Loss by Seahawks adds to misery of teams in state

Oct 20, 2008 - 5:49 PM By Bob Birge PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

No wonder it rains in Washington all the time - fans are shedding tears over the sorry state of their teams.

Sleepless in Seattle? How about winless in Seattle?

One of the laws of physics states that for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. That would make Seattle the anti-Boston (six championships in the decade - three by the Patriots, two by the Red Sox and one by the Celtics).

Washington's misery stretches across more than one sport and extends into the college ranks as well.

While the Tampa Bay Rays were celebrating winning their first American League pennant in St. Petersburg with their victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night, a few miles away, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were handing the Seattle Seahawks their third straight loss.

The Seahawks dropped to 1-5 and into last place in the NFC West following a 20-10 defeat, virtually ending their hopes for a fifth straight division title.

"It's hard," said Seattle coach Mike Holmgren, who is set to retire at the end of the season. "We're not used to this. We're having a heck of a time moving the ball."

Misery most love company. Consider the impressive records logged by Seattle/Washington teams:

-- Seattle Mariners - Suffer a 12-game losing streak in September and finish with a 61-101 record, the second-worst mark in the major leagues.

-- Washington Huskies - Only winless team in the Football Bowl Subdivision at 0-6 with a lame duck coach in Tyrone Willingham, who almost certainly will not be back next season.

-- Washington State Cougars - Coming off the worst loss in the school's 104-history, a humiliating 69-0 defeat to Southern California.

The Cougars (1-7) may not be merely bad, they may be historically bad. Saturday marked the fourth time they have allowed 60 or more points this season, becoming the first BCS member school to accomplish that feat. Washington State's only win came against Portland State of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Against USC, the Cougars had the look of a deer staring into the headlights - and coach Paul Wulff practically admitted as much.

" We need to grow up," he said. "Have to mature, and learn how to fight a little bit more. We have to learn how to compete and not have the glazed look over their eyes."

Since he is in his first season, Wulff is not going anywhere, but Willingham can't leave fast enough.

Notre Dame faced intense criticism for firing Willingham after three seasons, but he has proceeded to tarnish a proud Washington program. He faces his former school Saturday.

With an 11-31 record in his three-plus seasons at Washington, it's inconceivable that he would return in 2009. Willingham figures to be out of office before George W. Bush.,

Washington's final game is against California on December 6. Bush's presidency doesn't officially end until January 20, when his successor is sworn in.

The Seahawks have been decimated by injuries, losing five receivers at one point this season, including starters Bobby Engram and Deion Branch. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has missed the last two games with a bulging disk in his back.

With Hasselbeck sidelined, Seattle has been held under 200 yards of total offense in each of the last two games.

The combined record of the state's three football teams - the Seahawks, Washington and Washington State - is 2-18.

But as bad as their football teams are, at least Washington fans can look forward to the start of the NBA season.

Oh, that's right. Seattle doesn't have an NBA team anymore. The SuperSonics picked up stakes and moved to Oklahoma City.