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Pac-12 Championship Game 2016: 5 most important players

By Nathaniel Reeves

Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) warms up before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Budda Baker (32) warms up before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Lavon Coleman (22) is tackled by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Chad Adams (21) during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Lavon Coleman (22) is tackled by Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Chad Adams (21) during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Lavon Coleman, RB, Washington 

Entering the season, Coleman was a bit of an afterthought in a Huskies offense that had a lot of returning talent at the skill positions. Following a decent season in 2014, Coleman carried the ball just 33 times for 176 yards the next year, as freshman Myles Gaskin emerged as the top running back on the depth chart.

Gaskin carried the ball 227 times as a freshman and figured to get another heavy workload in 2016, leaving Coleman buried on the depth chart again. However, Coleman has emerged as a terrific change-of-pace alternative to Gaskin with 89 carries for 735 yards and six touchdowns.

As Coleman is averaging a whopping 8.3 yards per carry, he has been even more effective than Gaskin in some situations. The junior saved Washington’s season in a hard-fought overtime win against Arizona back in September with 11 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown.

Friday’s game is the type of matchup where the Huskies may be inclined to use Coleman a little more over the elusive Gaskin. At 5’11” and 228 pounds, Coleman is a bruising back who can match the physical play of the Colorado defense.

Browning has the flashier stats, but the Washington run game has been quite effective this season, and Petersen even admits the Huskies may not have gone to the ground enough. Look for Coleman to get at least another 10-12 carries on Friday to compliment Gaskin.

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