Passing offense

SEATTLE – The University of Washington passing offense has been in full force through the first seven weeks of the season, with junior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. leading the FBS in passing yards after a program-high 516-yard performance in a 49-39 win over Arizona on Saturday.

“It’s not just about what he did statistically, he just keeps putting the pressure on and really leading the charge to help us win the football game,” UW football head coach Kalen DeBoer said in Saturday’s postgame press conference. “We needed all those points and all those yards that he gave us.”

Last week against Arizona State, Penix, a transfer from Indiana University where he was a three-year starter, became the first UW quarterback to throw for 300 yards in six-consecutive games since Cody Pickett did it in 2002.

“When you’re that talented, and you’re that prepared good things should happen, and I’m proud of him,” DeBoer said.

The Huskies have scored at least 32 points in each game this season, with their 42.1 points per game average being the highest in the Pac-12 and the eighth-most in the country. Penix’s 20-4 touchdown to interception ratio has allowed the Huskies to put points on the board without turning the ball over. The UW offense checks in at seventh among Power Five schools with 512.3 yards per game, and is .2 yards per game shy of Oregon for the lead in the Pac-12.

Through seven games, Penix has completed 194-of-288 passes for 2,560 yards and 20 touchdowns. The junior has also added two touchdowns as a runner.

“The explosive opportunities when he has the ball in his hands, especially with this receiving corps, it showed up (Saturday) again,” DeBoer said.

Receiver Rome Odunze caught touchdown passes of 45 and 48 yards in Saturday’s win to add to his nine catches for 169 yards. Odunze became the first Huskies receiver to catch 100 yards in four consecutive games and has caught 34 passes for 561 yards and five touchdowns in that span. Odunze garnered recognition from DeBoer after Saturday’s win.

“He’s certainly special,” DeBoer said. “He brings that size and that strength. I feel like what I’ve seen from him, based on last year’s film and even some of spring ball, I feel so much more confident in the 50-50 balls and just him finding a way.”

The Huskies were previously ranked at No. 15 in the AP Poll after an upset win over Michigan State and defeating Stanford, but dropped out after back-to-back losses to UCLA and Arizona State. Both of Washington’s losses were by one score, losing 40-32 to UCLA and 45-38 to Arizona State. Even in losses, the offense has done its part.

“Obviously, always good to win especially coming off of a couple close ones the last two weeks,” DeBoer said. “Always things to clean up and keep getting better at.”

UW is back on the field Saturday on the road to face California. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. The game can be watched on ESPN.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.