by Kyle Golik
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was host this past Saturday night to more than just Southern California and Washington vying for Pac-12 supremacy. It was also the potential decision-making game that may have decided who takes home the Heisman Trophy.
Despite all the defensive woes Southern California has endured this season, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams has played at a level that is deserving of a repeat Heisman Trophy. Williams has completed nearly 70% of his passes on the season with 3,104 yards of total offense and 38 touchdowns responsible for (28 pass, 10 rush).
Despite not having the same offensive supporting cast and a defense that is in the bottom 30 of every major defensive category (highlighted by surrendering nearly 35 points per game, 124th in the nation,) Williams has still maintained his play as the top quarterback in the country.
Saturday’s showdown with Washington was supposed to be, for Williams, the start of two consecutive games against his top Heisman competition, with the Trojans visiting Autzen Stadium this week to play quarterback Bo Nix and No. 6 Oregon. If he were to be the first repeat Heisman Trophy winner since Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975, it would be determined through these two games.
Williams did not disappoint in a 52-42 loss to the No. 5 Washington Huskies. He managed to complete nearly 80% of his passes (27 of 32) for 312 yards, and four touchdowns responsible for (3 pass, 1 rush).
His opponent, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., may not have beaten Williams in the stat sheet as he only completed 22 of 30 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns responsible for (2 pass, 1 rush). However, it was Penix’s ability to be the better conductor in a high-profile showdown that may have won him the Heisman Trophy.
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While Penix enjoyed a slightly better QBR than Williams in their showdown (90.5 to 89.1), it was the eye test of how he conducted one of the nation’s top offenses that is in the Top 5 in scoring (41.7 points per game – No. 4), passing offense (383.1 yards per game – No. 1), total offense (509.1 yards per game – No. 4).
Penix knew when to dial up running back Dillon Johnson, who matched Penix in offensive yards at 256 a piece, but Johnson’s four touchdowns, averaging nearly 10 yards per carry, finally complimented the nation’s top aerial attack, keeping Southern California’s woeful defense to continue guessing.
The Heisman highlight reel for Penix got two more plays added to it, and both occurred on Penix’s touchdown passes.
On the first touchdown pass, Penix rolled to the boundary and on the run located tight end Devin Culp on a 22-yard touchdown pass. The ability for Penix to not only locate Culp but also do so accurately on the run, passing through the tight window against the left end zone boundary, was a work of art.
The All-22 of that Michael Penix Jr. TD pass to TE Devin Culp looks even more ridiculous. pic.twitter.com/hpG7hpyLhE
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) November 5, 2023
His second touchdown pass to wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk demonstrated the velocity Penix can throw. The window wasn’t tight, but it was the recognition and quick thinking. The fastball Penix hurled at Polk left the Trojans guessing.
Michael Penix Jr put a little more zip on this TD pass to Ja’Lynn Polk 🎯 pic.twitter.com/nts1nGoUIo
— RanDynasty (@ran_dynasty) November 5, 2023
Throughout the season, Penix has displayed how he is not only the best quarterback in the country but also deserving of the Heisman Trophy. When you watch Penix, he doesn’t seem phased by any situation and makes great decisions. His throws seem to be effortless at all levels of the field and show an elite combination of anticipation and touch.
To me, the play this season that defined how good Penix was came during the Oregon game. After the Washington defense turned away Oregon on downs with under two minutes to go, Penix found Polk in stride for a 35-yard gain. What made the throw amazing was the amount of trust Penix had in Polk. His ball placement and anticipation were unmatched. When Polk made the play, it set the stage for Penix to find wide receiver Rome Odunze for the game-winning touchdown.
This season, Penix has put up some gaudy numbers: 3,201 yards passing, completing nearly 70% of his passes, and 26 touchdowns. But what has defined his Heisman season is his playing selflessly.
When Arizona took away the passing game for Penix, he adjusted and complemented Johnson with whatever he needed. Penix finished completing 75% of his passes for 363 yards, but it was his ability to incorporate Johnson, whose 139 total yards and two touchdowns helped get the win.
Penix has demonstrated all season he is the nation’s most outstanding player. His determination and perseverance are the reason Washington is undefeated looking to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2016.
Saturday, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner lost a duel with the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, as Penix asserted himself as the best candidate.
