3 Things to Watch For Washington Huskies Game vs. Eastern Washington

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The Washington Huskies football team is set to conclude its nonconference schedule against the Eastern Washington Eagles at 4:15 p.m. PT on Saturday at Husky Stadium in Seattle.

The game against the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) squad will provide the Huskies (2-0) the chance to improve to 3-0 on the season and improve some of the lingering problems with the team.

Here's three things to watch for Washington's nonconference finale against their in-state, FCS opponents.

Will the running back room be sorted?

The running back room has been hit with injuries through the first two weeks of the regular season. Second-year running back Quaid Carr, who entered the season as the presumptive starter due to a neck injury suffered in spring by third-year Jordan Washington, suffered an injury that has the possibility of keeping him out the entire season in Week 1. The second running back on the depth chart, fourth-year Jayden Limar, also suffered a long-term injury in the same game.

In Carr and Limar's stead, true freshman Brian Bonner Jr. and Ansu Sanoe split reps in Week 2 with sixth-year Trey Cooley.

Bonner and Sanue combined for 14 rushes for 27 yards against Utah State. Sanoe scored a one-year touchdown.

On the depth chart released at the beginning of the week, Bonner was listed as the starting running back on the depth chart.

UW could see the return of Washington before the end of the season, and Carr and Limar's potential return could also help as the team hits the stretch of the regular season. However, the performance of Bonner as the starter will be key to getting the run game going, and the best opportunity to tack of the first big game of his college career will come against the FCS team.

Another freshman front-and-center

In Week 2 against the Aggies, fourth-year wide receiver Rashid Williams and fourth-year cornerback Emmanuel Karnley were both knocked out with soft tissues injuries and were ruled week-to-week.

Williams was cleared to play against Eastern Washington whereas it appears Karnley will be out or a game-time decision.

If the fourth-year cornerback will be unable to go, the Huskies with a true freshman, one of many to get significant reps with the first team this year, for the start.

Jeron Jones will play outside cornerback if Karnley can't go. The former filled in for the latter against the Aggies and snagged an interception in Week 1 against the Cougars.

Improvement from the offensive line?

Outside of running back, the offensive line has been one of the most disappointing units on the team this season.

A large part of this has been the turnover on the line. Fourth-year center Landen Hatchett has been out the entire offseason and the first two weeks (set to be three) due to a wrist injury. His replacement, fourth-year Kolt Dieterich, hasn't played center before this season. True freshman Kodi Greene has been starting at left tackle and seventh-year Geirean Hatchett and second-year Champ Taulealea have split time at right guard.

The offensive line has struggled through the first two weeks of the season against Pac-12 opponents the Cougars and the Aggies, and there won't be a better opportunity for the unit to put together a good effort against the FCS' Eastern Washington. 

EWU has allowed five more points per game and five more minutes of possession per game to its first three opponents, which were all also in the FCS.

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