Washington Looks To Balance Its Offensive Approach

Going into their matchup with Michigan State, the Huskies need to establish the run.

Through the first two games of the year, Washington notably has had trouble running the ball. The Huskies rank 114th in the country in both rushing yards and rushing yards per game, gaining 187 and averaging 93.5 so far this year.

Of those 187 yards, running backs have accounted for 116 of them with receivers and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. accumulating the rest. 

After losing Cameron Davis to injury at the end of fall camp, the coaching staff is still searching for someone to step up and take the majority of reps at the running-back position.

Against Boise State and Tulsa, the coaching staff took the running back-by-committee approach, giving at least five carries to four different backs: Sam Adams II, Daniyel Ngata, Dillon Johnson and Will Nixon.

Johnson missed the Tulsa game because of a lingering knee injury, but the staff is hoping to have him back when the Huskies take on Michigan State this weekend in East Lansing. If the Mississippi State transfer is able to suit up and play, this could be the first game of the year where the committee could turn into a two-man backfield.

Nixon has been the most effective back for Washington early on, taking a team-high 12 rushing attempts for 71 yards, good for an average of six yards per carry. The Nebraska transfer has provided a burst out of the backfield and, combined with Johnson, could end up as the best choice for the Huskies in the backfield.

Johnson didn't look particularly explosive in his first game out with seven carries for 12 yards and a touchdown against Boise State. If he's healthy, the Husky rushing attack could take a big step forward against the Spartans.

While Penix and the Washington passing attack has been one of the country's best, a balanced offense would help take some stress off the talented quarterback.

The Huskies finished 69th overall nationally in rushing offense in 2022 and, if the running backs can find a way to match that number in 2023, Washington's offense could end up as one of the country's best by the end of the season.

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