Coleman: βI just want to winβ
November 25, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Washington State was looking for a spark, something that would help the No. 23 Cougars begin to fight their way back into an Apple Cup matchup with Washington.
Jamal Morrow appeared to have provided that boost in the second quarter when he returned a punt 64 yards.
However, before he could cross the goal line and score a momentum-changing touchdown, Lavon Coleman made a tackle that kept the Cougars out of the end zone. If fact, after a fourth-down stop, Washington State wouldn't even score on a drive that started on the Huskies' 6-yard line.
The junior's effort on special teams and offense helped No. 5 Washington take down its cross-state rival, 45-17, at Martin Stadium.
"All I know is they double-teamed me and when I looked up he was cutting across the field," Coleman said. "I was like, 'there he goes, that one-on-one moment.' I wasn't going to get outrun on special team, so I tracked him down. I'm not trying to end up on somebody's highlight film."
Coleman also made the tackle during another big return earlier in the game. For the running back, contributing on special teams is just as important and making plays with the ball in his hands.
"It's a sacrifice for your teammates," he said. "I'll do anything for those guys in there. If it involves special teams, if it involves laying it on line, I'm down for that. I'll ride for them, because I know they'd do the same for me."
When he wasn't making tackles, he was leading the Huskies in rushing, picking up 82 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Β
"It means a lot, but at the end of the day, this whole season, I've never really thought of it being about me," Coleman said. "I just take advantage of the opportunities I get and go with the flow."
But Coleman said he didn't even need to touch the ball in Friday's win. All he cared about was maintaining his unblemished record β he's 4-0 counting his redshirt season β against the Cougars. Β
"I just want to win," he said. "No matter what the outcome is, how many yards I get, what my carries are, I just want to win."
Coleman might not care about how many carries he gets, but when he's in the game, he finds a way to make something happen.
"When I see 22 out there, he's a beast," left tackle Trey Adams said. "He runs the ball downhill for sure. It's fun to watch him progress. He's done a really good job this year."Β
