The Husky Haul
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Washington Huskies struggling to stop the run through week 9

By Ethan Lee

Oct 12, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs for a 17 yard touchdown run during the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Oct 12, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs for a 17 yard touchdown run during the second quarter against the Washington Huskies at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
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While the Washington Huskies have actually demonstrated a decent defensive effort for much of the season up to this point, things haven’t been perfect in one specific category. In fact, the Washington Huskies currently rank as one of the worst defenses in the Big Ten conference when it comes to this category.

Stopping the run. 

The move into the Big Ten has brought some frustrating results on the defensive side of things and the Huskies are really struggling in their ability to stop the run. There are quite a few things that Steve Belichick’s defense does well, but through eight total games up to this point, the Huskies are allowing opposing defenses to run for nearly 150 yards per game.

They’re near the bottom of the Big Ten in this regard. They absolutely have to do better here, but there’s probably not an easy fix that can be made any time soon. 

Given that they come in at No. 14 among Big Ten teams, they’re solidly in the bottom third of their new conference home when it comes to shutting down opposing running games.

Big Ten rush defense: Where do the Washington Huskies rank in allowing rushing yards per game?

  • Indiana Hoosiers (86.1 yards per game)
  • Ohio State Buckeyes (91.3 yards per game)
  • Penn State Nittany Lions (93.0 yards per game)
  • Nebraska Cornhuskers (98.0 yards per game)
  • UCLA Bruins (98.6 yards per game)
  • Michigan Wolverines (101 yards per game)
  • Iowa Hawkeyes (104.1 yards per game)
  • Maryland Terrapins (105.2 yards per game)
  • Northwestern Wildcats (115.6 yards per game)
  • Minnesota Golden Gophers (120.4 yards per game)
  • Oregon Ducks (123.5 yards per game)
  • Michigan State Spartans (129.6 yards per game)
  • USC Trojans (136 yards per game)
  • Wisconsin Badgers (144 yards per game)
  • Washington Huskies (148.9 yards per game)
  • Illinois Fighting Illini (154.8 yards per game)
  • Rutgers Scarlet Knights (165.9 yards per game)
  • Purdue Boilermakers (214.9 yards per game)

There’s a rather significant gap between the top teams in the Big Ten and the bottom teams in the Big Ten. And it’s such a shame that Washington is where it is right now. There are plenty of things that this defense does well, but they've been gashed for a ton of rushing yards as of late. And that’s not good.

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