The 2024 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship was a historic game between the University of Michigan (Michigan) and the University of Washington (Washington) at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Washington played their last game as a Pac-12 team January 8 and will join Michigan in the Big-10 conference next football season. Washington left the Pac-12 because of “Kliavkoff and the Pac-12 leadership’s inability to land a media rights contract competitive with its Power Five counterparts,” according to cbsnews.com. Washington’s transition to the Big-10 indicates the change in college football in recent years. College football became popularized by conference tradition and pride for many decades, but the commercialization has taken away from the regional significance of the sport, according to usatoday.com. On Monday night, Michigan ended up on top with a 34-13 win over Washington.
The University of Michigan defeated the University of Alabama 27-20 in the Rose Bowl January 1. Mr. Blake Corum, senior running back, and Mr. J.J. McCarthey, junior quarterback, led the team to a victorious game. Mr. Corum recorded 83 yards and scored a touchdown in overtime against Alabama, breaking the school record for career rushing touchdowns, according to foxsports.com. Mr. McCarthey led his team with 221 passing yards and three touchdowns, winning Offensive Player of the Game, according to espn.com.
Mr. Jim Harbaugh, Michigan head coach, commented on Mr. McCarthey’s performance. He noted the significant impact of his game on Michigan’s football program.
“This is the greatest quarterback in University of Michigan college football history,” Mr. Harbaugh said, according to espn.com. “Got a long way to go […,] but in a college career there’s been nobody at Michigan better than J.J.”
In order to secure their spot in the final, Washington defeated the University of Texas at Austin 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl January 1. Mr. Michael Penix Jr., senior quarterback, led the team to triumph. He completed 430 yards and made two touchdown passes, according to nbcnews.com.
Mr. Kalen Deboer, the Washington football head coach, commented on his team’s determination and immense effort. He highlighted their versatility, strength, and ability to find a way to win.
“You love seeing a team come through and finding a way to win,” Mr. Deboer said, according to espn.com. “The defense had to stay out there and play every down until the very end. So proud of the resiliency and finding another way to win a football game.”
Senior Amanda Ciminello, co-head of the Sports Broadcasting Club at Sacred Heart Greenwich, discussed her anticipation for the championship game. She commented on the Michigan football program and the success of their season.
“I watched the semi-final game last weekend, and I am definitely looking forward to the game tonight, especially because of J.J. McCarthy’s great story,” Amanda said. “Seeing how they beat Alabama last weekend and were seen as the underdog, I think it will be a really good game.”
The championship game allowed for Michigan to shine, taking away the victory with a 34-13 win. In the first quarter, Michigan quickly took advantage of getting the ball first, and the team’s running back Mr. Donovan Edwards rushed for 41 yards to put the team up 7-0.
Washington responded by only putting up a field goal, making the score 7-3 and suffering a big loss offensively due to running back Mr. Dillon Johnson’s recurring injury, according to si.com. Despite heading into the championship game battling injury, Mr. Johnson described the game as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” and felt obligated to help his team, according to nypost.com.
Unfortunately, Mr. Johnson headed to the injury tent early in the game. He commented on the frustration of his injury and his disappointment at not being able to play to his full potential.
“The only good thing working was my left ankle, and the first play of the game, I got a high ankle sprain and there’s not really much I could really do,” Mr. Johnson said, according to clutchpoints.com.
Michigan’s second possession got off to a quick start, with Mr. Rowan Wilson making a big 37-yard catch. Mr. Donovan Edwards continued the momentum with a 46-yard rushing touchdown, putting Michigan up 14-3.
The transition into the second quarter looked promising for Michigan, as Mr. James Turner completed a 32-yard field goal to put them up 17-3. Michigan and Washington went back and forth until the final minute of the second quarter, Mr. Jalen McMillan made a three-yard catch for a touchdown to close the gap and get the score to 17-10.
The momentum looked like it was on Washington’s side following the first half, however Mr. Penix Jr. threw his first pass right to Michigan defensive back Mr. Will Johnson on the 32-yard line, according to si.com. Michigan held Washington to a field goal and went up 20-10. Washington responded with a field goal, keeping the score within a touchdown at 20-13.
After only producing a field goal in the third quarter, the fourth quarter proved to be a critical point for Michigan in shifting their momentum and improving their offensive play. Mr. Colston Loveland made a 41-yard reception to regain Michigan’s momentum. Michigan capitalized on this big catch when Mr. Corum rushed 12 yards to the end zone to put Michigan up 27-13. Washington got the ball back but, Mr. Penix Jr. threw an interception to Mr. Mike Sainristil. Mr. Sinristil made an 81-yard return to Washington’s eight-yard line. Mr. Corum ran the ball into the end zone to put Michigan up 34-13 with less than four minutes in the fourth quarter. Michigan stopped Washington on their final drive on fourth down and cemented their victory as national champions for the first time since their last national title in the 1997 through 1998 season.
After Michigan’s victory, Mr. Harbaugh commented on how the program came together through hard work to achieve its goal. He emphasized the team’s modest attitude and the age-old values that contributed to their success.
“Nothing fancy here,” Mr. Harbaugh said, according to usatoday.com. “There was nothing surprising. It was just good old-fashioned teamwork, good old-fashioned hard work by these players and these coaches, and none of us are up here taking a deep, long bow because we know this was just good old-fashioned teamwork.”
Featured Image by Michaela White ’26
