Unlike the 2024 Rose Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Michigan Wolverines, the 2024 Sugar Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Washington Huskies, provided plenty of offense.
The Huskies wasted no time putting points on the board after the defense forced a three and out by the Longhorns on their first offensive possession of the game. It took only four plays to go 89 yards. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr found Ja’Lynn Polk on a beautiful deep throw for 77 yards. Running back Dillon Johnson capped the drive off with a two-yard touchdown run.
Texas responded with a seven play 75 yard drive. 31 of those yards came on a completion from Quinn Ewers to running back CJ Baxter. Jaydon Blue finished off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run.
After both teams punted, the Huskies scored their second touchdown of the game with Johnson scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. The Longhorns responded with a touchdown as well, this time it took only six plays to go 75 yards. Byron Murphy II scored on a one yard touchdown run.
On the ensuing possession for Washington there was a turnover on downs, Texas then punted. Penix Jr then threw his first touchdown pass of the game to Polk which went for 29 yards and late in the second quarter a 21-14 lead. Still Texas wasted little time tying the game up before half with a 71-yard drive on 10 plays. Baxter scored from three yards out.
For the Huskies the third quarter went well with a touchdown drive to start, a fumble recovery, and a 26-yard field goal by Grady Gross to go up 31-21 to start the fourth quarter.
Another field goal early in the fourth put Washington up 13. Texas fumbled again yet was able to force a punt. With their season on the line Ewers led an impressive touchdown drive to get back within six.
Both teams then traded field goals, after the Longhorns forced a three and out that did not take much time off the clock. There was once last chance for the offense and with one second on the clock, Ewers pass to the end zone was broken up. The Huskies prevailed 37-31 and much like the earlier Rose Bowl game, this game became an instant classic.
Ewers finished completing 24 of 43 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown, he also ran the football eight times for 54 yards. Baxter led the way with nine carries for 64 yards, and Blue nine carries for 59 yards, he also caught four passes for 45 yards. Ja’Tavion Sanders caught six passes for 75 yards, Jordan Whittington four passes for 70 yards, and Xavier Worthy caught two passes for 45 yards.
Penix Jr completed 29 of 38 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns, he also ran for 31 yards on three carries. Johnson carried the ball 21 times for 49 yards. Rome Odunze caught six passes for 125 yards, Polk caught five passes for 122 yards, Jack Westover caught six passes for 59 yards, and Jalen McMillan caught five passes for 58 yards.