Washington failed on a 2-point conversion with nine seconds left in regulation and lost the Sun Bowl 35-34 to Louisville on Tuesday.
The Huskies scored a touchdown on fourth-and-1 on a faded pass from Demond Williams to Giles Jackson in the back right corner of the end zone.
Huskies coach Jedd Fisch opted to bet two and win, rather than score the extra point to tie the game. However, Williams’ pass to Jeremiah Hunter in the same corner on an out route was batted away by Louisville’s Antonio Watts.
Washington almost recovered an attempted onside kick with two seconds remaining, but the ball went out of bounds. Cardinals quarterback Harrison Bailey took a knee on the final play to run out the clock.
Washington’s final touchdown drive covered 62 yards in 11 plays after the Huskies’ defense forced Louisville to punt with 2:45 left in regulation. Williams threw incomplete on fourth-and-goal from the Louisville 10-yard line, but a pass interference penalty on Rae’mon Mosby gave the Huskies a first down at the 2-yard line and provided another opportunity to tie the score.
On the Huskies’ previous possession, the offense went 97 yards in 13 plays, highlighted by a 31-yard pass from Williams to Jackson for a touchdown.
Williams finished with 374 passing yards with four touchdowns and one interception, completing 26 of 32 passes. He also led the Huskies with 48 rushing yards on 20 carries. Jackson made 11 receptions for 161 yards and four touchdowns. Hunter added three receptions for 78 yards. Washington finished the season with a 6-7 record.
The two teams were tied 21-21 at halftime before Louisville scored the next two touchdowns. The Cardinals took a 35-21 lead with two minutes left in the third quarter on a 54-yard run by Duke Watson, followed by an 8-yard score by Caullin Lacy. Louisville only managed two first downs on its final two possessions, allowing Washington to rally.
Bailey completed 16 of 25 passes for three touchdowns and 164 yards for the Cardinals, who finished their season 9-4. Isaac Brown rushed for 99 yards on 18 carries, while Watson had 83 yards on 10 carries. Chris Bell had six receptions for 60 yards.