Friday, October 25, 2019
East Oregonian
FOOTBALL PREVIEW
NO. 11 OREGON
DUCKS (6-1)
SEATTLE
SEAHAWKS (5-2)
Aug. 31: No. 16. Auburn 27
No. 11 Oregon 21,
Sept. 8: Seattle 21,
Cincinnati 20
Sept. 7: No. 16 Oregon 77,
Nevada 6
Sept. 15: Seattle28,
Pittsburgh 26
Sept. 14: No. 15 Oregon 35,
Montana 3
Sept. 21: No. 16 Oregon 21,
Stanford 6
Oct. 5: No. 13 Oregon 17,
California 7
Oct. 11: No. 13 Oregon 45
Colorado 3
Oct. 19: No. 12 Oregon 35,
No. 25 Washington 31
Saturday vs. Washington
State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sept. 22: New Orleans 33,
Seattle 27
Visit from former boss Carroll fi nds Quinn on
HOT SEAT
Nov. 23 at No. 24
Arizona State, TBA
Nov. 30 vs. Oregon State,
TBA
AP File Photo/David Goldman
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn (right) says he never backs down from a challenge. Just in time for a visit from
his mentor, Seattle coach Carroll (left), Quinn is facing the biggest challenge of his career as the Falcons will try
to stop a fi ve-game losing streak when they face the Seahawks on Sunday.
Aug. 30: Oklahoma State 52,
Oregon State 36
Sept. 7: Hawaii 31,
Oregon State 28
Sept. 14: Oregon State 45,
Cal Poly 7
Sept. 28: Stanford 31,
Oregon State 28
Oct. 5: Oregon State 48,
UCLA 31
Oct. 12: No. 15 Utah 57,
Oregon State 7
Oct. 19: Oregon State 21,
California 17
Nov. 2 at Arizona, 1:30 p.m.
(PAC12)
Nov. 8 vs. No. 25
Washington, 7:30 p.m. (FS1)
Nov. 16 vs.
No. 24 Arizona State, TBA
Nov. 23 at Washington
State, TBA
Nov. 30 at No.12 Oregon,
TBA
AP TOP 25
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
No. 16 SMU at Houston,
4:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
No. 1 Alabama vs.
Arkansas, 4 p.m.
No. 2 LSU vs. No. 9 Auburn,
12:30 p.m.
No. 3 Ohio State vs.
No. 13 Wisconsin, Noon
No. 4 Clemson vs.
Boston College, 4:30 p.m.
Falcons’ Dan Quinn may be coaching to save his
job just in time for visit from his former boss
A
TLANTA — Dan Quinn says he never
backs down from a challenge.
Just in time for a visit from his mentor,
Seattle coach Pete Carroll, Quinn is fac-
ing the biggest challenge of his career.
Quinn’s Atlanta Falcons will try to stop a fi ve-game
losing streak that threatens his job security when they
face the Seahawks on Sunday. Quinn worked in two
stints as an assistant with Carroll, including as defen-
sive coordinator from 2013-14, before he was hired as
Atlanta’s coach.
Quinn has been unable to sustain momentum from
a 2016 Super Bowl season and return trip to the play-
offs in 2017. After a 7-9 fi nish last year, Quinn could be
coaching to protect his job as the fl oundering Falcons
(1-6) face the Seahawks (5-2).
“For sure it’s been challenging, but I’ve never been
one who felt like I’m out of the fi ght,” Quinn said
Wednesday. “Some of the best things I’ve done, my
back was against the wall. I don’t ever mind being in
that position.”
Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner, one of the few
remaining Seahawks veterans who played under
Quinn, said it’s strange to see the Falcons at such a
low point.
“It’s defi nitely a little surprising,” Wagner said. “It’s
one of those teams that you can’t take lightly. You can’t
look at their record and think that that’s what it is, the
way D.Q. is, the way that he gets those guys prepared.”
