UW’s running backs had zero receiving TDs in 2021. That’ll change in DeBoer’s offense
There’s no shortage of underwhelming stats to pluck from the 2021 UW offense. The Huskies, by most measures, were abysmal under former head coach Jimmy Lake and offensive coordinator John Donovan. UW ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in total yards per game, and ninth in points per game.
In the season opener at Husky Stadium, UW managed just seven points against Montana, an FCS opponent from the Big Sky. In a game televised on ABC a week later, the Huskies mustered just 10 points in a 31-10 loss. Some weeks were better than others, but the last four games of the season — all losses — were indicative of just how much the offense struggled: A 26-16 loss to Oregon, 35-30 loss to Arizona State, 20-17 loss to Colorado and a 40-13 loss to Washington State in the Apple Cup, in Seattle.
Washington’s offense was considered predictable, stagnant and easy to defend against. Lake, who infamously showed up to a press conference wearing a hat with the text “Run the damn ball” scrawled across it in all capital letters, seemed hellbent on running his tailbacks between the tackles, even when it was clear it wasn’t working.
The offensive philosophy felt stuck in the past in an era of wide-open, creative offenses in college football. The message wasn’t resonating with recruits, either — Steilacoom superstar receiver Emeka Egbuka and Eastside Catholic receiver Gee Scott Jr. both picked Ohio State over offers from the hometown Huskies, notably.
One glaring stat from the 2021 season, which ultimately saw Lake fired: None of UW’s top four running backs had a receiving touchdown last season. Sean McGrew, Cameron Davis, Kamari Pleasant and Richard Newton all went through the campaign without finding the end zone in the passing game.
Expect that to change under Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. At Fresno State last year, the team’s top two running backs, Ronnie Rivers and Jordan Mims, combined for six receiving touchdowns in addition to 11 rushing touchdowns. Receiver Jalen Cropper, who was quarterback Jake Haener’s top option with 11 receiving touchdowns, also had a pair of rushing touchdowns.
Utilizing running backs out of the backfield will be a key in the new staff’s offense.
“We definitely would expect a lot more than (zero receiving touchdowns for running backs),” DeBoer said after practice at Husky Stadium on Friday. “I’ve had it where the running backs, maybe not No. 2, but close to it in receptions. Not in yards, because some of them might be check downs and things like that, but usually No. 3 or 4 in the receptions list.”
That’s part of DeBoer’s vision for the offense, getting the ball in the hands of playmakers in space and making plays harder for defenses to diagnose.
“It might be screens, but a lot of just putting pressure on guys and finding matchups where they’re out of the backfield running routes,” DeBoer said. “Line them up in empty, motion them out of the backfield, just putting a lot of pressure on defenses to wonder what’s coming next. The running back is a huge part of that, not just in the run game, but in the pass game.”
DeBoer and his staff have already been active in the transfer market. The most desirable trait seems to be versatility. Running back Aaron Dumas, who is already on campus, led New Mexico in rushing last season with 658 yards on 136 carries over 11 games. His season-best actually came against DeBoer and Fresno State, when he rushed for 143 yards on 21 carries. The Huskies have also added Nebraska’s Will Nixon — who is listed as a running back/wide receiver — and Virginia grad transfer Wayne Taulapapa.
Versatility, to DeBoer, doesn’t just mean the ability to run and catch passes. It includes blocking, too, and having a variety of backs with different body types and skillsets to deploy in different situations on the field and on special teams.
“I think if you look at the guys that have been successful in our offense, it’s guys that have the ability to catch and do some things in space, is really important,” DeBoer said. “That’s what you want out of tailbacks. I also know you need to have multiple types of guys, too, because there’s going to be hard yards that you have to earn in the red zone down at the goal line.
“Having guys — just saying, ‘Hey, we need versatile guys,’ — people think it’s the run around guys and things like that. That’s not necessarily the case. We need all different types because you’ve gotta use all of them.”
UW’s practice at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23 will be open to the public at Husky Stadium. Admission is free. The Huskies will close spring camp with the annual spring game, or “Spring Preview,” on Saturday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m. The event is open to all fans, free of charge, and will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.
