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Michael Penix Jr. Disappoints CFB Fans as Washington Lose to Michigan in Title Game | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Author

Jackson Reed

Published Mar 24, 2026

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 08: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies throws the ball in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 CFP National Championship game at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)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 @espn

MICHIGAN PICKS OFF PENIX JR. ON FOURTH DOWN! 😱<a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">

ESPN @espn

Washington turnover on downs! 😳<br><br>Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze can't connect on the deep pass. <a href="">#NationalChampionship</a> <a href="">

Emmanuel Acho @EmmanuelAcho

Michael 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!??<br><br>I'm sick!! 🤮🤮🤮

Kris @mizkris18

This one isn't on Washington's defense. <br><br>Gave Penix and co. every possible chance with like 9 straight stops.

Lucy Rohden @lucy_rohden

Really need Michael Penix Jr. to start Michael Penix Jr-ing

karan @905Kar

Penix'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 @gkketch

This version of Penix is basically a completely different player from last week.

Brett Kollmann @BrettKollmann

This game by Penix is going to end up having a similar effect on his draft evals as CJ Stroud's game against Georgia.<br><br>But, like…opposite.

Ryan D Leaf @RyanDLeaf

As 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. <a href="">#CFPChampionship</a>

🐧✨America Is Musty✨🐧 @DragonflyJonez

Just 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? @IOnlySayFacts

Penix legit went from the best tape to the worst tape in the span of two games

Brandon C @UWFBopinions

Michigan has a legit defense<br><br>AND Penix is totally off today.<br><br>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.