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Nebraska Football: Maurice Washington primed for big second half

By Danny Jaillet

CHAMPAIGN, IL. - SEPTEMBER 21: Nebraska running back Maurice Washington (28) warms up before a Big Ten Conference football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 21, 2019, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL. - SEPTEMBER 21: Nebraska running back Maurice Washington (28) warms up before a Big Ten Conference football game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 21, 2019, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Nebraska Football needs Washington to play at a high level in the second half of the season.

We all know how explosive Nebraska Football running back Maurice Washington can be when he is on the field. We saw that right away at the beginning of the season. Against South Alabama, he gave Nebraska football fans a preview of what hopefully was to come.

Over the last three games however, his production has kind of slowed down a bit. He only has 19 carries for 43 yards over the past three games. Those do not sound like Maurice Washington-type statistics at all. Granted, he has been banged up a little bit. However, he needs to improve on his production in the second half. Washington along with freshman sensation Wan’Dale Robinson will have to literally carry the load for Nebraska Football offensively.

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Part of the problem is because of the offensive line. They have had trouble stopping defensive lines all season. For that reason, I would try to get him more involved in the passing game. We saw what he can do when he catches the football. In particular, the games against South Alabama and Colorado really showed what he could do. When he is on top of his game, he is a multi-faceted running back. For that reason, he fits perfectly in the Nebraska Football offense. When unleashed, Washington can do great things. He can quite literally carry the offense on his own.

He will certainly have to play a big role in the team’s upcoming game against Indiana. These Hoosiers are an upstart team who are afraid of no opponent. They will play their game and do so without any regrets. Washington has to be ready to catch the football in particular. If Adrian Martinez needs to complete a quick read, Washington needs to be there. Of course, this is all assuming he is healthy. Hopefully, Washington can remain healthy down the stretch and help lead Nebraska to a bowl berth.

This is the point of the season where teams rely on their upperclassman to lead the way. Washington will certainly have to assume that role. He has the talent and skill set to be an impact playmaker the rest of the way. He just needs to be able to do it consistently and often. If he can maintain a high level of play, Nebraska will certainly be playing in December. I would love it if they could somehow sneak into January play, but we must take baby steps here.

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