Washington

Washington QB questions Texas' talent ahead of Sugar Bowl

Published

12 months ago

December 29, 2023

Washington QB questions Texas' talent ahead of Sugar Bowl

Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies looks for an open receiver during the Pac-12 Championship game against the Oregon Ducks at Allegiant Stadium on December 1, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian landed his first head coaching job with the Huskies in December 2008. Washington, which posted an 0-12 record the season prior to Sarkisian’s arrival, went 34-29 in his five years at the helm. The two teams also share a bit of recent history, with the Huskies taking down the Longhorns 27-20 in the 2022 Alamo Bowl. And of course, there’s UT’s 2001 Holiday Bowl win over Washington, when Major Applewhite helped Texas erase a 19-point, third-quarter deficit in one of the program’s more thrilling comebacks this century.

Another story line emerged as players from both teams spoke with the media after their arrival in New Orleans, with Washington QB Michael Penix providing what some might call bulletin-board material when speaking about the vaunted Texas defense.

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“I’m not going to lie, their D-line is good,” Penix said. “But at the same time, they haven’t played our O-line. So they showed a lot of great things throughout the year. Their whole defense, they do a great job. I feel like their coach does a great job with their system. They definitely play, what’s the word? They play good ball, man. But … we’re not playing, like, the 49ers’ D-line or the Eagles’ D-line, so we’ll be good.”

Penix’s comments fall more in the category of confidence in his own team than disrespect of the Longhorns, something he displayed again in his answer to a follow-up question.

Washington Huskies QB Michael Penix Jr is awarded the offensive MVP after Valero Alamo Bowl game featuring the Texas Longhorns and the Washington Huskies on December 29, 2022 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX.
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“They had some good D-linemen last year,” Penix said. “One or two might have left. They were good last year, too. They usually have big boys over there on that side that can make plays. But I don’t know, but it’s different seeing them on film and being in the game. You see it on film, but at the same time, you’re watching a game against Texas Tech, K-State, all the teams they play, and I don’t feel like those teams have the offensive line that we have. So it’s like, we’ll have to see when it comes game day.

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“I’m not going to discredit their talent. They’ve got talent. But it will be different when we play them. It’s always going to be different depending on the team.”

While Penix’s comments didn’t appear to be intended as a slight, that doesn’t mean Texas players aren’t taking notice. UT defensive lineman Byron Murphy II quote-tweeted a report of what Penix said and simply alluded to the start time of their matchup: “January 1st 7:45 p.m.”

Similar to the Washington quarterback, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Outland Trophy winner T’Vondre Sweat responded to a question about the Huskies’ offensive line—which was recently named the Joe Moore Award recipient as the top O-line in college football—by expressing confidence in his own team.

“It’s just another O-line to me,” Sweat said. “They’re a great group of guys. And they’re here to win, just like we’re here to win. … Everybody will see Monday at [7:45 p.m.]”

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Washington

OKC Thunder vs. Washington Wizards [12/23]: Updated Injury Report, Betting odds

Published

4 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

OKC Thunder vs. Washington Wizards [12/23]: Updated Injury Report, Betting odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5) and Washington Wizards (4-22) will face off in the Paycom Center for a mini one game home stand. The Thunder will then head East for a two game road trip to take on the Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets before its elongated home stand to close out December and tip-off January.

The OKC Thunder are poised to extend its seven game winning streak playing an inferior opponent, but they have to start the game fast with the energy needed to run the Wizards off the floor.

Ahead of this game, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards have each added names to its injury report and the betting odds have been updated.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Washington Wizards

The Oklahoma City Thunder opened up as 18 point favorites over the Washington Wizards according to FanDuel, but that has been bet down to 17.5 as of this afternoon. The Thunder have been good at covering the spread this season, though this is a massive line. However, with two days off after this game, the Thunder might not rest its rotation too much regardless of score.

Want to join the discussion? Like Thunder on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

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Washington

Commanders-Eagles Stats & Snaps

Published

15 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

“Washington-Philadelphia Monday Stats Pack” is presented by BDO by the Numbers. People who know, know BDO.

A list of stats and notes from the Washington Commanders’ 36-33 win against Philadelphia, presented by BDO by the Numbers, as compiled by Washington Commanders Public Relations.

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Washington

Denzel Washington Receives Minister’s License, Gets Baptized

Published

23 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Denzel Washington Receives Minister’s License, Gets Baptized

Denzel Washington can now add ministry to his long resume.

On Saturday, the Gladiator II star was baptized, receiving a certificate of baptism, as well as a minister’s license, meaning that he can later get ordained. The event took place at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ located in New York City’s Harlem, per Today. First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ Eastern New York livestreamed the service on Facebook.

“In one week I turn 70. It took a while, but I’m here,” the prolific actor said. Washington also thanked his wife, Pauletta Washington.

The two-time Academy Award winner has been open about his faith before, telling Esquire last month that while talk of religion in Hollywood is rare, he is unflinching in his resolve to share his beliefs and experience.

“I’m unafraid. I don’t care what anyone thinks. See, talking about the fear part of it—you can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town,” he wrote in an essay relayed by the magazine.

He continued at the time, “It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe. There’s no such thing called Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That to me means a street called Hollywood Boulevard. It’s not like we all meet somewhere and discuss what we believe. So I don’t know how many other actors have faith. I didn’t do no poll. How would I find that out? I mean, there’s no Church Actor Meetings I’ve been to.”

Upcoming on Washington’s docket is Spike Lee’s Apple Original Films/A24 project Highest 2 Lowest, alongside A$AP Rocky & Ice Spice, as well as Black Panther 3, his involvement in which he accidentally let slip.

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