Eastern Washington quarterback Nate Bell leads his team in rushing attempts, rushing yards, *and* rushing touchdowns heading into Week 3. Seriously. The redshirt junior has carried the ball 40 times for 159 yards and punched in 4 scores already this season, making him not just a dual threat, but basically the *only* ground threat for the Eagles. Our Huskies are hosting EWU for their final non-conference tune-up, and you can bet Mike Macdonald’s defensive staff is watching those numbers super close.
The “Fix the Run Game” Plan That’s Not Quite There
Last season, Eastern Washington’s offense was sputtering, averaging just 23.4 points per game, which was fourth-fewest in the Big Sky. Head coach Aaron Best publicly stated his priority was fixing the run game and creating more explosive plays this fall. The numbers show a bump in scoring to 28.0 points per game, but the run game “fix” looks a lot like “give the ball to the QB.” Bell, with his 4 rushing touchdowns and 159 yards, is carrying the load. Remember, he racked up a career-high 175 rushing yards in a single win last season, proving he can truly hurt a defense with his legs. The article even mentioned he’s the owner of the “longest QB sneak I’ve ever seen.”
The Eagles have running backs Malik Dotson and Kevin Allen III, but they haven’t found their rhythm. Dotson, back after a Week 1 injury ended his 2025 season, is only averaging 3.3 yards per carry this year with one touchdown, a significant drop from his 2024 health. Allen III has flashed explosiveness but has a meager 16 carries for 66 total yards through three games. Coach Best wants this duo to carry the run game, but so far, it’s a work in progress, and Bell remains the primary engine on the ground. EWU is still throwing it more than running it, with 38.7 pass attempts per game compared to 34.3 rush attempts.
Offensive Line is a Strength, Passing Game Spreads it Out
While the run game is a Bell-heavy affair, Eastern Washington’s offensive line returns most of its rotation and is probably their best offensive asset. Redshirt sophomores Mark Johnson and Gavin Allen both started as true freshmen. Allen in particular has beefed up to 280 pounds after converting from tight end. That kind of continuity up front could definitely give Bell a pocket to work from and give the skill positions a chance to develop.
The Eagles, under second-year offensive coordinator Marc Anderson, run a pass-first, spread system. They’re averaging 260.3 passing yards per game. Wesley Garrett leads the team with 235 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Drew Carlson, a transfer, handles most of the short stuff underneath. Jaxon Branch, who had a ton of hype, has carved out a role as the third option with 9 receptions and 2 touchdowns. They spread the ball around rather than focusing on a single target, which can make them tricky to defend if Bell gets time.
Washington needs to be absolutely dialed in for this Week 3 matchup. It’s the final non-conference tune-up before Big Ten play kicks off, and it’s all about cleaning things up. Keep Bell from running wild and make those other running backs prove they can move the chains. We want our Huskies sharpened and ready to tear into Big Ten competition.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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