Kalen DeBoer explains importance of establishing the run vs. Oregon

In the Pac-12 Championship Game against Oregon, Washington was able to establish the run and used it effectively throughout the game, but especially in the fourth quarter. That was something that head coach Kalen DeBoer knew needed to happen.

DeBoer explained that getting Dillon Johnson going on the ground has been important to Washington for a while now and it showed up against Oregon.

“That’s been a work in progress the second half of the season,” Kalen DeBoer said. “D.J., along with the offensive line, it’s important for us if we want to win a championship, Pac-12 Championship, national championship, for us to have that balance, the ability to be balanced.”

During the Pac-12 Championship Game, Dillon Brooks rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He was, in many ways, the star of the game for the Huskies.

“If a team has taken Michael [Penix] and the receiving core away, to be able to move the chains, get those hard yards, we’re going to be critical,” DeBoer said.

“We’ve continued to work on it, plug away. That was a big deal a big part of the game. Especially the way we finished it off there at the very end, the last drive.”

Even amid the incredible ground game from Washington and Dillon Johnson in particular, the Pac-12 Championship Game was a Heisman moment for Michael Penix Jr. Now, he’s on his way to New York City with a chance to win the prestigious award.

“It’s just a blessing to be able to be in that talk. For me, it was always the main thing was to win. To be able to do that today on a stage like this? It’s incredible. I’m going to always savor this moment,” Penix said. “I’m just super excited. Right now? I’m just really living in this moment. Whatever happens come next weekend is going to happen. It’s already written.”

Kalen DeBoer shares feelings of being part of final Pac-12 game

The Pac-12 Championship Game was the last game for the Pac-12 in a model that looks even somewhat familiar. For Kalen DeBoer, it was a special thing to be a part of.

“I think probably two things, just the historic tradition of what this conference has done, the great teams throughout all the years. We’ve had many of ’em at U-Dub, historic moments there. Conference championships, national championships,” DeBoer said.

“It is sad to see it happen, that be the last football game. But I think the other part is, just understanding how strong the conference was this year. There were eight teams at one point I believe that were ranked in the top 25. We played the best ones. We played one of ’em twice.”