Saturday, November 14, 2015
SPORTS
NFL
East Oregonian
Page 3B
College Roundup
Arizona heads to Seattle
seeking NFC West supremacy
By TIM BOOTH
Associated Press
SEATTLE — There is still
an obstacle standing in front
of the Arizona Cardinals.
Even with a two-game
lead in the NFC West at the
midpoint of the season, the
Cardinals have yet to prove
they can topple the reigning
division champions when
the division race is still in
question.
That opportunity comes
on Sunday night when the
Cardinals travel to Seattle to
face the Seahawks.
A win by the Cardinals
(6-2) would potentially wrap
up the NFC West. A loss and
the division race will be wide
open.
“We were kind of in this
position last year. We had
a two-game lead on them
and we stunk up the joint,”
Arizona
safety
Tyrann
Mathieu said. “So we know
how important this game
is for us. We know what
this game means, not just
right now but later on in the
season.”
Arizona coach Bruce
Arians was blunt that this
is not a rivalry game yet.
The Cardinals haven’t been
successful enough against
Seattle in recent years to
proclaim the matchup as a
rivalry.
That could change by late
Sunday night. Two years ago,
Arizona did the unexpected
and won in Seattle on a day
Carson Palmer threw four
interceptions,
providing
the only blemish on the
Seahawks home record.
If the Cardinals can pull
off that accomplishment
this time, they would give
themselves a three-game
over Seattle in the division
race with seven games to go.
While not insurmountable,
it’s a dif¿cult de¿cit to over-
come.
That is the opportunity
that awaits Arizona and the
challenge in front of Seattle.
“We understand that they
understand they have to take
us off the top to beat us.
That’s not going to be an easy
AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File
In this Nov. 1, 2015, file photo, Arizona Cardinals quar-
terback Carson Palmer (3) passes under pressure from
Cleveland Browns linebacker Paul Kruger (99) in the
first half of an NFL football game, in Cleveland.
best scoring
task coming
offense
in
into our home.
football.
We’re going
Arizona
Seattle
Because of
to make sure
Seahawks how Palmer
we don’t let Cardinals
(6-2)
(4-4)
and the Cardi-
them do that,”
nals
have
Seattle line- • Sunday, 5:30 p.m.
played, there
backer Bobby • at CenturyLink Field
is a con¿dence
Wagner said. • TV: NBC
that
maybe
Last year
was absent in
the Cardinals
were in a similar position, in the past.
“Anytime we’re playing
control of the NFC West at
the midpoint of the season with him on the ¿eld, we feel
before losing four of their like we can beat anybody
¿nal six games — including anywhere,” Arians said.
both games to Seattle — after “We’ve been in most games
Palmer went down with a with him.”
Seattle’s challenge is less
season-ending knee injury.
He was just a spectator about trying to stop Palmer’s
when Drew Stanton and Ryan group as it is getting an
Finley unsuccessfully tried to offense going that’s been
supplant the Seahawks out of more dismal than dynamic.
Russell Wilson is on pace
the top spot in the division.
Palmer now comes to to be sacked more than 60
Seattle after one of the ¿nest times. Marshawn Lynch is
eight-game stretches of his matching his career low with
career. He’s thrown 20 touch- a 3.6 yards per carry average.
downs and has a 110.6 passer Seattle is 31st in the NFL in
rating, third in the league, red zone touchdowns and has
helping to create the second- just 12 offensive touchdowns
total on the season.
Here’s what else to watch
as the Seahawks and Cardi-
nals meet for the 33rd time:
P R O T E C T I O N
PRIORITY: After watching
Wilson get sacked at a
dizzying rate through seven
games,
the
Seahawks
offensive line kept Wilson
protected in their previous
game against Dallas. Seattle
didn’t give up a sack in the
13-12 win over Dallas, the
¿rst time this season Wilson
was not sacked.
Keeping Wilson clean
against the Cardinals will
be tough. The Cardinals had
seven sacks against Wilson
last season in Seattle and the
complexity of their blitzes
will challenge Seattle’s
offensive line.
