If history is an indicator of what to expect in regards to Michael Penix Jr.’s start in the Atlanta Falcons’ season opener, his college career may be considered a mixed bag, however the final two seasons give reason for optimism for the second-year quarterback despite not taking a preseason snap.
“Twice in his college career he started against power five teams,” 92-9 The Game’s Carl Dukes said as he and cohost Mike Bell discussed the Falcons’ decision to keep Penix Jr. off the field during their preseason games, to which the signal caller likened to college in the sense of not having any preseason games at all before the season gets underway.
“One was Penn State in 2020 and then one was Iowa in 2021. Ironically, he struggled in both of those starts,” Dukes continued, noting Penix Jr.
finishing his 2020 start completing 19 of his 36 pass attempts for 170 yards, one touchdown and one interception, while his 2021 start ended with him completing 14 of his 31 pass attempts for 156 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.
And while the season starts for Penix Jr. early in his college career are not impressive, the guys note the progression of the Falcons’ quarterback was evident in his final years as his 2022 start at Washington against Kent State saw him throw for 345 yards and four touchdowns and his 2023 start against Boise State ended with him completing 29 of 40 passes for 450 yards and five touchdowns.
“Michael Penix (Jr.) in these week one games, if you want to know, that’s what it’s looked like. It’s been okay early in his career at Indiana, it got better at Washington because he had a better team, but if you’re saying, ‘does this translate to the NFL? Mike, I don’t know,” Dukes said as he explained why he still has reservation in regards to how well Penix Jr. will play in the season opener.