The Washington Huskies had no trouble with the California Golden Bears to open Pac-12 play, cruising to a 59-32 victory. In fact, Kalen DeBoer’s team went up 14-0 before quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took his first snap of the night.
On the game’s opening possession, linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio picked off a pass from quarterback Ben Finley, the first interception of his career, and returned it for a 45-yard touchdown. Then, on the next drive, wide receiver Rome Odunze scored his first career punt return touchdown, going 83 yards for the score.
Penix didn’t take his first snap until there were 5:30 remaining in the first quarter and went on to throw for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns, helping the Huskies put up 45 points before halftime. He also threw 1 interception, which was negated on the very next play with cornerback Jabbar Muhammad’s first pick of the season.
Ja’Lynn Polk led all receivers with 8 receptions for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Odunze was close behind, pulling in 5 catches for 125 yards and 2 scores. Running backs Dillon Johnson and Sam Adams II both found paydirt on the ground, and safety Dominique Hampton was able to muster his first career interception too.
On the other side of the field, receiver Jeremiah Hunter posted 5 catches for 85 yards and a touchdown against his future teammates. Before leaving the game to the freshmen and walk-ons in the fourth quarter, Washington had allowed just 19 points and 297 yards in an impressive all-around showing.
As we look back through Washington’s magical run to the national championship in 2023, enjoy some of the best photos of the journey from our USA TODAY network of photographers.