Sark’s Stones: That was one horrible football game between Cal and Washington, but all is forgotten after Coach Sark’s fourth-down decision led to a memorable last play win. How much time did he take to deliberate? “None, really,” he said after the game. We’ve been aggressive since day one since I got here, and we’re not going to change.” Huskies 5-6 (4-4, T3rd in Pac-10), next game Saturday @ Wazzu.
Hawks Horror: My overriding memory of the Seahawks loss to the Chiefs will be Lofa Tatupu on his back in the end zone. The Chiefs simply ran the Hawks over, compiling 270 yards. Remember that game when Christian Okoye flattened the Hawks? He only had 156 yards in that one. KC’s Jamaal Charles had 173 yesterday. Seahawks 5-6, T1st in NFC West, next game Sunday vs. Carolina.
What They’re Saying…
“Boulders on Sark right there. Wow.” — @warrencb11
“I just told them, ‘We’ve been preaching now for three weeks about you got to finish. There’s no better way to finish than on the last play of the game. Here we go. This is what we do.'” — Coach Sark, on his post-last-play huddle talk
“We played like garbage.” — Pete Carroll
“I’d ask for the real Seahawks defense to stand up, but I’m afraid opposing offensive lines have knocked it down too many times.” — Jerry Brewer, Seattle Times
“@Hasselbeck Please retire so I can wear your jersey without shame?” — @BrettMiller108
In Other News…
Sark’s pre-play team huddle reminded me of another on-field coach chat: Lou Piniella’s base-side visit to Mike Cameron in Game 1 of the 2000 ALDS vs. Chicago.
The last drive was pure Locker unleashed. Got me thinking: If Locker goes to Oregon, do you doubt that he wouldn’t be as good if not better than Jeremiah Masoli was, or Darren Thomas is? If Locker goes to Oregon, he probably does win the Heisman.
So now the Apple Cup actually has some significance other than which team can claim the mantle of being the least crappy. One historical parallel is the 1982 Apple Cup, when a 2-7-1 Cougars team beat the #5-ranked Dawgs to knock them out of the Rose Bowl. In this case, a win would knock the Huskies out of the Holiday Bowl, but given the current state of the program, it might be even more demoralizing.
Todd Haley is my least favorite opposing coach in recent memory. With his constant bitching and outbursts, he behaves not like a coach, but like a dad with a son on the team. Hard to believe that he and Tony Dungy are in the same profession.
Sports Illustrated on Locker’s season (written before the Cal game): “Locker’s fall has been like a car wreck or Lindsay Lohan’s meltdown.” Ouch.
The Husky women’s soccer team lost their NCAA Elite 8 game. Boston College scored the game’s only goal on a corner kick in overtime.
A name you’ll hear more and more: Faisal Aden. The Somali-born JC transfer is averaging 23.3 ppg for the Cougs. You already know Klay Thompson, who’s averaging 23.8. Wazzu is the only team in the NCAA with two players in the top 15 in scoring.
If you’re free this afternoon, go check out the state H.S. football semifinals doubleheader at the Tacoma Dome. High school football on a Monday? Had to happen, since Spokane, were the games where scheduled to be played, is buried under a blizzard. Tumwater and East Valley (Yakima) play at 2 p.m., Bellarmine Prep and Ferris at 5 p.m.
Seattle U hoops is having some trouble in the post-Charles-Garcia era. They’re 2-6 after losing to UC Davis Saturday night. Redhawks are home against Montana State tonight. Outside shooting has been the biggest issue–outside of Sterling Carter, who’s made half of the team’s threes, they are shooting 21% from three.
Sounded like one hell of a state football semi between #1 Skyline and #2 Curtis on Saturday. Skyline rallied from 21 points down, thanks to an INT and a 80-yard catch and run by UW-bound Kasen Williams, then Curtis drove for a touchdown, went for two and lost. The Times’ H.S. reporter, Mason Kelley, called it one of the best high school games he’s seen. TNT’s Ryan Divish said the same.
A 37-year-old woman in just her fourth year of competitive running won the Seattle Marathon. I’m 34, maybe there’s hope for me!
Had a blast at the Garfield High hoops jamboree Saturday night. Tony Wroten, who’ll bring his talents to Montlake next season, had several awe-inspiring no-look and behind-the-back passes in a 10-minute game. Nice also to see former Garfield coach Al Hairston back on the sideline–the former Sonic is back on the bench, at age 65, as O’Dea’s head coach. Another former local star was just beginning his coaching career–Donald Watts is now head coach of West Seattle.
UW will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA volleyball tournament this Thursday and Friday. The unseeded Huskies play Michigan in round one. The top seed in the bracket is Hawaii, seeded #15 (NCAA volleyball is a 64-team tourney, but they only seed from 1-16. I have no idea why.)
Apple Cup week! The must-read blog CougCenter starts things off with a video of the Cougs’ game-winning TD in Apple Cup ’07.
Tweeted…
“I should’ve listened to the 12s! The worst meal I’ve ever had was jus in Rain Forest Cafe!!!!” — Aaron Curry, @SeaHawk59
“I don’t care how great the deals are, I think ‘Black Friday’ is a stupid tradition…” — Jon Brockman, @MrJonBrockman
“Well mike Williams will be wearing a kilt, green hat , a Nd jersey, and whatever else I can think of!” — Golden Tate, @ShowtimeTate
Today’s Action…
East Valley (Spokane) vs. Tumwater, 2A Football Semi, 2 p.m., Tacoma Dome
Bellarmine Prep vs. Ferris, 4A Football Semi, 5 p.m., Tacoma Dome
San Francisco @ Arizona, MNF, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Montana St. @ Seattle U men’s hoops, 7:10 p.m., KeyArena (ESPN 710)
My full calendar of Seattle sports action here.
