Florida’s Key Player Isn’t Interested In Finishing Second Again…..
The motto for the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines in Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship game is “Michigan Against Everyone.” When the Huskies take on Houston, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. of Washington, who finished second in the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting to LSU’s Jayden Daniels, wouldn’t mind using the catchphrase. At Saturday’s CFP media day in Houston, Penix Jr. remarked, “I can persevere and push through any hardship that comes my way,” describing his journey from a transfer from Indiana who recovered from four injuries that ended his season to the championship game. “I just keep relying on my faith and believing that God has a purpose for my life. Furthermore, that’swhat it was all about, just trusting in God. That’s what led me to being here today, just that trust and just understanding that it’s a bigger plan for me that I might not know or that I might not see right now.” “I wouldn’t change anything I’ve been through for anything. I feel like it’s shaped me into the player and the person that I am today. I’m super blessed.” A southpaw passer with 4,648 yards, 35 touchdown passes this season, Penix has only 17 interceptions in 1,058 pass attempts the past two seasons in a reunion in Seattle with former Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. “He’s never going to have any regrets,” DeBoer said Saturday, previously confirming the runner-up finish in the Heisman voting might’ve been part of Penix’s motivation on New Year’s Day in the semifinal victory over Texas.
The head coach of Washington said, “And so no regrets when it comes to leadership and wishing he would have said something and not said it.” “I have no regrets about putting in an extra hour of routes during the summer because I know it will pay off in a big way at a big moment later in the year. I believe that he has a clear perspective on everything and doesn’t regret the way he treats people or the various situations that arise. I understand that saying “I have no regrets” is a broad statement, but it touches on all the bases.” Michigan quarterbackJ.J. McCarthy knows Penix cited his most memorable Big Ten performance, a three-TD pass game and victory over the Wolverines in 2020, as the reason why he said the Huskies’ quarterback would have received his Heisman vote without a doubt. “I voted for him for Heisman. “I’m not going to lie,” declared McCarthy, a non-Hiesman supporter. The thing that (Michigan strength and conditioning) coach Herb (Ben Herbert) always says is that a future favors those who press on, and Michael Penix has proven that by persevering through all the hardships and injuries he has faced.
“He’s the epitome of that. The player he is, the touch he puts on the ball, the accuracy, the ball placement, just a tremendous quarterback and I have so much respect for him.” To be the last QB standing on Monday night, Penix is banking on his top-ranked offensive line to hold Michigan’s stout pass rush at bay. But it’s the Wolverines’ secondary that had Penix and his receivers talking this week. “That whole defense — they’re good. They do a lot of good things on that side of the ball. I feel like they’re very well-coached and they have a lot of good players. And we do, too, obviously,” Penix said, adding he’s ready to ride with his side in the strength-vs-strength match.
“Regardless of the opponent, I will always have faith in my team and trust that they can complete the task at hand. I’m giddy with anticipation. I’m sure the guys are giddy with anticipation. I guess we’ll find out who had the better side on Monday.” Rome Odunze, a wide receiver for Washington, proposed to “transfer the Heisman Trophy” to Penixduring the previous week’s Sugar Bowl. Instead, he envisions Penix making another declaration after the dust settles in Houston while toting a trophy. “Unfortunately, I feel like the media and everybody on the outside hasn’t paid close enough attention,” Odunze stated. “He’s special and he’s fought through adversity, and here he is shining on the biggest stage.”