Next-day afterthoughts on Washington football’s win over Cal

Washington football improving but not forcing the run game

They may have gone up against a defense with a lot of holes when they played Arkansas State but Washington found success in their running game when they didn’t force it and when they utilized the multiple talents of their backfield.

The Huskies rushing stats against Arkansas State:

• Richard Newton: 10 car, 52 yards, 5.2 avg, 1 TD
• Kamari Pleasant: 8 car, 48 yards, 6.0 avg
• Sean McGrew: 6 car, 31 yards, 5.2 avg, 2 TD
• Cameron Davis: 7 car, 27 yards, 3.9 avg

Newton looked to be the consensus number one running back heading into the season and has the most carries leading up to this point.

Newton didn’t play against Cal and was on the sidelines with an injury most likely.

In the first two games of the season, sixth-year senior Sean McGrew was notably absent from the lineup. Head coach Jimmy Lake said it was because reps were earned in practice but that statement just doesn’t settle right with me.

We know what kind of player McGrew is and what he can do. It’s not a coincidence that in these two games where Washington’s offense has performed better, McGrew has been on the field and accounts for four total touchdowns.

Moving forward Washington needs to get McGrew more involved on the offense. He’s a utility player that can be used anywhere and provides the kind of versatility that the Huskies need to get the momentum going.