The Oregon Ducks could not end the 2023 season with a national championship. It turns out that the next best thing is watching your biggest rival lose in the national championship game.
With the Washington Huskies’ 34-13 loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday night, it gave Oregon Duck fans a reason to celebrate on social media. With Michael Penix trying to lead the Huskies to a championship, many Duck fans found themselves rooting hard for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines, pulling for Michigan from the very start.
Early on, it looked like a blow out was in order, with Michigan getting anything they wanted offensively in the first quarter. However, Washington made it a game by halftime, and it was relatively close in the fourth quarter until Michigan was able to put the game away with a late interception on Penix.
After that happened, and the game was put out of reach, Duck fans celebrated on social media as their rival mourned the loss. Here are some of the best reactions from the night:
Regardless of the outcome, this is a very aesthetically pleasing uniform matchup.
I think that’s something we can all cheer about!
— Jared Mack (@Jared_Mack7) January 9, 2024
Well, if Michigan is going to be able to run the ball like that all night…
10 yards per rush on the opening drive. Tone set.
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) January 9, 2024
Michigan just did exactly what Oregon needed to do to start the Pac-12 CG. Get the ball to start and punch it down UW’s throat.
— Jonah Henderson (@JonahNHenderson) January 9, 2024
87 yards and 2 TDs on 2 runs for Edwards…goodness.
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) January 9, 2024
If there is any offense in the nation capable of coming back from 2 scores down, it’s Washington.
Still a ton of game left to be played. That being said, Huskies need to show something.
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) January 9, 2024
Weird. The 132nd ranked tackle success defense can’t tackle tonight.
The Washington safeties are just blindly flying into the box. No vision.— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 9, 2024
That was probably a touchdown to Rome Odunze, and Michael Penix Jr. missed him.
That kind of night.
— Mike Vorel (@mikevorel) January 9, 2024
An unpressured Michael Penix missing a WIDE open Rome Odunze. What is going on.
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) January 9, 2024
Oregon never saw this version of Michael Penix this season.
— Justin Hopkins (@JHopkinsSD) January 9, 2024
Can’t wear Adidas and win a championship in this era
— Arrion Springs (@A_Springs1) January 9, 2024
Weird. The 132nd ranked tackle success defense can’t tackle tonight.
The Washington safeties are just blindly flying into the box. No vision.— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 9, 2024
The CFP came into existence with a Pac-12 team losing to a B1G team.
It goes out the same way.
The circle is complete.
— Thicc-Fil-A, a Habitual Pot Stirrer (@SwooshMcDuck) January 9, 2024
Congratulations on Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on a national championship!
— The Solid Verbal College Football Podcast (@SolidVerbal) January 9, 2024