Quinn said Carroll “meant more to me on the
coaching side and has had the biggest impact on me
than anyone in my career.”
Carroll also has warm feelings for the former
assistant he calls “Danny.” He said the friendship,
or Quinn’s hot-seat status, can’t get in the way of an
important game for Seattle.
DAMAGING LOSS
Atlanta’s lopsided 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles
Rams last week may have been the low point of an
ugly season. Quarterback Matt Ryan hobbled off the
fi eld with a sprained right ankle, which could force
him to miss a start for the fi rst time since 2009.
Running back Devonta Freeman was ejected for
attempting to punch the much larger Aaron Donald,
who at one point picked Freeman off the ground. The
boxing mismatch was about as close as the game.
Veteran Matt Schaub, 38, took fi rst-team snaps in
practice this week. He would make his fi rst start since
2015 with Baltimore if Ryan is held out.
COMING AND GOING
Each team made trades on Tuesday. The Falcons
sent wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to New England
for a 2020 second-round pick. The Seahawks acquired
safety Quandre Diggs from the Detroit Lions for a
2020 fi fth-round pick.
FIND THE RUSH
Seattle continues to wait for its pass rush to make
the kind of impact that was expected with Ziggy
Ansah and Jadeveon Clowney added to the mix. The
Seahawks have just 11 sacks on the season and only
one in the past three games. This could be a week for
Seattle to break out. The Falcons have given up 19
sacks, including fi ve last week.
RIDLEY’S TIME
Sanu’s exit could lead to a bigger role for Cal-
vin Ridley as the Falcons’ undisputed No. 2 wide
receiver behind Julio Jones. “In the last 16 or 17
months you’ve seen that development and where he’s
headed,” Quinn said. “It’s that time for him to get
more opportunities.”
Ridley said he will miss Sanu.
“Mo meant a lot to me,” Ridley said. “I learned a
crazy amount from him, all about my game. He was
the juice, the energy in our room.”
BOBBY, THE BEST
Wagner needs just two tackles to move into fi rst
place on the team’s all-time list, passing former
safety Eugene Robinson. Wagner is third in the NFL
with 69 combined tackles this season. The four-time
fi rst-team All-Pro has taken on an even larger role as
the leader of Seattle’s defense, even though he was
unaware of how close he was to the record.
“It’s kind of a testament to hard work,” he said.
“When you fi rst enter the league, you kind of don’t
know what your career is going to look like, and I still
feel like I have a lot left, but to be at the top of a list
like that with all the players that played here would
defi nitely be a blessing.”
No. 5 Oklahoma at
Kansas State, Noon
No. 6 Penn State at
Michigan State, 12:30 p.m.
No. 8 Notre Dame at
No. 19 Michigan, 4:30 p.m.
No. 11 Oregon vs.
Washington State, 7:30 p.m.
No. 12 Utah vs. California, 7 p.m.
No. 15 Texas at TCU, 12:30 p.m.
No. 17 Minnesota vs.
Maryland, 12:30 p.m.
No. 20 Iowa at
Northwestern, Noon
No. 21 Appalachian State at
South Alabama, Noon
No. 23 Iowa State vs.
Oklahoma State, 12:30 p.m.
No. 24 Arizona State
at UCLA, 4:30 p.m.
FAR WEST
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
Southern Cal (4-3) at
Colorado (3-4), 6 p.m.
SATURDAY
Nevada (4-3) at
Wyoming (5-2), 11 a.m.
Eastern Washington (3-4)
at Montana (5-2), 11:05 a.m.
Arizona (4-3) at
Stanford (3-4), 12:30 p.m.
Hawaii (4-3)
at New Mexico (2-5), 1 p.m.
Idaho State (3-4) at
Southern Utah (1-7), 1:05 p.m.
Portland State (5-3) at
Northenr Arizona (3-4), 3 p.m.
Weber State (5-2) at
UC Davis (4-4), 4 p.m.
Colorado State (2-5) at
Fresno State (3-3), 4:30 p.m.
