SEATTLE — University of Washington receiver Rome Odunze may own the all-time yardage record for UW receivers, but the touchdown title remains safely in the reliable hands of Mario Bailey.
Bailey played for the Huskies the last time they won a national title, in January of 1992, after beating the Michigan Wolverines.
The Huskies play the Wolverines for the national title Monday night in Houston.
Bailey said other than being undefeated, he does not see many similarities between the two UW teams.
“They have a great group of receivers. Their receiving corps is better than ours. So, offensively, they're a better offense. Defensively, of course, we're a better defense,” said Bailey.
Bailey is currently the Seahawks' vice president of community engagement and legends and does radio commentary on the Huskies.
Bailey holds the records for career touchdowns (30) and touchdowns in a single season (1991, 18).
UW standout receiver Rome Odunze has 24 career touchdowns, with 13 so far in the current season.
Bailey called Rome Odunze the best receiver in the country.
Who does he think was better? Bailey said it’s hard to make a comparison.
“You're throwing the ball 40 times a game, we were throwing the ball 20 times a game,” said Bailey, “I have 18 touchdowns in, and I didn't play half the time. You’re there playing the entire time; we could go on and on, but it is what it is: two great receivers.”
Bailey is best remembered for doing the Heisman Trophy pose following a touchdown late in the 1992 Rose Bowl, sealing the victory for Washington.
Bailey, who said Husky quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. deserved the Heisman, thinks Penix should recreate Bailey’s 1992 pose if the moment presents itself Monday night.
”Mike doesn't have to do that, winning the title is enough,” said Bailey. “But it would be fun. Because of what the history is of us in Michigan and what he's been through. So kind of be like, poetic justice.”
As far as which team would win in a battle between the 1991 Huskies and today’s?
“I just could never say any team is going to beat the team that I played on, our team,” said Bailey, “Maybe end in a tie or something?”