories, leading the Hoosiers past Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State. Asked where a win over the Ducks on the road stood with him, he had a ready and enthusiastic answer.

"Man, this is No. 1," he rattled off. "I'm a Dawg, man. I love this. I love this feeling. I love my brothers that are in that locker room right now. It was a great team win. That was beautiful."

On this night, Penix outplayed Ducks counterpart Bo Nix, who Oregon fans had begun lobbying for Heisman Trophy consideration coming into the game. The quarterbacks respectfully embraced at midfield once the clock had run out.

For the 10th consecutive Husky game, Penix came out of the game-day action in perfect health, putting more distance between him and his nagging injury-prone reputation created after four season-ending injuries at Indiana.

Nix, however, wasn't quite so lucky, needing to be helped off the field with what appeared to be a damaged knee after taking a hit from UW safety Alex Cook, forcing him to miss a series before he courageously returned and played out the final possession.

Michael Penix Jr. lets his Husky teammates know what's coming from the Oregon side, pointing out potential trouble, same as center Corey Luciano.

Michael Penix Jr. sends one whistling in the direction of Ja'Lynn Polk. Those two later hooked up for a 76-yard touchdown strike by badly beating the Ducks secondary.

UW quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had time to throw all game against Oregon, with his offensive line preventing him from getting sacked.

Michael Penix Jr. hustles to get off a throw as an Oregon defender bears down on him on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.

Quarterbacks Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. share a postgame moment at the middle of the field after dueling for three hours in Autzen Stadium.

Michael Penix Jr. enjoyed the 37-34 victory over Oregon as much as anyone as he rushed to the West end zone to celebrate with Husky fans.

Michael Penix Jr. clearly enjoys sharing his success with his fellow UW students, sharing hand slaps with them following the stirring 37-34 win at Oregon.

A Michael Penix Jr. postgame interview is always a lively event as his voice rises and the words come tumbling out. Saturday at Autzen Stadium was no exception.

Penix completed 26 of 35 passes for 408 yards and 2 touchdowns; Nix connected on 19 of 28 throws for 279 yards and a pair of scores.

The Husky QB ran twice for 20 yards; Nix carried the ball 10 times for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Nix purportedly played behind the conference's top offensive line but that might be up for some debate now. He entered the game having been sacked just once all season. Yet two of his starters, guard Ryan Walk and center Alex Forsyth, had to be helped from the field against the Huskies with injuries.

Oh yes, the UW edge rushers Bralen Trice and Jeremiah Martin shared in the second sack of the former Auburn quarterback late in the game while Penix went untouched at Autzen.

Penix has been so ridiculously good as a passer, he's putting up what amounts to elite California high school recruit numbers this season with 286 completions in 426 attempts (67.1 percent) for a nation-leading 3,640 yards and 25 touchdowns.

He spreads the wealth as well as anyone, too, after throwing 76- and 62-yard scoring strikes to Ja'Lynn Polk and Taj Davis, who aren't even his top two receivers.

In a matchup between these Pac-12 X-Men, Penix came away the winner, Nix the runner-up, in this quarterback beauty contest.

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