Michael Penix Jr. Disappoints CFB Fans as Washington Lose to Michigan in Title Game

zach bacharContributor IJanuary 9, 2024

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Michael Penix Jr. couldn’t overcome the Wolverines’ defense as No. 2 Washington lost to No. 1 Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship game by the final score of 34-13 on Monday night.

Penix Jr. threw for a modest 255 yards, although he completed just 52.9 percent of his passes while throwing just one touchdown to go along with two costly interceptions. This was just his second game with multiple interceptions this season and his first since Oct. 21.

Washington’s undefeated season came to an end, as the Huskies’ high-powered offense scored a season-low 13 points. Penix Jr. was uncharacteristically inaccurate all night long, routinely missing throws to uncovered receivers.

College football fans were bewildered by the struggles of the quarterback who finished second in Heisman Trophy voting.

ESPN @espnMICHIGAN PICKS OFF PENIX JR. ON FOURTH DOWN! 😱#NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/Kgh8ua2Rxz

ESPN @espnWashington turnover on downs! 😳

Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze can’t connect on the deep pass. #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/oo3bBV8xgQ

Emmanuel Acho @EmmanuelAchoMichael Penix played Texas last week and couldn’t miss a throw to save his life, now he want to come out here and start missing throws!??

I’m sick!! 🤮🤮🤮

Kris @mizkris18This one isn’t on Washington’s defense.

Gave Penix and co. every possible chance with like 9 straight stops.

Lucy Rohden @lucy_rohdenReally need Michael Penix Jr. to start Michael Penix Jr-ing

karan @905KarPenix’s mechanics are absolutely brutal whenever he’s forced to work off platform. Has a bad habit of dipping his elbow that hurts his accuracy significantly.

Geoff Ketchum @gkketchThis version of Penix is basically a completely different player from last week.

Brett Kollmann @BrettKollmannThis game by Penix is going to end up having a similar effect on his draft evals as CJ Stroud’s game against Georgia.

But, like…opposite.

Ryan D Leaf @RyanDLeafAs good as Penix looked in the national semifinal he has looked equally as bad in the title game. Happy feet, peeking at the rush, inaccurate down the field. Dramatizing every hit he took all night. Credit the UM defense, but tonight was just too fast for him. #CFPChampionship

🐧✨America Is Musty✨🐧 @DragonflyJonezJust the worst possible night Penix couldve had. Struggling against an elite defense. Knee injury scare. Coaching losing confidence in him and having him do these weak little PA dump offs and screens. Every NFL suit who wasn’t high on him has all the footage they need this game

Are Sports Important? @IOnlySayFactsPenix legit went from the best tape to the worst tape in the span of two games

Brandon C @UWFBopinionsMichigan has a legit defense

AND Penix is totally off today.

Not a good mix. Damn.

Although their season had a bittersweet end, the Huskies still won the first College Football Playoff game in school history by defeating Texas in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. However, Penix Jr. underwhelmed and prevented Washington from winning its penultimate game.