After Big Day, Coleman Thanks βThe Guys Up Frontβ
September 25, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
After stepping up when Washington needed a boost on offense, it would be understandable if Lavon Coleman took a minute to take some credit after rushing for 181 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
It would be understandable if he spent some time soaking up a moment that included 55-yard touchdown run that helped the Huskies secure a 35-28 win at Arizona on Saturday.
But, while it would be understandable, that's not the way the running back reacted to his big day on a night the program securing their first win in the state of Arizona since 2006.
Instead of savoring his success, he praised his teammates.
"I really want to thank the guys up front," he said. "I really want to thank those perimeter guys and the coaches for believing in me. I feel like, as a team, we did everything we could and came out with a victory."
Coleman has been patiently waiting for his breakout game, but even after it was over, he simply smiled and credited the guys around him.
"I've been waiting a while," he said, "and it feels good. It feels good to run behind those guys, get the feeling back of being able to carry the ball."
In a game where Washington rushed for 352 yards as a team β Myles Gaskin added 85 and John Ross had a 32-yard touchdown run β Coleman said all he had to do was "read the blocks."
The offensive line took care of the rest. Β
Even after he gave the Huskies the lead with less than four minutes to play in the game, his first thought after crossing the goal line had nothing to do with the individual accomplishment.
"I felt like turning around and hugging my team," he said. "That's what it's all about, thanking those guys for allowing me to have the opportunity to score."
When asked if he thought his score was going to secure the win, Coleman shrugged. He knew Arizona wasn't going to go quietly.
"You always expect a fourth-quarter fight," he said. "This is the Pac-12. It's one of the best conferences in the nation. You just kind of look at your guys and buckle down. It feels good to take a breath, but you know something is coming. You've always got to be ready for it. "
In a game that required a little extra football, the Huskies were ready find a way to finish. But, while the win is nice, the team now faces a short week with Stanford headed to Seattle on Friday.
"It feels good, but I really feel like we need to go back on Monday and get ready," he said. "The aspirations and goals we have, we're going to push harder and be better the next game against Stanford. Everybody is going to go back to the drawing board, fix what they did on film and get ready."
And before heading back to the locker room to shower and change, he added, "We're going to play better."Β
