Washington players get into heated confrontation with Texas fans after CFP semifinal win
Winning wasn’t enough for a few Washington players on Monday night. They needed to rub it in the opponent’s face. After Washington defeated Texas to advance to the national championship, several Huskies marched over to Texas fans to celebrate their victory.
As expected, the Longhorns’ diehards weren’t exactly rolling out a red carpet. Texas fans could be seen throwing up obscene gestures and shouting back-and-forth with the Washington athletes. One Texas fan repeatedly challenged the players to a fight.
Washington players seemingly basked in the hatred, smiling and throwing “Horns Down” hand symbols back at the furious fans. Washington cornerback Dyson McCutcheon was particularly verbal, shouting, “We run the south,” again and again at any Texas supporter who would listen.
In the win, he tallied four tackles. McCutcheon also didn’t hesitate to remind them this was the second time Washington had defeated Texas in a bowl game in the past two years. The Huskies defeated UT 27-20 in the Alamo Bowl last season.
To the victor go the spoils. On Monday, Washington boasted a ridiculous 532 yards of offense while only committing one turnover. Despite any postgame antics, the Huskies showed immense discipline on the field. They only committed five penalties in the win. Texas doubled that figure.
Michael Penix Jr. gets in on the fun
Michael Penix Jr., who was also a part of the verbal altercation, had plenty to brag about. In the victory, Penix threw for 430 yards and two touchdowns to win the game’s MOP award. Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer discussed his sixth-year senior’s standout performance following the game.
“He’s been on a mission,” DeBoer told Molly McGrath after accepting the Sugar Bowl trophy. “It’s a year ago when he chose to come back, and a lot of other guys I think followed his lead.
“Even the last month, just everything he’s done, leading our football team all day today, each and every drive, just making the plays he needed to to help us find a way to win.”
Even Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had to give Penix props during the postgame press conference.
“He was elusive in the pocket,” Sarkisian said of Penix. “He did a good job of avoiding the rush and then keeping his eyes. And then I thought they did a good job of taking advantage of some one-on-one matchups when they got them.
“It just kind of felt like every time they threw it, and we were in pretty good coverage, they made the play. And that’s a credit to them. They’re a good offense and a good passing offense especially. It showed. We just couldn’t get him on the ground.”