Seahawks’ Strong Leaves Buccaneers Feeling Weak

Two years ago, Mack Strong was Garrison Hearst’s unsung blocker in Georgia’s backfield. On Sunday, he was the Seattle Seahawks’ unsung hero.

Strong scored on a seven-yard run with 42 seconds left and John Kasay’s extra point gave Seattle a 22-21 comeback victory over Tampa Bay before the smallest non-strike crowd in the Seahawks’ 19-year history.

Only 37,466 fans showed up--there were 17,234 no-shows--in the Kingdome. They saw the Buccaneers come back from a 15-0 deficit late in the first half. The previous lowest non-strike crowd was 45,737 for a Dec. 19, 1993 game with Phoenix.

The no-shows missed an exciting finish.

“I’m used to being in the shadows,” Strong said. “But every now and then, I emerge. I don’t have good 40 speed, but I have good game speed. It feels great to win a football game and break our losing streak.”

The Seahawks (4-7) ended a six-game slide and handed the Buccaneers (2-9) their sixth loss in a row to clinch Tampa Bay’s 12th consecutive losing season.

How tough was the loss?

A frustrated Coach Sam Wyche, in the third year of a five-year contract, didn’t want to answer that question. He has previously said he expects to lose his job next season. The Buccaneers are for sale.

“I have nothing to really say about the game. It was a 22-21 finish and I congratulate Tom Flores,” Wyche said at his news conference. Then he turned around and walked out of the room.

The Seahawks went 77 yards in 12 plays in 2:42 to score their winning touchdown after Michael Husted’s 35-yard field goal put Tampa Bay ahead, 21-15, with 3:24 to go.

On the 12th play of the drive, Strong, a reserve playing at tailback in place of the injured Chris Warren, ran seven yards around right end on second and six.

The Seahawks didn’t have timeouts left and the clock was moving. The Buccaneers were expecting Seattle to pass.