Sacramento State (5-2) at
Cal Poly (2-5), 5 p.m.
California (4-3) at Utah (6-1), 7 p.m.
Utah State (4-2) at
Air Force (5-2), 7:15 p.m.
San Diego State (6-1)
at UNLV (2-5), 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3: Seattle 30,
LA Rams 29
Oct. 13: Seattle 32,
Cleveland 28
Oct. 20: Baltimore 30,
Seattle 16
Nov. 3 vs. Tampa Bay,
1:05 p.m. (FOX)
Nov. 11 at San Francisco,
5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Nov. 17 BYE
By CHARLES ODUM
Associated Press
OREGON STATE
BEAVERS (3-4)
Sept. 29: Seattle 27,
Arizona 10
Sunday at Atlanta,
10 a.m. (FOX)
Nov. 2 at
Southern Cal, 5 p.m. (FOX)
Nov. 16 vs. Arizona, TBA
B3
Oregon looks to extend 6-game streak
Line: Oregon by 14.
Series record: Oregon
49-40-7.
leads
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Oregon is on a six-game winning
streak since its loss to Auburn in the
opener. If the Ducks stay the course
they’ll claim the Pac-12 North title
and a spot in the conference champi-
onship game. After a 35-31 victory at
Washington, the Ducks jumped to No.
11 in the AP poll, their highest regu-
lar-season ranking since 2015. Wash-
ington State was considered among
Oregon’s primary challengers in the
North but three straight losses to open
conference play hurt. The Cougars
rebounded last week and beat Colo-
rado 41-10 at home.
KEY MATCHUP
Washington State QB Anthony
Gordon vs. the Ducks’ improved
defense. Gordon threw for four touch-
downs against the Buffaloes to up his
total to 29. He has four games with
four touchdowns or more and leads
the nation in passing yards per game
(425.9) and completions per game
(35.14). Oregon’s defense under new
defensive coordinator Andy Avalos
is only allowing 11.9 points per game.
Nine different Ducks have had inter-
ceptions this season, led by Jevon Hol-
land with three.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Washington State: Running back
Max Borghi rushed for 105 yards
against Colorado for his third 100-
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert, right, reaches over Johnny Johnson III (3)
to congratulate Mycah Pittman (4) on Pittman’s 36-yard touchdown reception
against Washington in the second half Oct. 19 in Seattle. Oregon won 35-31.
yard rushing game this season. He
also had nine catches for 57 yards.
He’s got the most 100-yard rushing
games for the Cougars since Jerome
Harrison had eight in 2005. He’s got
nine total touchdowns this season, tied
for second most in the Pac-12.
Oregon: As always, quarterback
Justin Herbert. The senior has thrown
a touchdown pass in 35 straight games,
the longest current streak in the nation.
Oregon averages 44.5 points per game
when Herbert starts at home. He has
just one interception so far this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Washington State has a four-game
winning streak against the Ducks. It’s
the longest winning streak over Ore-
gon by a Pac-12 opponent since Wash-
ington won fi ve straight from 1989-
93. The Cougars have never won fi ve
straight against Oregon. ... A win
would give the Ducks their fi rst 5-0
start in Pac-12 play since 2013. ... Jay-
lon Redd leads Oregon with eight
touchdowns, seven via pass and one
on the ground.
— Associated Press
Nov. 24 at Philadelphia,
5:20 p.m. (NBC)
Dec. 2 vs. Minnesota,
5:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Dec. 8 at Los Angeles Rams,
5:20 p.m. (NBC)
Dec. 15 at Carolina,
10 a.m. (FOX)
Dec. 22 vs. Arizona,
1:25 p.m. (FOX)
Dec. 29 vs. San Francisco,
1:25 p.m. (FOX)
SEAHAWK-
FALCONS
CAPSULE
OPENING LINE — Seahawks by 3½
RECORD VS. SPREAD — Seahawks
3-4, Falcons 1-6
SERIES RECORD — Seahawks lead
10-8.
