{"id":18461,"date":"2024-01-02T13:58:23","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T08:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/washington-fends-off-texas-in-thrilling-half-advances-to-cfp-national-championship\/"},"modified":"2024-01-02T13:58:23","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T08:28:23","slug":"washington-fends-off-texas-in-thrilling-half-advances-to-cfp-national-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/washington-fends-off-texas-in-thrilling-half-advances-to-cfp-national-championship\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington fends off Texas in thrilling half, advances to CFP National Championship"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ad_1]\n<\/p>\n

\n

The Pac-12 is going out with a bang.<\/p>\n

Months after the storied conference disintegrated due to conference realignment, the Washington Huskies will play for the national championship against Michigan after defeating Texas 37-31 on Monday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n
\"Jalen<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
\n
\n

Jalen McMillan #11 of the Washington Huskies celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Texas Longhorns during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.\u00a0<\/span> (Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Longhorns\u2019 late rally in the fourth quarter was a valiant effort led by quarterback Quinn Ewers, but Washington was able to pull away behind Michael Penix Jr.’s dominating performance in the second half.\u00a0<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u200b\u200bHeisman Trophy finalist finished 29 of 38 for 430 passing yards and two touchdowns.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the first half to start the third quarter tied at 21. Washington then pulled ahead with Penix\u2019s 19-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan and Grady Gross\u2019 two successful field goal attempts of 26 and 40 yards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Texas clawed their way back to a six-point deficit. A string of penalties by Washington would get the Ewers within reach of the endzone, but after four attempts, including a batted down ball by cornerback Elijah Jackson, the Huskies move on in search of their first national championship since 1991 and the Pac-12’s first since 2004.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Elijah<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
\n
\n

Elijah Jackson #25 of the Washington Huskies breaks up a pass to Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Texas Longhorns on the final play of the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.\u00a0<\/span> (Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

MICHIGAN RALLIES BACK, ADVANCES TO CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH OVERTIME VICTORY OVER ALABAMA<\/strong><\/p>\n

The win comes as the Pac-12 prepares for a new look. Washington is one of 10 schools leaving the conference for other Power Five conferences next year, with the Huskies headed to join Michigan in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n

But first, Washington will face off against the undefeated Wolverines in the CFP National Championship in Houston, Texas on Jan. 8 after Michigan outlasted Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\"Michael<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
\n
\n

Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Washington Huskies and Edefuan Ulofoshio #5 celebrate with the trophy after a 37-31 victory against the Texas Longhorns in the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.\u00a0<\/span> (Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Senior running back Blake Courm ran for his 56th career touchdown in Michigan\u2019s opening drive of overtime to solidify Big Blue\u2019s place in the championship and became the program\u2019s all-time rushing touchdown leader in the process.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fox News’ Joe Morgan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s <\/strong><\/i>sports coverage on X<\/u><\/strong><\/i><\/a> and subscribe to <\/strong><\/i>the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/u><\/strong><\/i>.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n