How Odunze and ‘The Takers’ helped secure a national title trip for Huskies

NEW ORLEANS — A few minutes before 1 a.m. Tuesday, UW athletic director Troy Dannen laughed with coach Kalen DeBoer’s family — wife Nicole and daughters Alexis and Avery — as they walked across the field inside an eerily empty Superdome. Purple confetti and streamers were strewn across the turf, as stray members of the Texas band tossed a football in the opposite end zone.

Bevo XV — the Longhorns’ signature steer and live mascot — was still standing, surrounded by handlers, long after his burnt orange legion left.

Which is when Washington’s record-breaking wide receiver emerged from the far tunnel, holding a big blue sign bearing his name:

ROME ODUNZE

Odunze, of course, didn’t need an introduction. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound king of contested catches had just skewered Texas’ secondary on a national stage.

In No. 2 Washington’s 37-31 Sugar Bowl win, Odunze predictably dominated — posting six catches for 125 yards. In doing so, he set UW’s single season receiving record, eclipsing Reggie Williams’ 1,454 yards in 2002. After it ended, he took a turn conducting the Husky marching band, before sweeping stray streamers into his Sugar Bowl champions hat to take home for posterity.

sugar bowl coverage Washington 37, Texas 31

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“It’s a special moment,” said Odunze, who compiled 87 catches for 1,553 yards and 15 touchdowns in 14 games this fall (and snagged the sign from UW’s media day). “I’m proud of all of these boys, our fans, our family and friends in the stands. We enjoyed that moment together. It’s come with a lot of hard work and perseverance through adversity. It’s awesome. But we know the job’s not done, so it’s a little bittersweet.”

Indeed, the job’s not done — and No. 2 Washington (14-0) will meet No. 1 Michigan (14-0) in the national championship game in Houston next Monday.

But don’t disregard what Odunze and Co. did in the Superdome. Against the Longhorns’ besieged secondary, UW wide receivers Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillan and Germie Bernard excelled — collecting 19 catches on 20 targets for 353 yards and two touchdowns.

“That’s why we call ourselves the takers: because regardless of what you throw at us, we believe we can go get it,” Odunze said. “When you have Mike [Penix Jr. at quarterback] back there, when you have the Joe Moore Award winners [on the offensive line], it makes it easier to go get it done.”

UW got it done.

But the job isn’t done.

Odunze’s night wasn’t over, either.

“I’ve got to celebrate a little bit — maybe hit Bourbon Street, who knows, just to celebrate with my guys and soak in the moment,” said Odunze, who flew back to Seattle with his teammates Tuesday morning. “But I’m tired. So I’m going to go take a shower, look at my phone, text my family and friends, meet up with them and enjoy the moment.”