Odunze Cracks 1,000 Yards For Second Straight Season
Wide receiver Rome Odunze caught just 3 passes on Saturday, but he became just the second Washington wide receiver to reach 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons — joining Reggie Williams, who did it three times in 2001-03.
Odunze was targeted 11 times and came up with 111 yards and 2 scores in Washington's 35-28 win over the No. 13 Utah Utes, giving him an even 1,100 yards this season, on the heels of his 1,145 in 2022. The junior from Las Vegas has 2,732 career yards, leaving him third on the all-time list behind Williams (3,598) and Jermaine Kearse (2,871 in 2009-11).
Utah's secondary entered the game with the Pac-12's best pass defense, allowing 201 yards per outing through the air, but that didn't stop offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb from attacking it relentlessly.
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw the ball 42 times on Saturday and looked to his favorite target whenever he needed a big play, including on the eventual game-winning 33-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
After the game, coach Kalen DeBoer said those clutch plays aren't a surprise to anyone on his coaching staff at this point.
"He made a couple of big plays out there today," DeBoer said after the game. "We've all grown accustomed to those not surprising us, Mike dials them up and he gets it done."
Including his rushing and punt return scores from earlier in the season, Odunze tied running back Dillon Johnson for the team lead in touchdowns with 11. DeBoer also had high praise for the impact Odunze has made on his team this year that won't show up on the stat sheet.
"He deserves everything he gets," the coach said. "He's the ultimate team player; it's not about the yards it's about getting the wins. He's an emotional leader for us and does some amazing things physically, whether it be blocking for other guys or catching the ball. He'll do whatever it takes."
Odunze wasn't available for comment after the game, because on the heels of being the first UW receiver in two decades to reach 1,000 yards in back-to-back years, the Washington co-captain spent over 30 minutes on the field signing autographs for fans.
"Thousand yards two years in a row, that's pretty special," DeBoer said. "That's consistency at a really high level."
Odunze saw a lot of attention from Utah's secondary, but got some reinforcements on Saturday. Wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who crossed the 1,000-yard mark with Odunze in 2022, returned to action against the Utes.
While he didn't receive any targets from Penix, his availability is a great sign for Washington's passing offense moving forward.
With just two games remaining in the regular season, Odunze continues to make his case to be the first Husky receiver to win the coveted Biletnikoff Award.
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