Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. knew what everyone in Husky Stadium and millions of television viewers were in the process of finding out: the outcome of the Apple Cup was out of his hands.
With five seconds left and his team tied 21-21 with Washington State, Huskies kicker Grady Gross jogged onto the field to attempt a 42-yard field goal. Penix had just polished off a solid performance in which he completed 18 of his 33 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
As Gross prepared to win it for Washington, the Heisman contender did something extraordinary: he turned away from the field and placed his head in a Huskies equipment chest, seemingly unable to watch the game's conclusion.
Michael Penix Jr. couldn't watch while his team went for the game-winning field goal pic.twitter.com/x3aaGxK1eC
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2023
Gross's kick was true, although Penix remained unable to face his 12-0 team in the immediate aftermath of the 24-21 win.
In his sixth and apparent final collegiate season, Penix has been one of the game's best quarterbacks for the second straight year. His 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions seem likely to earn him an invitation to New York for the Heisman ceremony, regardless of the outcome of Washington's Pac-12 title duel with Oregon Friday.
However, his behavior during one of the biggest plays of the Huskies' season proved that within every great quarterback, there is still a superstitious spectator.
