College football players finding out they earned a scholarship are always delightfully heartwarming moments, and Washington kicker Grady Gross’ post-game moment Saturday was no different.
The 2023 Apple Cup between undefeated No. 4 Washington and Washington State was a close one with neither team having more than a one-score lead at any point. It came down to the final seconds and looked like it might go to overtime with both teams tied at 21 and Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. taking a sack on second-and-10 with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Enter Gross, who kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired to save his team’s undefeated season in a nail-biting moment. It was so intense Penix couldn’t even bring himself to watch his team claim a 24-21 victory.
THE HUSKIES HANG ON@UW_Football hits the 42-yard field goal to win it in the final seconds 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0OE6bPiqdn
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2023
Despite being Washington’s top kicker, the sophomore apparently wasn’t on scholarship this season. That is, until he learned after his game-winning kick that he earned it.
The moment @gross_grady earned a scholarship 🥹🙌#USvsUS #WinnersWin pic.twitter.com/fqz1Au9Wuq
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 26, 2023
Gross has made 10-of-13 field goals for the Huskies this season, but perhaps the most important was Saturday night at Husky Stadium.
