Kalen DeBoer explains Dillon Johnson's importance to Washington's undefeated season

Washington defeated Oregon 34-31 to win the 2023 Pac-12 Championship and become the first team to send themselves to the College Football Playoff. According to head coach Kalen DeBoer, that win wouldn’t have been possible without tailback Dillon Johnson.

Johnson not only ended the game with a first down run in the game’s final minute, but he finished the game as Washington’s most impactful player with 28 carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

“[He helps us] find the ability to be balanced when teams forced us to run the football,” DeBoer said on ESPN’s College GameDay. “The offensive line and DJ worked hand-in-hand and a lot of confidence each other. He’s just been a workhorse. He’s got the explosive plays with those hard yards, he find a ways to get in the end zone, move the chains on on third and short, fourth and short. He’s done it consistently here for the last five weeks.”

It all started with a season-high four-touchdown, 256-yard rushing performance in the win vs. USC. Including that game, Johnson has totaled 683 yards and eight touchdowns in the last five weeks. Compared to the first seven weeks of the season, Johnson out-gained himself by 253 yards over that stretch having came into the USC game at the time with 430 yards to his credit on the season.

Now, he heads into the College Football Playoff totaling 201 carries for 1,113 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He has also contributed 148 yards on the receiving end of things as well.

Husky star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was also his usual self, although did not find the end zone as much as usual. Completing 27 of 39 passing attempts on the day, Penix threw for 319 yards to go with one touchdown and an interception. Even in the passing game — Johnson was also given the opportunity to throw a touchdown pass as well, and completed both of his passing attempts for five yards and a score as DeBoer pulled out all of the stop in an attempt to down the Ducks.

It worked out, and Washington is headed to the College Football Playoff for the second time in program history. Now, the Huskies await the fates of the rest of the field as conference championship Saturday ensues. The final field of four will be settled when the committee reveals its rankings at Noon ET on Sunday.