Johnson Is Healthy As Can Be, Ready To Carry the Load Against Oregon
When the Washington Huskies take on Oregon in Friday's Pac-12 championship game, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will lean heavily on junior running back Dillon Johnson.
Over the Huskies' four games against ranked opponents this season, Johnson has averaged 21 carries and 137 rushing yards.
In Washington's final road game against the Oregon State Beavers, Grubb said Johnson sustained an injury that caused him to spend time in a walking boot after another player stepped on his foot.
In spite of the injury, Johnson was able to suit up for the Apple Cup and he took 21 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown. Now the junior said he's feeling as healthy as possible ahead of the rematch with the Ducks.
"I'm decent but right now it doesn't matter," Johnson said. "We've got to come into the game and win, and that's all that matters right now."
Johnson certainly has done his part to help the Huskies win big games and knows how much the coaching staff trusts him to pick up yardage in key spots.
He has rushed for 961 yards while the rest of Washington's ball carriers have just 510 yards combined. That shows a high level of trust in the Mississippi State transfer who's handled the bulk of Grubb's run game this season.
"It feels amazing, it's a huge confidence booster for me," Johnson said. "Everybody trusting you, and believing that you will make the right play and you'll do whatever it takes to win, makes the game so much easier."
Now as the Huskies prepare for their fifth battle with a ranked team, Grubb will turn to Johnson early and often against the Ducks.
With one game standing between Washington and a berth in the College Football Playoff, the running back can put a lot of pressure on Oregon's defense with a strong performance.
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