No. 4 UW Beats WSU, 24-21, To Complete 12-0 Regular Season

SEATTLE (AP) -- Grady Gross made a 42-yard field goal on the final play, Rome Odunze caught two touchdown passes from Michael Penix Jr. and No. 4 Washington beat Washington State 24-21 on Saturday in the Boeing Apple Cup for an undefeated regular season.

"Rivalry games are going to be special," said Head Coach Kalen DeBoer. "I'm just proud of our guys. It took all phases."

Playing likely his final game at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium, Odunze caught a 40-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and hauled in a 21-yarder on the final play of the third quarter to give the Huskies a 21-14 lead.

Odunze then added his biggest running play of the year. Facing fouth-and-one at their own 29 with 1:11 left, he took a reverse 23 yards.

In the final year of the Pac-12 before most of its members scatter to other conferences, Washington (12-0, 9-0) became the first school in the 12-team era to go unbeaten in the regular season. The last conference team to finish the regular season unbeaten was Oregon in 2010 before the conference expanded to 12 teams. Prior to that, the last unbeaten seasons belonged to Southern California during its run atop the conference in the mid-2000s.

The Huskies still have one more challenge ahead, facing No. 6 Oregon in the Pac-12 championship game Friday in Las Vegas with a victory likely putting Washington into the College Football Playoff. Visit the Pac-12 Championship Central for more information.

Penix made a handful of big throws and often looked Odunze's way when they were needed. Odunze's 40-yard TD came on a play-action pass and a blown coverage by the Cougars. His 21-yard score came one play after Jack Westover made a diving grab for 19 yards.

DAWGS ??????@themikepenix ?? @RomeOdunze

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— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 25, 2023

The Huskies went 7-0 at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium for the second consecutive year. It marks the first time since 2001-02 the team completed consecutive unbeaten seasons at home.

Follow @UW_Football on Instagram and X/Twitter for the latest updates as the team prepares for the postseason.