FAYETTEVILLE -- Kani Walker, a cornerback for the University of Arkansas football team, strolled into the weight room early in the season. He paused, comparing what he saw to Michael Myers, an imposing slasher in the "Halloween" movies.
Really, it was running back Mike Washington Jr.
"I can just feel energy," Walker said. "More so, just locked in on a different stage. It was like, 'OK, yeah. I got my guy back.' ... It kind of brought me back to the guy that I met in January. And I don't know what it is about him, but maybe he felt like he had to rekindle and refocus."
Washington arrived at Arkansas after spending three seasons with Buffalo and 2024 with New Mexico State. Before Bobby Petrino got his interim coach tag, the offensive coordinator was mad he didn't spot Washington in the transfer portal before he headed west. The staff nabbed the senior the second go-around and he placed atop Arkansas' points leaderboard in summer workouts.
Washington could be counted on for a long touchdown run in August scrimmages. The 6-2, 228-pound back would have had a rushing touchdown like that in the season opener had he not tripped over himself after breaking a tackle. Washington said the stumble replayed in his mind for a week after a 116-yard, 1-touchdown performance the next game.
The senior scored two touchdowns at then-No. 17 Ole Miss on Sept. 13 -- one on a 47-yard run. He added 53 receiving yards, though he was otherwise held in check with a 1.5-yard average on 12 other carries. If Walker didn't see Washington stone-faced after the Week 3 game, then it must have fallen after a Week 4 loss at Memphis on Sept. 20. He gained 64 yards on the potential game-winning drive, but he had the ball punched out for a fumble at Memphis' 7.
"It happens to the best of the best," sophomore running back Braylen Russell said Tuesday. "We talk to each other. We get past it, but you can't just dwell on something that happened a week ago. You've got to put it behind you. Put one foot in front of the other and keep going."
Washington's average yards dwindled for a third straight game Sept. 27 in a 56-13 loss to Notre Dame. He then soared to a season-high 131 rushing yards and 1 touchdown out of a bye week at then-No. 12 Tennessee on Oct. 11. Petrino said he still waited for him to break for a long run and was inches away five times. Washington zoomed for a 57-yard run Oct. 18 against No. 4 Texas A&M -- a catalyst for a score moments before halftime in an eventual 45-42 loss.
With a fresh season-high 147 yards against the Aggies -- and 9.2 per attempt -- Washington became the first Razorback to reach 100 rushing yards in back-to-back games against an SEC opponent since Alex Collins in 2015. His 671 rushing yards are second in the SEC to Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy's 840.
Washington is 42 yards from tying his single-season high of 713 with New Mexico State, when he split reps with Kentucky transfer Seth McGowan. But Arkansas would benefit from a third triple-digit line at 11:45 a.m. Saturday when playing Auburn in Fayetteville.
"He's seeing things really well," Petrino said. "Whenever you become really good before you get the ball, then your vision opens up and your landmarks are better. You see the blocks and make quick cuts. His improvement on that in the last three weeks has been tremendous. ... His explosion and speed is something he's always had. But because he's doing things a little more detailed, it shows up more."
Arkansas punter Devin Bale had a similar explanation.
"All the work you see on the field, he puts in just the same amount of work, if not more, off the field," he said. "So it makes sense. He puts in the work and it's showing."
Sophomore receiver CJ Brown had a key block to open up a lane for Washington's season-long 57-yard run to Texas A&M's 7.
"The offensive line did a really nice job, particularly run-blocking," Petrino said Monday. "Our receivers blocked really well downfield. That's why we got some huge, explosive runs. ... Mike and Braylen both ran extremely well."
With a little help, Washington remains the improved initiator of Arkansas' rushing attack.
"He's been locked in over a whole other notch, honestly, for multiple weeks now," Walker said. "He's been a different guy."
Matt Byrne is the Bob Holt Razorback Reporter, named in honor of the longtime reporter who covered University of Arkansas sports. This position is funded by the ADG Community Journalism Project.