Two Last Looks at the Huskies' Glorious Alamo Bowl Outing

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Offensive tackle Troy Fautanu is living and breathing proof that it's not easy being a University of Washington football player, even when you're on the winning side of things.

We followed him from the football field inside to the locker room, with the 6-foot-4, 312-pound sophomore limping every step of the way after he and his Husky teammates toppled the Texas Longhorns 27-20 on Thursday night in the Alamo Bowl.

Fautanu, a second-team All-Pac-12 selection who will return in 2023 rather than put his name in the NFL draft this April, was in a jovial mood even while being physically spent.

He and the rest of the veteran Husky offensive line had kept quarterback Michael Penix Jr. out of harm's way with the Longhorns, preventing anything close to a Texas sack.

Husky edge rusher Bralen Trice had a very good year for the UW, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors and receiving the Alamo Bowl defensive player of the game trophy.

Taj Davis finds great comfort in the end zone at the Alamo Bowl after catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from Michael Penix Jr. He had 4 catches for 32 yards.

Steve Sarkisian, the UW football coach from 2009 to 2013, has faced his former team twice since he left the job. He's lost both times, 17-12 while with USC in 2015 and 27-20 on Thursday with Texas.

Rome Odunze gets a hand down as he's about to hit the turf in the Alamodome after catching a pass and getting hit by D'Shawn Jamison of Texas.

UW wide receiver Rome Odunze had 5 catches for 57 yards, but this might have been the most difficult one as he heads face down to the artificial surface.

Michael Penix Jr. is well guarded as Husky offensive linemen Corey Luciano (74), Jaxson Kirkland (51) and Troy Fautanu (55) keep the Longhorns away from him.

This Penix pass is just out of the reach of Husky wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who still had a very productive outing. He led all receivers in the Alamo Bowl with 8 catches for 58 yards.

A young Texas fan holds up a home-made sign in support of the Longhorns, but it was for naught as Washington took a 27-20 victory in the Alamo Bowl.

Husky defensive back Julius Irvin was a spectator once more at the Alamo Bowl with a shoulder injury and his left arm in a sling. He'll return as a senior for the 2023 season.

Even after entering the transfer portal, redshirt freshman tight end Caden Jumper shared in all of the UW's Alamo Bowl festivities, possibly a concession for an involuntary departure.

As he got close to the UW locker room, you could hear the Prince song "Purple Rain" blasting out of the dressing area, which is a postgame ritual for this team following a victory.

Fautanu, who might need a few months to let all the aches and pains settle down following a comprehensive yet highly satisfying 11-2 season, heard the suggestion that he and the Huskies have so much momentum they should still be playing

CFP anyone?

"Twenty twenty-three, baby!" Fautanu shouted before disappearing into the enclosed Husky mayhem of towels, ice bags, box lunches and street clothes.

For a final look at the Huskies' Alamo Bowl victory, check out the attached photo gallery. To see Fautanu slowly go from point A to B, watch the above video.

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