Heisman Trophy watch 2023: Michael Penix Jr. soars up the top 5
![Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f6c63f06d95653164315142cb54e7baf0848504e0c621e0eb4ed22b81fa2e197.jpg)
As a Michigan State alum and fan, I can openly say that I’m sick of Michael Penix Jr. No, that’s not an insult, Penix has just dominated the Spartans throughout his career at Indiana and Washington, and Saturday was just the latest in a long string of dominant games.
Penix took it to Michigan State on Saturday in the two schools’ last matchup as non-conference opponents. He had a massive game against a team that just lost its head coach to somewhat of a scandal and it was clear early on that Michigan State just didn’t have it.
Washington, led by Penix, took full advantage.
The Huskies went on to win 41-7 thanks to the monster game from Penix who barely played in the fourth quarter. He had 473 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions on 27-of-35 passing. He did whatever he wanted all game long and to throw for nearly 500 yards in three quarters on the road against another Power Five team is just unreal.
This was a true Heisman performance from the senior quarterback and he’s boosting his NFL draft stock each week.
And now he’s No. 1 in the Heisman Trophy watch.
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