Headline:
Oregon trounced the Huskies (again), the Seahawks won an unexpectedly close game, and the Sounders’ fall continued.
Executive Summary:
Despite a raucous crowd, the excitement of ESPN GameDay on campus, and a new Oregon-like offense, the Huskies still must bow down to Oregon after a 45-24 loss, their 10th straight loss to the Ducks.
The Seahawks fumbled four times — one of which was returned for a touchdown — but survived for a 20-13 win against Tennessee. The Hawks’ D gets the game ball: they picked off two passes, and they didn’t allow the Titans’ offense to reach the end zone.
The Sounders probably deserved better than a 1-0 loss to Portland — they hit the crossbar twice with shots — but a loss it is. The Sounders are now winless in their last 5 games, but remain just 1 win (or a San Jose or Colorado loss) from clinching a playoff berth, with two games remaining.
And, if you want to sound smart around the water cooler:
Say: Has Sigi lost control of the Sounders?
The Portland loss was marred by an Osvaldo Alonso red card; Alonso was sent off for an off-the-ball elbow to Will Johnson’s face. Alonso’s undisciplined play adds more fuel to the “Fire Sigi” movement, which is now reaching bonfire status among some in the fan base.
Say: Did Pete Carroll cost the Seahawks 7 points on Sunday?
The scenario: The Seahawks had the ball on the Tennessee 2. Kicker Steven Hauschka was in the locker room getting checked for a concussion after a hard tackle on a kickoff, which meant that punter Jon Ryan would try the field goal and, since Ryan is normally the holder, backup holder Chris Maragos would spot the ball. Maragos dropped the snap, then inexplicably attempted to wind up for a pass; the Titans swatted the ball away and returned it for a touchdown. Should Carroll have just gone for a TD instead? After the game, he said he should’ve, though some of his players thought he made the right call.
Say: Who’ll be the Huskies’ Phil Knight?
Oregon’s 10th-straight win over Washington proves that Nike boss Phil Knight’s many millions in athletic donations have been well spent. The Huskies have many well-heeled donors, but no one as rabid and wealthy as Knight. C’mon Jeff Bezos; who needs the Washington Post when you could have a National Championship football team?
It’s all good dawgs. Lick your wounds with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more stories like this. And to, you know, be friends.
