On Saturday at Husky Stadium, the Oregon Ducks brought the flash - and for stretches, they looked every bit the faster, more dynamic team. Malik Benson’s 64-yard lightning bolt of a touchdown was a reminder of how dangerous Oregon can be in space. And while the Ducks’ sophomore quarterback showed plenty of poise and promise, Washington had a not-so-secret weapon of its own: Adam Mohammed.
And make no mistake - this was Mohammed’s breakout performance. The sophomore running back didn’t just run hard; he ran with purpose, confidence, and a physicality that Oregon never quite figured out how to stop. In a game filled with high-level talent on both sides, Mohammed stood out as the most punishing presence on the field.
At 6-foot, 225 pounds, Mohammed looked every bit the part of a future pro. He wasn’t just hitting holes - he was creating problems.
He juked Ducks cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. into the turf on one play, then carried linebacker Bryce Boettcher for a five-yard ride on another. He didn’t lose a single yard all game, which tells you everything you need to know about how decisive and powerful he was with the ball in his hands.
He finished with 15 carries for 105 yards - the most by any player in the game - and added a pair of receptions, including one where he turned a short screen into a statement, leaving Finney again grasping at air. This wasn’t just a productive afternoon. This was a coming-out party.
“He is explosive, is he not?” CBS analyst Gary Danielson said during the broadcast.
Danielson, who knows a thing or two about playing in Husky Stadium from his own days slinging it at Purdue, wasn’t exaggerating. Mohammed’s blend of size, speed, and confidence jumped off the screen.
This performance didn’t come out of nowhere. Mohammed had already shown flashes, including a 108-yard game at UCLA the previous week.
But this one hit different - this was against Oregon, a team that prides itself on speed, physicality, and defensive depth. And he made it look like they weren’t ready for him.
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch said it best: “I don’t know if it’s running harder as much as it’s running with more confidence. I think the more you run the football, the more you play, the more confidence you gain.”
That confidence was on display early. Mohammed entered on the Huskies’ third offensive series and immediately ripped off a 22-yard run around the left side.
He followed that with a 5-yard gain and then an 8-yard reception where he once again embarrassed Finney in space. By the end of the first quarter, he had 50 rushing yards and looked like the most dangerous player in purple.
Then came a curious lull. Mohammed didn’t touch the ball in the second quarter, as the Huskies leaned back on Jonah Coleman, who was still working his way back from injury and wearing a heavy brace. Fisch, known for being loyal to his guys, gave the veteran the nod - but it was clear who had the hot hand.
Coming out of halftime, Mohammed picked up right where he left off. He caught an 11-yard pass, then broke off a 19-yard run that showcased everything he brings to the table - vision, balance, and the ability to finish runs through contact.
One defender wasn’t going to bring him down. Sometimes, not even two.
In the fourth quarter, with the game hanging in the balance, Mohammed delivered again. He opened the drive with a 9-yard run, then pounded out five consecutive 4-yard gains, helping the Huskies engineer a 13-play, 69-yard scoring drive that pulled them within five. It was the kind of drive where a running back takes over - and Mohammed did just that.
Looking ahead, it’s clear the No. 1 running back job is his to lose in 2026. Coleman will likely be headed to the NFL, and Mohammed has already started to show he’s ready to shoulder the load.
“He’s taken on the role of being the guy,” Fisch said. “He’s kind of transitioned into that role, where he now knows, just like Jonah transitioned into it a year and a half ago, that you’re now the guy we’re going to lean on.”
If Saturday was any indication, Washington has found its next workhorse - and the rest of the Pac-12 (or whatever the conference landscape looks like next fall) better be ready. Because Adam Mohammed isn’t just running with confidence - he’s running with authority.