LAST MEETING — Falcons beat
Seahawks 34-31, Nov. 20, 2017
LAST WEEK — Seahawks lost to
Ravens 30-16, Falcons lost to Rams
37-10
AP PRO32 RANKING — Seahawks
No. 9, Falcons No. 29
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE — OVERALL
(5), RUSH (12), PASS (10)
SEAHAWKS DEFENSE — OVERALL
(16), RUSH (17), PASS (19)
FALCONS OFFENSE — OVERALL (16),
RUSH (29), PASS (2)
FALCONS DEFENSE — OVERALL
(27), RUSH (20), PASS (28)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES
— Falcons have playoff wins over
Seahawks in 2012, 2016. ... Falcons
coach Dan Quinn worked for
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll as
Seattle’s defensive line coach and
assistant head coach from 2009-10
and defensive coordinator from 2013-
14 before he was hired by Atlanta.
... QB Russell Wilson needs 11 yards
passing to move past Eli Manning for
10th most in fi rst eight seasons. ... DK
Metcalf second among rookie WRs
with 389 yards receiving.
NFL STANDINGS
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
EAST
W L T Pct
New England 7 0 0 1.000
Buff alo
5 1 0 .833
N.Y. Jets
1 5 0 .167
Miami
0 6 0 .000
PF
223
121
63
63
PA
48
91
156
211
SOUTH
Indianapolis
Houston
Jacksonville
Tennessee
PF
143
185
144
121
PA
138
164
148
112
NORTH
W L T Pct PF
Baltimore 5 2 0 .714 214
Cleveland 2 4 0 .333 120
Pittsburgh 2 4 0 .333 123
Cincinnati 0 7 0 .000 114
PA
156
154
131
186
WEST
Kansas City
Oakland
Denver
L.A. Chargers
W
4
4
3
3
W
5
3
2
2
L
2
3
4
4
PF
202
127
112
140
PA
150
165
136
141
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
EAST
W L T Pct
Dallas
4 3 0 .571
Philadelphia 3 4 0 .429
N.Y. Giants
2 5 0 .286
Washington 1 6 0 .143
PF
190
171
132
90
PA
124
186
187
176
SOUTH
New Orleans
Carolina
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
PF
164
166
173
145
PA
147
133
185
223
NORTH
W L T Pct PF
Green Bay 6 1 0 .857 184
Minnesota 5 2 0 .714 192
Chicago
3 3 0 .500 112
Detroit
2 3 1 .417 149
PA
139
123
105
160
WEST
San Francisco
Seattle
L.A. Rams
Arizona
PA
64
176
164
192
W
6
5
4
3
L
1
2
4
6
L
0
2
3
3
T
0
0
0
0
Pct
.667
.571
.429
.429
Pct
.714
.500
.286
.286
W
6
4
2
1
L
2
3
5
5
T
0
0
0
0
T
0
0
0
0
T
0
0
0
1
Pct
.857
.667
.333
.143
Pct
1.000
.714
.571
.500
PF
156
181
190
161
NFL SCHEDULE
THURSDAY’S GAME
Washington at Minnesota, 5:20 p.m.
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Arizona at New Orleans, 10 a.m.
Tampa Bay at Tennessee, 10 a.m.
N.Y. Giants at Detroit, 10 a.m.
Cincinnati vs L.A. Rams in London,
UK, 10 a.m.
Denver at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.
Philadelphia at Buff alo, 10 a.m.
N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville, 10 a.m.
Seattle at Atlanta, 10 a.m.
L.A. Chargers at Chicago, 10 a.m.
Carolina at San Francisco, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland at Houston, 1:25 p.m.
Cleveland at New England, 1:25 p.m.
Green Bay at Kansas City, 5:20 p.m.
Open: Dallas, Baltimore
MONDAY’S GAME
Miami at Pittsburgh, 5:15 p.m.