Texas falls

NEW ORLEANS—Washington struck for 10 points in the early minutes of the third period and rode that momentum to a 37-31 victory over Big 12 Conference champion Texas before a capacity crowd at the Superdome Monday night.

Texas had rallied to score in the final minute of the first half to knot the score at 21-all at halftime but then the No. 2-seeded Huskies took command, thanks in part to a Longhorns’ turnover.

But before that key error the Huskies rode the strong arm of Michael Penix Jr. who fired a 19-yard touchdown pass with 10:30 left in the third quarter. That drive covered 70 yards on 8 plays, taking 4:30 to take the lead again.

Then came another Texas turnover as on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, CJ Baxter broke for an 8-yard run but was smacked hard by Bralen Trice and the ball hit the turf where Asa Turner recovered for the Huskies.

The Texas defense was able to keep the Huskies out of the end zone but Grady Gross kicked a 26-yard field goal and it was 31-21 with 7:44 remaining in the third quarter.

The Longhorns had to have another stop late in the third quarter after another good Washington drive and that time Gross booted a 41-yard field goal to push the lead to 13 at 34-21.

After the Huskies had raised their lead, Texas finally got some consistency on offense and moved quickly downfield and scored a toughdown on a 1-yard pass from Quinn Ewers to Mitchell with 7:23 remaining.

Then it was up to the Texas defense to come up with another stop and the Longhorns were not able to shut down the Huskies as Gross kicked a 41-yard field goal to seal the outcome with 2:40 remaining.

Texas did march downfield and kicked a field goal but the Huskies recovered an onside kick attempt and worked the clock to 0:00 to advance.

Both teams scored on their first possessions of the game, with Dillon Johnson capping 89-yard Washington drive with a 2-yard TD run. It took Penix and the Huskies just four plays to cover that distance.

Texas went 75 yards on its first possession, the payoff being a 5-yard Jaydon Blue TD run. The two teams then converted later in the second quarter to force the 21-all tie at the half.