RUN CHRIS RUN: The
resurgence of Chris Johnson
has been an added element to
Arizona’s offense. Johnson
is third in the NFL with 676
yards rushing on his way
to a 1,000-yard season and
has rushed for 100 yards in
two straight games. Seattle
has not allowed a 100-yard
rusher since Week 11 of last
season.
PICK PARTY: Seattle’s
vaunted secondary is still
looking for a Àurry of inter-
ceptions to come its way. The
Seahawks are tied for last in
the NFL with just three inter-
ceptions. Richard Sherman
is still looking for his ¿rst
after nearly coming up with
a couple of interceptions
against Dallas.
“We keep points off the
board. We keep you from
getting yards. I think we’re
top two or three in most
categories. So that’s really
all the game comes down
to,” Sherman said. “I mean,
you get a lot of turnovers and
giving up a bunch of points is
not really worth it, is it?”
PRIME TIME: Seattle
is 9-0 in home prime-time
games — Thursday, Sunday
and Monday — since Carroll
took over in 2010. The
previous time the Seahawks
lost a home prime-time
game was 2007 against New
Orleans.
College Football
Stanford can clinch Pac-12 North with win
By JOSH DUBOW
Associated Press
STANFORD, Calif. —
For decades, when it came
to rivalries at Stanford there
was nothing that could match
the intensity of the annual
season-ending game against
California.
While the Big Game still
is tops in terms of history
with memories of The Play
and battles for the prized Axe,
when it comes to importance
the Cardinal’s annual game
against Oregon now takes
top billing.
For the past ¿ve seasons,
the winner between the
Cardinal and Ducks has
gone on to take the Pac-12
title. That could happen once
again this year as No. 7 Stan-
ford (8-1, 7-0, No. 7 CFP)
can clinch the Pac-12 North
by beating Oregon (6-3, 4-2
Pac-12) at home.
“We haven’t had as much
history going back decades
like we have with Cal,”
linebacker Kevin Anderson
said. “But recently it has
been a bigger game because
the Pac-12 North has been at
stake.”
has
thrown
The Ducks
for 887 yards
are
mostly
and 10 TDs
Oregon
Stanford
playing spoiler
in
three
Ducks
Cardinal
this
year
games since
(6-3)
(8-1)
thanks to a
returning from
•
Saturday,
4:30
p.m.
stretch of three
a broken right
at Stanford Stadium
losses in ¿ve • • TV:
index ¿nger.
FOX
games earlier
His
ability
this season.
to
extend
They can still win the division plays with his legs and then
by winning their ¿nal three beat teams with his arm has
games starting with Stanford Cardinal coach David Shaw
and hoping the Cardinal lose concerned.
at home to Cal next week.
“He’s like improvisational
What an Oregon win jazz,” Shaw said. “It just starts
would do is put a serious and you don’t know where
dent in the Cardinal’s hope it’s going to go or where it’s
of making it into the College going to end. The last couple
Football Playoff.
of weeks, it’s ended in the end
“We take all that into zone quite a bit.”
consideration,”
Ducks
WILD CAFF: Stanford
receiver Dwayne Stanford has its own game-breaker on
said. “We’re trying to get to offense in Heisman Trophy
the Pac-12 championship and hopeful Christian McCaf-
to do that we’ve got to win frey. The Cardinal launched a
out and we need some luck.” website this week promoting
Here are some other his candidacy (wildcaff.com)
things to watch when Oregon but it’s McCaffrey’s play
visits Stanford:
that really states his case.
CONTAINING ADAMS: McCaffrey leads the nation
The top task for the Cardinal with 2,174 all-purpose yards
will be trying to contain and is on pace to break the
Oregon’s dynamic quarter- mark of 3,250 yards Barry
back Vernon Adams. Adams Sanders set in 11 games
on the way to winning the
Heisman Trophy in 1988.
McCaffrey has rushed for
1,207 yards, caught 28 passes
for 325 more, gained 642 as
a dangerous punt and kickoff
returner and even threw a TD
pass last week at Colorado.
“Give him the Heisman,”
receiver Michael Rector said.
“He deserves it. He’s over
here doing things that we
haven’t seen around here for
a long time. He’s a special
player.”
