College sports

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to throw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Michael Penix Jr. tosses four TDs in No. 8 Washington’s rout of Michigan State

The Huskies put up 713 yards of offense in a 41-7 road victory over the Spartans.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to throw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., right, walks on the field with safety Vincent Holmes (18) after a victory over Tulsa in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Michigan St. welcomes No. 8 UW without suspended coach Tucker

Washington and red-hot QB Michael Penix Jr. head to East Lansing to face the embattled Spartans.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., right, walks on the field with safety Vincent Holmes (18) after a victory over Tulsa in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State running back Nakia Watson (25) secures a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Back in AP Top 25, No. 23 WSU faces Northern Colorado

The Cougars host the Bears of the FCS ahead of next week’s Pac-12 Conference opener against No. 16 Oregon State.

Washington State running back Nakia Watson (25) secures a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Edmonds Coho Derby top four finishers (from left to right) Mike Vandermeulen, Kevin Gibson, Gary Salvati and Renier Britz pose with their top catches on Sept. 9, 2023, in Edmonds. (Photo by Ron Garner)
Edmonds Coho Derby top four finishers (from left to right) Mike Vandermeulen, Kevin Gibson, Gary Salvati and Renier Britz pose with their top catches on Sept. 9, 2023, in Edmonds. (Photo by Ron Garner)
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to throw against Tulsa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Michael Penix Jr. throws 3 TD passes, No. 8 Washington routs Tulsa

Penix connects with 10 different receivers in the Huskies’ 43-10 victory.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks to throw against Tulsa during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan makes a reception at the 1-yard line against Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Trio of star receivers are on the prowl as No. 8 UW hosts Tulsa

Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk combined for 328 yards in the Huskies’ opening victory.

Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan makes a reception at the 1-yard line against Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward prepares to throw a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

WSU gets rare visit from Power Five, non-league foe in Wisconsin

The No. 19 Badgers will be the first non-conference Power Five opponent to visit Pullman in 25 years.

Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward prepares to throw a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against California, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
The 13-under Seattle Metro All Star golf team poses after winning the Pacific Northwest Section Championship of the PGA Jr. League on Aug. 17 at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Redmond, Oregon. (Provided photo)
The 13-under Seattle Metro All Star golf team poses after winning the Pacific Northwest Section Championship of the PGA Jr. League on Aug. 17 at Eagle Crest Golf Course in Redmond, Oregon. (Provided photo)
Washington running back Dillon Johnson carries for a touchdown against Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

3 lingering questions following UW’s season-opening win

The Huskies routed Boise State 56-19, but there are still strides to be made if they want to reach their ultimate goal.

Washington running back Dillon Johnson carries for a touchdown against Boise State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward (1) speaks with wide receiver Robert Ferrel (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

WSU, Oregon St. all that’s left of Pac-12 as Stanford, Cal bolt

The Cardinal and Golden Bears will join the ACC leaving the Beavers and Cougars as the final Pac-12 schools without a home.

Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward (1) speaks with wide receiver Robert Ferrel (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
FILE -  Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. Washington faces Souther California on Nov. 4, 2023. This could also have an impact on the Heisman Trophy race with USC quarterback Caleb Williams, last year's winner, and the Huskies Michael Penix Jr. expected to be among the contenders.  (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)

No. 10 UW faces early test in Mountain West favorite Boise St.

The Broncos feature a talented backfield and a stingy defense that the Huskies know they can’t take lightly.

FILE -  Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. Washington faces Souther California on Nov. 4, 2023. This could also have an impact on the Heisman Trophy race with USC quarterback Caleb Williams, last year's winner, and the Huskies Michael Penix Jr. expected to be among the contenders.  (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Glacier Peak's Trey Leckner (top left), Stanwood's Viviennet Berrett (top right), Lake Stevens' Bella Christiensen (bottom left) and Snohomish's Kale Hammer (bottom right) are all heading to NCAA D-I schools. (Herald file photos)

Local athletes who have signed to play sports in college

A running list of class of 2023 athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Glacier Peak's Trey Leckner (top left), Stanwood's Viviennet Berrett (top right), Lake Stevens' Bella Christiensen (bottom left) and Snohomish's Kale Hammer (bottom right) are all heading to NCAA D-I schools. (Herald file photos)
The Everett Elite Flag Football 14-under team practices Sunday morning at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington on January 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Roundup: 16-year-old wins ARCA race at Evergreen Speedway

Plus, Markovc doesn’t advance at worlds, GP grad Fifita named to Polynesian watch list and more.

The Everett Elite Flag Football 14-under team practices Sunday morning at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington on January 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Washington running back Cameron Davis tries to get past Colorado defensive back Kaylin Moore during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

UW starting running back Cam Davis out for season with injury

The lower-body injury was sustained late last week, according to coach Kalen DeBoer.

Washington running back Cameron Davis tries to get past Colorado defensive back Kaylin Moore during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Washington athletic director Jen Cohen, left, poses for a photo with Kalen DeBoer, right, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, during a news conference in Seattle, to introduce DeBoer as the new head NCAA college football coach at the University of Washington. DeBoer has spent the past two seasons as head football coach at Fresno State. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

UW AD Jen Cohen leaves for same job at USC

After 25 years at Washington, Cohen will take over the AD job at Southern Cal vacated by the resignation of Mike Bohn.

Washington athletic director Jen Cohen, left, poses for a photo with Kalen DeBoer, right, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, during a news conference in Seattle, to introduce DeBoer as the new head NCAA college football coach at the University of Washington. DeBoer has spent the past two seasons as head football coach at Fresno State. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
FILE - Washington State running back Nakia Watson (25) breaks away from Arizona safety Jaxen Turner in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. Washington State opens their season at Colorado State on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

WSU hopes for stability, success amid wave of change

The Cougars enter their second season under head coach Jake Dickert.

FILE - Washington State running back Nakia Watson (25) breaks away from Arizona safety Jaxen Turner in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. Washington State opens their season at Colorado State on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
FILE - Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) celebrates his touchdown catch against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Washington opens their season at home against Boise State on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

No. 10 UW begins last season in Pac-12 as a contender for league title

Heisman hopeful Michael Penix Jr. leads the Huskies’ potent offense.

FILE - Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) celebrates his touchdown catch against UCLA during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Washington opens their season at home against Boise State on Sept. 2. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck throws in the first half of Georgia’s spring game April 16, 2022, in Athens, Ga. Coach Kirby Smart has made it clear that Carson Beck is the quarterback to beat. (AP Photo/Brett Davis, File)

Georgia No. 1 in AP preseason college football poll

Meanwhile, Washington checks in at No. 10.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck throws in the first half of Georgia’s spring game April 16, 2022, in Athens, Ga. Coach Kirby Smart has made it clear that Carson Beck is the quarterback to beat. (AP Photo/Brett Davis, File)
Washington State wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (88) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Donovan Ollie (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

WSU AD Pat Chun says of Cougars’ future: ‘We’re going to be OK’

Potential options for where Washington State will land begin to emerge, such as a Pac-12/Mountain West merger.

Washington State wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (88) celebrates his touchdown with teammate Donovan Ollie (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Members of the Washington defense, including defensive ends Zion Tupuola-Fetui, left, and Bralen Trice (8), line up for drills during the NCAA college football team's practice Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Can UW have a glory-filled Pac-12 swan song?

In Year 2 of the Kalen DeBoer era and with a Heisman candidate at QB, there seems to be a plausible path to a storybook season.

Members of the Washington defense, including defensive ends Zion Tupuola-Fetui, left, and Bralen Trice (8), line up for drills during the NCAA college football team's practice Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)