Gold Rush! Washington Football ground game dominates again
By Bret Stuter
The last gold rush happened in Washington State in 1873. But today is a different gold rush of sorts, The Washington Football team intends to strike gold by emphasizing their underused running attack
The Washington Football team found plenty of points through the air in the first three games of the season. But when the team entered the Pac-12 portion of the schedule, the ground game suddenly found new life. Now, the ground game looks to dominate another opponent, and on paper, this one is less formidable than the last. But looks can be deceiving, particularly when the Huskies are heavily favored to do just that: Dominate.
On one hand, it’s never a good idea to focus upon a single aspect of the Washington Football strategy. Time and time again, head coach Chris Petersen has proven he can not only outthink the opposing team coaching staff, but he outthinks the fans and pundits who analyze the game. So holding any part of the Washington Huskies offense to a high bar is a serious exercise of futility and frustration.
Change is blowing in the wind
But there are signs which indicate some measure of predictability. For starters, the ease by which the Washington running game demolished a very motivated defense of the Colorado Buffalo. The Huskies rushed for 254 yards, which came in at nearly the 389 yards rushed in the first three games combined.
I, for one, do not think that is any accident.
A rushing offense is physically more demanding. But it results in draining a defense of it’s willpower. On one hand, it dominates the defense physically and mentally. On the other hand, it sends a message to the rest of the Pac-12: We will run the ball down your throat.
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Offensive line is stacked, and deep
The Washington offensive line has evolved so far this year. But the lineup of right tackle Kaleb McGary, right guard Nick Harris, center Coleman Shelton, left guard Jesse Sosebee, and left tackle Trey Adams appears to work very well. Of the group, only Shelton is a senior. There is the risk that left tackle Trey Adams may be tempted to throw his hat into the ring for the 2018 NFL Draft as well.
As colder weather starts to close in, that running game begins to grow in importance. Cold weather favors big bodies and running backs.
Take the running game out for a spin
The Colorado game featured the dazzling darts of dominating dasher Myles Gaskin. But that is just his first game as the featured offensive back. And the Huskies have more where that came from.
Freshman Salvon Ahmed appears poised to make a major contribution on offense soon as well. As wide receiver Chico McClatcher was lost for the season due to a broken ankle, Coach Petersen mentioned Ahmed’s name as a possible option in the passing game.
Even Lavon Coleman is a very dangerous weapon. The 5-foot-11 235 pound power back sat a week due to concussion protocol. But now he has fresh legs, and he’s eager to add to his 24 carries for 86 yards and one touchdown.
Next: 5 things to watch for as Washington Football visits Oregon State
Oregon State wants to win. And to do so, they will try to establish Ryan Nall early. But it would surprise nobody if Coach Petersen one ups the Beavers on Saturday, September 30. The gold rush happened 134 years ago in Washington. But tomorrow, the Washington Football team will try to strike gold with their running game.