RUNNING ROYCE: If
the Cardinal focus too much
on Adams, running back
Royce Freeman could do
them in. Freeman has ¿ve
straight 100-yard rushing
games and is averaging 143
yards per game on the ground.
Freeman gained 150 yards
from scrimmage last year
against Stanford. Shaw called
Freeman a “game changer,”
“He’s a big, physical,
bruising back,” Shaw said.
“But at the same time he
has long speed also and he
has breakaway speed. He
can make people miss in the
open ¿eld and he can break
tackles.”
Oregon State often tough opponent for California
By MICHAEL WAGAMAN
Associated Press
BERKELEY, Calif. —
Quarterback Jared Goff
doesn’t seem too concerned
that time is running out for
California to clinch a bowl bid.
With only three games
left heading into Saturday
night’s matchup with Oregon
State, the Golden Bears need
just one win to secure a spot
in the postseason. That’s the
same scenario coach Sonny
Dykes’ team has been in for
more than a month, only now
the stakes are getting higher
as the calendar winds down.
A once-promising 5-0
start has been mufÀed by
four consec-
good chance
utive losses
to ¿nish this
that
have
season with
t h r e a t e n e d Oregon St.
eight wins and
Cal
Beavers
Golden Bears go to a bowl
to wipe out
(2-7)
(5-4)
Cal’s hopes of
game.”
reaching the • Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
The path to
postseason for • at Memorial Stadium
the postseason
the ¿rst time • TV: PACN
might not be
since 2011.
as easy as
If there is pressure on the Goff thinks.
Bears, Goff insists he isn’t
Although Oregon State
feeling it.
(2-7, 0-6 Pac-12) is riding a
“We played four really six-game losing streak, the
good teams and easily could Beavers have historically
have very easily won two of played well on the road
them,” Goff said. “I’m not against the Bears.
looking for moral victories
Cal (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12) hasn’t
— no one is — but we under- beaten Oregon State at Memo-
stand that we are still a good rial Stadium since 1997. The
team. We still have a really Bears defeated the Beavers in
a home game that was played
at San Francisco’s AT&T Park
in 2011 but have dropped six
straight in Berkeley to their
conference rival.
After playing Oregon
State, Cal travels to face No.
7 Stanford then closes out
the regular season at home
against an Arizona State
team that is also holding
onto slim bowl hopes. The
Sun Devils have a win over
UCLA and took defending
Pac-12 champ Oregon to
triple overtime before losing
61-55 on Oct. 29.
The Bears will have to
beat at least one of their
remaining three opponents to
get into the bowl picture.
AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens
Oregon State’s Ruth Hamblin (44) and Gabriella
Hanson (11) look to strip the ball from Longwood’s
Kemari Jones (0) during the first half of an NCAA
college basketball game in Corvallis, Ore., Friday
Nov. 13, 2015.
No. 10 Beavers
open with rout
Associated Press
CORVALLIS — Jamie
Weisner scored 24 points
and No. 10 Oregon State
routed Longwood 110-45
on Friday night the opener
for both teams.
Weisner made three
3-pointers and also slashed
to the basket.
Deven Hunter added 11
points and 10 rebounds,
Sydney Wiese had 10 points
and nine assists, and every
player on the Oregon State
roster scored. Before the
game, the Beavers unveiled
their Pac-12 regular-season
championship banner.
Deborah Headen led the
Lancers with nine points.
Longwood was outre-
bounded 54-18 and shot
22.6 percent, including 6 of
28 from 3-point range.
Oregon State shot 64.1
percent and had 29 assists.
The game was tied at 13
in the ¿rst quarter before the
Beavers went on an 11-0
run, with three 3-pointers.
Oregon also scored 16
straight points in the second
quarter, holding the Lancers
scoreless for 7 minutes. At
the half, the Beavers led
50-21.
The Beavers were picked
to win the league again this
season by the conference’s
coaches and media.
Oregon State returns
four of its ¿ve starters,
including Ruth Hamblin,
a 6-foot-6 center who
was an AP third-team
All-American last year after
averaging 12.9 points, 8.6
rebounds and 3.8 blocks.
