UW Unable to Overcome Turnovers, Fall 40-32 at UCLA

PASADENA – There was no Hollywood ending for Kalen DeBoer Friday night.

Two second quarter interceptions by junior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. proved to be too much for No. 15 Washington to overcome, despite a fight to the end.

The first of Penix’s picks gave UCLA possession at the UW 15-yard line. Dorian Thompson-Robinson made quick work of the field position by connecting with Kam Brown on the very next play after the turnover for a touchdown.

It gave the Bruins a 23-10 lead with 8:02 remaining in the first half. The difference would ultimately be more than the Huskies, who end their unbeaten run and fall to 4-1 overall with the loss, could manage.

Outside of the two turnovers, Penix had another strong game. He finished with 345 yards and four touchdowns completing 33 of 48 attempts, a season high for both. It’s the third time in five games that the junior transfer has thrown for four scores.

Two went to sophomore wide receiver Rome Odunze, who recorded his second consecutive 100-yard game with 116 yards on eight catches.

His second touchdown, a 9-yard pass from Penix with 3:59 remaining in the game that cut the deficit to 40-32, would be the final score of the game. Odunze opened the night with a 33-yard touchdown on the Huskies first drive of the game.

After Penix was unable to connect with fellow sophomore Jalen McMillan on third down, the junior took advantage of single coverage against Odunze and marked the fifth straight game UW scored on its opening possession.

UW held UCLA out of the end zone on the ensuing series. The Bruins managed to work down to the UW 3-yard line before being stuffed on fourth and goal.

The Huskies failed, not only to capitalize on the stop, but turned it into the first score for the Bruins.

Wayne Taulapapa fumbled a toss from Penix on second down and fell on it in the end zone for a safety. While not a turnover, it pivoted momentum away from the Huskies.