New Year's Day in New Orleans is usually a blur of beads and bad decisions, but on January 1, 2024, the only thing people were dizzy from was the ending of the game at the Caesars Superdome. If you’re looking for the short answer: The Washington Huskies won the 2024 Sugar Bowl. They took down the Texas Longhorns with a final score of 37-31.
But honestly? Just saying "Washington won" doesn't even come close to describing the absolute heart-attack of a finish we witnessed. It was a game that felt like Washington had it in the bag, then they didn't, then they did again, and then—for about ten seconds of real-time—it looked like Texas was going to pull off the greatest heist in College Football Playoff history.
How the Huskies Took Control
Washington didn't just stumble into the winner’s circle. They rode the left arm of Michael Penix Jr., who put on what many experts (including the folks over at ESPN and The Seattle Times) call one of the best quarterback performances in the history of the CFP.
Penix was surgical. He finished with 430 passing yards and two touchdowns. He didn't turn the ball over once.
The Huskies came out swinging. On his second pass of the night, Penix launched a 77-yard moonshot to Ja'Lynn Polk. It set the tone immediately. For most of the second half, it felt like Texas was playing catch-up against a guy who was playing a different sport. Washington led 34-21 early in the fourth quarter, and while Texas kept chipping away, the Huskies always seemed to have an answer.
Then things got weird.
The Injury That Changed the Clock
With about a minute left, Washington was trying to run out the clock. Disaster struck when their star running back, Dillon Johnson, went down with a serious-looking leg injury.
In a normal situation, the clock would have kept running. But because of the injury timeout, the clock stopped. This gave Texas about 40 extra seconds they shouldn't have had. It was a brutal "football gods" moment that turned a safe lead into a frantic defensive stand.
That Final Texas Drive
Texas got the ball back at their own 31-yard line with 45 seconds left. No timeouts. Quinn Ewers, who had been a bit hot and cold all night, suddenly turned into a magician.
- He hit Jordan Whittington for 41 yards.
- Then a 16-yard strike to Jaydon Blue.
- Suddenly, Texas was at the Washington 12-yard line with 15 seconds to go.
The stadium was vibrating. You've got 68,000 people screaming, and the Huskies' defense is gassed.
Texas had four shots at the end zone. Four.
On the very last play, with one second on the clock, Ewers threw a fade to Adonai Mitchell in the corner of the end zone. Mitchell is a "big game" receiver—he had scored in basically every playoff game he'd ever played in. But Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson timed his jump perfectly. He swatted the ball away as time expired.
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Game over. Huskies win.
Why This Game Still Matters
This win wasn't just about a trophy. It was a massive statement for the Pac-12 in its final year of existence as we knew it. Washington became the first team from that conference to win a CFP game since Oregon did it back in 2014.
It also solidified Penix Jr. as an absolute legend in Seattle. He wasn't just "good"; he was "NFL-scouts-scrambling-for-their-notebooks" good. Even though Washington eventually lost to Michigan in the National Championship, the Sugar Bowl was their peak.
Sugar Bowl 2024 Stats at a Glance
To understand the dominance, you gotta look at how balanced that Washington attack was. It wasn't just Penix throwing into double coverage and getting lucky.
- Michael Penix Jr.: 29/38 for 430 yards.
- Rome Odunze: 6 catches for 125 yards.
- Ja'Lynn Polk: 5 catches for 122 yards.
- Bralen Trice: 2 sacks and a forced fumble (the unsung hero on defense).
Texas actually outran Washington—180 yards to 102—but they couldn't stop the explosive "chunk" plays. Washington averaged nearly 15 yards per completion. You just can't win games when you're giving up that much real estate every time the ball leaves the QB's hand.
Wait, Wasn't There Another Sugar Bowl?
If you’re seeing results for Notre Dame vs. Georgia, don't be confused. That was the "2024 Season" Sugar Bowl (actually played on January 1, 2025).
Because the College Football Playoff expanded and changed its schedule, there are sometimes two games associated with the same calendar year or season. But the "Who won the Sugar Bowl 2024" query almost always refers to the New Year's Day classic between Washington and Texas that kicked off the 2024 calendar.
What to Remember Next Time
If you're betting on or watching future Sugar Bowls, remember that New Orleans tends to favor high-scoring offenses. The indoor environment at the Superdome is a track meet.
Watch the "Chunk" Plays
Washington won because they had more plays over 20 yards. In college ball, efficiency is great, but explosiveness wins trophies.
The Dillon Johnson Factor
Always keep an eye on how a team handles a late-game injury. The 2024 game proved that a freak injury can completely negate a clock-management strategy.
Check the Defensive Backs
Everyone talks about the QBs, but Elijah Jackson’s pass breakup is why Washington moved on. Look for teams with "length" in the secondary when playing high-flying offenses like Texas or Washington.
For those looking to relive the magic, the full highlights are still all over YouTube. Watching Penix’s placement on those back-shoulder fades is basically a masterclass in quarterbacking.