The Lancers, from the
Big South Conference,
return all of their starters
from last season’s squad,
including Raven Williams,
who averaged 13.3 points to
lead Longwood last season.
EASTERN
WASH-
INGTON 64, EASTERN
OREGON 40 — At
Cheney, Wash., the No. 14
Eastern Oregon University
women’s basketball team
was con¿ned to just 10 ¿eld
goals, and the Mountain-
eers fell to NCAA Division
I opponent Eastern Wash-
ington in an exhibition
contest on Friday afternoon.
EOU saw six points
apiece from junior forward
Ashley Knight, junior
guard Bailey Schroeder,
and sophomore guard
Payton Parrish.
In addition, senior
forward Nikki Osborne
pulled down a game-high
seven rebounds to go
along with four points,
two assists, and two steals.
Maloree Moss added four
points.
Men’s Basketball
OREGON
80,
JACKSON STATE 52 —
At Eugene, Tyler Dorsey
scored 20 points in his
Oregon debut and Dwayne
Benjamin added 16 off the
bench to lead the Ducks to
an 80-52 non-conference
victory over Jackson State
on Friday night.
Dorsey, a freshman from
Los Angeles, scored 18
points in the ¿rst half on
5-for-5 shooting from the
¿eld, including four spot-up
3-pointers, as the Ducks had
little trouble containing the
Tigers in the season opener
for both teams. Dorsey also
had ¿ve rebounds and ¿ve
assists.
Benjamin punctuated
Oregon’s blazing 62.5
percent shooting in the
¿rst half with a rainbow
3-pointer from beyond
half-court at the buzzer for
a 46-30 halftime lead.
Paris Collins led all
scorers with 21 points for
Jackson State, capped by a
breakaway dunk with 1:24
left to play. Chace Franklin
added 11 points for the
Tigers.
Oregon coach Dana
Altman went nine deep with
his rotation with his team
on a 100-point pace after 10
minutes as the Ducks never
trailed. Altman cleared his
bench in the second half
after the lead ballooned to a
high of 34 points.
Elgin Cook had 11
points for Oregon and
Dillon Brooks, who didn’t
score in the ¿rst half,
¿nished with 10. Brooks
led the Ducks to a 38-33
edge in rebounds with six,
and Treshawn Bolden had
10 to lead Jackson State
Dorsey had 14 points
and four assists in the
opening 12 minutes in an
early bid to ¿ll the scoring
role of Joseph Young, last
season’s Pac-12 player of
the year who’s now a rookie
with the Indiana Pacers.
Dorsey’s only miss in the
¿rst half came at the foul
line, where he went 6 of 7
for the game.
ARIZONA CHRIS-
TIAN 83, EASTERN
OREGON 81, OT — At
Las Vegas, Nevada, Trell
Washington scored 23
points and Case Rada added
19 for Eastern Oregon (3-3),
but it wasn’t enough to get
past Arizona Christian in
overtime of their ¿rst game
at the Las Vegas Classic on
Thursday.
Washington
had
a
double-double with 14
revounds and also had
a team-high four assist.
Tate De Laveaga added 10
points for EOU.
Chris Sterling scored
23 points to lead Arizona
Christian and Jackson
Helms added 20.
Volleyball
EASTERN OREGON
3, NORTHWEST 1 — At
La Grande, three Mountain-
eers reached double digits
in kills and Eastern Oregon
reached the Cascade Colle-
giate Conference ¿nals with
a win on Friday night.
No. 4 seed Northwest
(20-11) won the ¿rst set
25-19, but top seed Eastern
Oregon (25-3) swept the
next three 25-19, 25-20,
25-12.
Amanda Miller ¿nished
with 12 kills for a match
high, Kasaundra Tuma
added 11 and Emily Nay
¿nished with 10.
Nay also led the match
with six blocks, Rachelle
Chamberlain had a match-
high 48 assists and Piper
Cantrell led all defenders
with 22 digs for EOU.
The Mountaineers will
play No. 3 seed College of
Idaho in the championship
today at 4 p.m.
The Yotes upset No. 2
seed Souther Oregon in ¿ve
sets on Friday with scores
of 25-19, 19-25, 19-25,
25-16, 15-8.