When Washington kicked a field goal to go up nine points with 2:40 remaining in the Sugar Bowl against Texas, it didn’t seem like the Huskies would have to sweat out the game’s final seconds. But that’s exactly what happened.
The Longhorns cut the lead to six points with just over a minute left. Texas attempted an onside kick, which the Huskies recovered with just over a minute left. The Longhorns had two time-outs left, so Washington couldn’t quite run out the entire clock. But the best case scenario for Texas was to get the ball back with less than 20 seconds left deep in its own territory. Or at least that’s what seemed like the best case scenario was for the Longhorns.
Washington running back Dillon Johnson was injured on the third down play. That stopped the clock, giving Texas 40 seconds it wouldn’t have otherwise had. The Huskies were then penalized 15 yards for kick catch interference on the punt. So, Texas began its possession on the 31-yard line with 41 seconds left. The Longhorns needed a touchdown so they still had a lot of work to do — but they had a chance.
Texas got two big plays on the ensuing drive. The first came on a 28-yard completion from Quinn Ewers to Jordan Whittington. The second was a 16-yard completion from Ewars to Jaydon Blue, who managed to keep his foot in bounds long enough to secure the catch.
Texas is trying to pull off a miracle! #CFP https://t.co/KfIIamiJ1q
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 2, 2024
Catch? #CFP pic.twitter.com/jrU4cx3Rem
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 2, 2024
From there, though, the Washington defense reassumed control. Texas lost one yards on its next three plays, setting up a fourth down with one second remaining.
Ewers threw the ball to receiver Adonai Mitchell, but Washington’s Elijah Jackson knocked the ball away to give the Huskies the nail-biting victory.
Matthew McConaughey watches the final play. #CFP pic.twitter.com/4OGRxLoCNj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 2, 2024
The unexpectedly wild finish had college football fans buzzing.
Bonkers. Absolute bonkers. What a job by Washington's defense at the end.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 2, 2024
DESPITE THEIR BEST EFFORTS, WASHINGTON IS ADVANCING TO THE NATIONAL CHANPIONSHIP
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 2, 2024
the last two minutes of that game for Washington = dudes with no training who are confident they can land a commercial aircraft
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) January 2, 2024
Washington wins! That would have been one of the most painful ways to lose that I can recall. Huskies were the better team all night.
Kalen DeBoer is the next elite big-game coach in CFB.
Washington-Michigan for the national title next Monday.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 2, 2024
Washington closing out the game: https://t.co/11bDCA8Wsx
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 2, 2024
I'm not even a Washington fan and I'm just staring at the screen in panic
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 2, 2024
Pac-12 football lives to see another day
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) January 2, 2024
Washington will play its future Big Ten rival, Michigan, in the National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 8 in Houston.
