Michael Penix Jr. has Heisman Trophy moment in Washington football win over Oregon

Michael Penix Jr. delivered a fourth-quarter touchdown pass and a come-from-behind win for Washington football that makes him a Heisman Trophy favorite. 

Going into the Washington football game against Oregon, you could sense that it was going to have an impact on the Heisman Trophy race with Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix going head-to-head.

We got the game that we wanted. Nix and Michael Penix Jr. dueled back and forth all day. Both defenses made some plays too — each boasting an important goal-line stand.

Washington football got a fourth down stop with the game on the line. Oregon went for a first down at its own 47-yard line on fourth-and-three. The Ducks didn’t get it and Michael Penix Jr. led Washington to a game-winning touchdown.

The Huskies had just been stopped at the two-yard line on their previous drive, so a touchdown felt like anything but a sure thing.

However, Michael Penix Jr. checked from the play call at the line of scrimmage and threw a game-winning touchdown pass to Rome Odunze who went up to catch it and put the Huskies in front, capping a 12-reception, 126-yard game that included two touchdowns.

It was the final pass of the game for Michael Penix Jr. who threw for 303 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

Washington football was able to hold Oregon to a field goal attempt on the next drive, which the Ducks missed as time expired to give the Huskies a 36-33 win in the top-10 matchup.

It’s been a long time since Washington football was a national title contender. But after the win over Oregon, the Huskies put themselves in that conversation.

It’s also time to consider Michael Penix Jr. the favorite for the Heisman Trophy, pending what happens with Caleb Williams against Notre Dame.