Seahawks shut out 49ers 24-0 at home

SEATTLE, Washingon: Matt Hasselbeck threw a pair of touchdown passes as the Seattle Seahawks dominated by beating the struggling San Francisco 49ers 24-0 on Monday.

Backup running back Maurice Morris rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown as Seattle (5-4) maintained a one-game lead over Arizona in the NFC West standings.

"I just tried to get completions and be smart with the ball," Hasselback said. "We can play better. We are better than our record."

San Francisco suffered its seventh consecutive defeat under coach Mike Nolan, who was on the sideline one day after the death of his father, Dick Nolan, the longtime San Francisco coach who died on Sunday at age 75.

San Francisco did not get a first down until the final play of the first half and during the seven-game losing streak, the Niners have scored just 67 points.

Hasselback had to be on his game on Monday with star running back Shaun Alexander injured. Hasselbeck finished 27-of-40 for 278 yards, two TDs and one interception.

San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith was 11-of-23 for just 102 yards as the 49ers never had the ball more than five plays until midway through the final quarter.

AFP

(China Daily 11/14/2007 page22)