Washington football: Is the lack of a run game a concern?

One of the few concerns for Washington football so far this season revolves around the run game.

Washington football’s running backs have just 111 rushing yards on 31 carries in two games this season. That’s 32 carries and 233 rushing yards less than the first two games of last season. Why we are seeing such a decline in the run game?

The Huskies’ passing game is top-tier and one of the best in college football. That being said it’s probably not the best option to believe you can beat everybody with Michael Penix Jr. slinging it all game, despite the talents he possesses. Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb know this, but why have they leaned on the passing game so much?

Could it be the fact that the fewer run plays they use early, the less film opposing teams have? Yes, the run game looks bad on paper so it feels like Washington has avoided using it. However, despite other RBs struggling, Will Nixon has averaged 6.5 yards from 12 carries, which is not a bad going. Nixon was moving the ball well enough to keep feeding him it if Grubb wanted to. It seems there is a purpose to it all.

Ryan Grubb has thrown up some interesting plays, utilizing wide receivers in a few different ways. Most have been very effective and more frequent than what we saw last season inside two games. It feels like Grubb is setting everything up to keep future opponents guessing. They know they can do a lot with the passing game and even when the opposition knows it’s coming it’s hard to stop.

This means we might see more of the run game in action on Saturday, September 16th, against Michigan State, especially if the passing game is not in full swing. When Dillon Johnson shakes off the rust, he and Nixon could be a deadly duo.

I believe the time is not now to panic. If the Huskies get through Michigan State, Cal, and Arizona and are still having this conversation, maybe then the button can be pressed.