Bucs whip Seahawks, 24-7, for 2nd win

Seattle, WA--  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers capitalized on 5 turnovers, to whip the Seattle Seahawks, 24-7, for their 2nd win of the season.  The Bucs intercepted Matt Hasselbeck 4 times, twice by Elbert Mack and once each by Tanard Jackson and Geno Hayes.

After a slow start, quarterback Josh Freeman caught fire.  He finished with 16 completions on 26 attempts, for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns, screen passes to Carnell Williams and Derrick Ward.  The Williams touchdown was the Bucs' first in 12 quarters.

"That's the key, how the players play around Josh Freeman," said Bucs' head coach Raheem Morris.  "Josh bounced back today, he threw the pick early but he was able to calm himself down which he wasn't able to do last week.  He was able to get back in synch, and we were able to run the football.  And whenever you can run the football, you can help a young quarterback."

"I think our coaches have confidence in me," said Josh Freeman.  "They wouldn't be playing me otherwise.  I have confidence in myself.  There really wasn't a moment where that confidence was shaken.  I threw that pick, and I went to the sideline and nobody was saying 'aw, what are you doing?'.  I said, 'I got it, I got it', then coach said, 'alright, go get it' ".

After falling behind 7-0, the Bucs scored the next 24 points.  They came out of halftime, with momentum, scoring 18 points in the quarter.

Williams and Ward combined for 133 yards rushing.  Kellen Winslow caught 6 passes from Freeman, for a team-leading 93 yards.

The win was the Bucs' 2nd of the season, against 12 losses

For a complete box score, click here

The Bucs have answered Seattle's 2nd quarter touchdown with 24 unanswered points, scoring on five straight possessions. They lead the Seahawks 24-7 in the 4th quarter.

They began by putting 10 quick points on the board early in the 3rd quarter, to grab a 13-7 lead. Later, after Cadillac Williams added a 22 yard touchdown run, Josh Freeman ran in the 2 point conversion for a 21-7 lead. Connor Barth's 39 yard field goal began the scoring in the 4th quarter.

The Bucs put together a 50 yard drive on their first possession of the second half.  Connor Barth kicked a 45 yard field goal, to trim the margin to 7-6 Seattle.

Then, Tanard Jackson intercepted Matt Hasselbeck, and returned to the Seattle 22 yard line.  On the first play, Josh Freeman connected with Carnell Williams on a screen pass, and Williams scored from 22 yards out.  Bucs lead, 13-7.

Connor Barth kicked a 28 yard field goal, with :15 remaining in the first half, to put the Bucs on the scoreboard.  The Seahawks led 7-3, at the half.

The Bucs got into field goal position, on Geno Hayes interception of Matt Hasselbeck, and return to the Seattle 25 yard line.

Josh Freeman completed just 5 of 12 passes, in the first half, for 61 yards, and threw an interception in the 1st quarter.  Derrick Ward is the leading ground-gainer, with 47 yards on 8 carries.  Lineback Geno Hayes has a sack, an interception, and a fumble recovery,  along with 2 tackles, in the first half.  The defense has forced 2 turnovers, but has allowed 234 yards of total offense to the Seahawks.

The Seahawks took a 7-0 lead over the Bucs in the 2nd quarter.  Matt Hasselbeck hit tight end John Carlson with a 29 yard touchdown pass, with 4:31 to go in the half.  On the replay, Carlson clearly stepped out at the 2 yard line, but head coach Raheem Morris declined to challenge the play. 

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GAME NOTES by the Associated Press 

Tampa Bay tight end Kellen Winslow was active for Sunday's game at Seattle after being listed as questionable on the injury report with a knee injury.

The Buccaneers opted to make tight end John Gilmore inactive. Winslow is one catch shy of passing Jackie Harris for the most receptions by a Bucs tight end in a single season.

Also inactive for Tampa Bay was wide receiver Michael Clayton, who was listed as out with a knee injury.

Seattle was without Nate Burleson (high ankle sprain), who leads the team with 812 yards receiving and is the 14th starter to miss a game due to injury this season. Running back Louis Rankin and special teams standout D.D. Lewis were also inactive for the Seahawks.