Date: 10/01/2013 04:59 AM
AP-NW–SportsMinute/344
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – On the verge of getting bounced out of Houston, the Seattle Seahawks delivered one of the best comebacks in team history. It was a gutty statement by the Seahawks in their 23-20 overtime win. Not only did Seattle reaffirm its position as the class of the NFC, but the Seahawks also displayed more evidence they are no longer pushovers away from home. Dating back to last season, the Seahawks have won five of their last six – including the playoffs – away from Seattle.
SEATTLE (AP) – Before the season began, Steve Sarkisian preached to his Washington players that distractions would not be a viable excuse for shortcomings. Yesterday, the distractions were about Sarkisian immediately being linked to the USC vacancy after the firing of Lane Kiffin. Sarkisian said that instead of dancing around the rumors, he addressed the situation head on during a team meeting yesterday. He says this week is a chance to prove No. 15 Washington won’t be distracted heading into Saturday’s showdown at No. 5 Stanford.
SEATTLE (AP) – Another offseason. Another Seattle Mariners managerial search. They’ll spend the early part of this offseason hiring their eighth manager or interim manager since 2002. Yet the indictment of the franchise that came from manager Eric Wedge’s decision not to return for 2014 might be the most damaging they’ve ever received after Seattle went 71-91. Wedge quit on his chance to continue with Seattle’s rebuilding process rather than stick it out in what he considered an untenable situation.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – At the end of last season, Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews had one word to describe how he felt. It was “empty.” Now, just a few months later, Matthews says his word is “optimistic.” Portland held media day yesterday, and the team opens training camp today with a revamped roster that includes some much-needed depth and the addition of a real center in Robin Lopez. Mathews says this season’s Blazers have everything they need, they just have to put it all together.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.