Washington’s Running Game Looking Thin

Oregon’s running game has virtually vanished, just like the Ducks’ Rose Bowl chances.

And while the Washington Huskies rushed for 203 yards against Southern California here last Saturday, that could change.

If Rashaan Shehee’s sore thumb gets re-injured today, when the No. 15 Huskies (4-0-1, 5-2-1) face the No. 19 Ducks (3-2, 6-2) at Husky Stadium, Washington’s running attack could be in the same shape as Oregon’s.

Leon Neal, Washington’s No. 1 tailback, may miss the final three games on the Huskies’ schedule because of a broken bone in his right big toe. He was Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week after his 152-yard rushing performance in the 21-21 tie with USC.

Shehee, Neal’s backup, has torn ligaments in his left thumb, a painful injury that limited him to seven carries against the Trojans.

Ricky Whittle, Oregon’s top tailback, will start against the Huskies. But he’s not the same player he was in the Ducks’ first six games, when he had three 100-yard rushing games and ran for nine touchdowns. Whittle had 57 yards on 23 carries in a loss to Arizona State last week, after getting only 13 yards on 17 carries against Washington State.

“He’s beat up a little bit, an accumulation of bumps and bruises,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. “It catches up with you when you’re one of the guys carrying a majority of the load.”