Washington Huskies College Football Pregame Quote, 12/30/2023

Q. How have you guys dealt with all of this hoopla? Do you compartmentalize?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: Yeah, man, we understand. We came here for business, you know. But, obviously, there’s a lot that comes with it. And being on this stage, it’s a lot that comes with being on this stage, you know, playing in the college football playoffs. So we’re soaking it all in. Like I said, we’re enjoying the opportunity, but we know the job and the task at hand. We’re not going to forget that.

Q. And it goes without saying, it’s an opportunity for history, for you all, for this school, just what that means to you.

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: Like I said, it means a lot. We put in a lot of work to get to this stage to get to where we’re at right now. And it’s been amazing. The whole journey has been amazing. But the job is not done. We’ve got to make sure we come mentally prepared. We can’t get distracted and all the outside stuff, you know. But this team is very mature, and we’re not going to let all that outside stuff get in the way of our goals and our dreams and what we’ve been chasing since day one. So it’s going to be fun.

Q. What’s some of that outside stuff?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: Without being rude, like this, the media, the other events that we’re doing, just all the stuff we wouldn’t do in the regular week. If we was in Seattle right now playing a regular game, it would just be practice. And it would like, okay, game on Saturday. But whenever you’re playing on this stage, obviously, it’s a lot more that comes with it.

So, like I said, we’re all super blessed to be in this position. We’re soaking it all in, but we’ve still got a task at hand.

Q. You’ve had an amazing career the last couple of years, where you overcame injuries. Can you reflect on that at all?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: I just try to be on my feet. I don’t really think too far ahead, and I don’t really think too much behind. I can’t forget my past because it allowed me to get to where I’m at today. I wouldn’t change my route for anything. I feel like everything I’ve been through shaped me into the person I am today, the player, the man I am today.

So I wouldn’t say I would take it back, but I wouldn’t say that that’s something that I would have wished for either, you know, all the injuries and stuff like that. But I feel like I’m right where I want to be right now, here with my team in the college football playoffs. We’re living the dream.

Q. What does it feel like to have that opportunity? I’m sure you’ve watched those games growing up, and now to get the chance to play in it.

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: It feels great. Like I said, I’m blessed, blessed to be in this position and with the guys that I love. And I do it each and every week. So it’s a blessing.

Q. When you look at this Texas defense, what are some of the things you will key on? Not to give away a game plan or anything like that, but what makes them tough to move the ball against?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: They’re a good defense. They do a lot of great things. I feel like they’re coached very well, and they’ve got some good players as well too. But I feel like we’re going to be ready for the challenge, no matter what’s in front of us.

We always do what we’ve got to do to find a way to win. We’ve been doing it all year, and we’ve got one more right here in front of us.

Q. When you think about the last time you played this Texas team, is there any kind of good memories you take into the fact that you’ve beaten them before, or is this just completely new, blank slate?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: It’s a blank slate. It’s a whole different team. We’re a whole different team. No wins from last year can carry over to this year; so we’ve got to do it again. That’s all.

Q. How different are they to you this year compared to last year?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: I don’t really know. We’ve got to see. I guess we’ve got to see.

Q. The national title opportunity is so special for all of you guys on the team, but it’s also special for the entire city of Seattle. What does it mean to give them all this fun, everything they’ve given you and enjoyed on the ride so far, but certainly, potentially hopefully, with more to come?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: It means a lot. Our fans, they do an amazing job supporting us. They’re always there cheering us on, keeping us motivated all the time. So we’re super blessed to have such an amazing fanbase, and we just do our best to put on a show for them each and every week.

Q. Coach [Kalen] DeBoer told me earlier that one of the reasons that you guys have been so good in critical moments in games this year is the confidence that has been instilled in this team. And he said that you guys talk about it a lot. Can you take us a little bit further into that? Even in the offseason or during game preparation, what are some of the things that Coach DeBoer and his staff can say that does give you guys that confidence in those moments?

MICHAEL PENIX, JR.: Coach DeBoer, it’s easy to have confidence whenever he’s speaking because he’s always coming from the heart, and he’s always the same guy each and every day. He always comes and leads us to help us win football games. And whenever you’ve got a coach that’s always the same guy every day, he’s very consistent all the time, making sure that we’re doing what we have to do and he wants to see us be, not just better players, but better men as well. It’s something special to have.

And that confidence just comes from our relationship with each other throughout the team. And I feel like our team has an amazing relationship with each other. We bond and connect very well, and it’s been a great journey so far. And it’s been exciting.