INGLEWOOD, Calif. — It’s the first game of the new regime for the Seattle Seahawks.
The new era kicked off against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in southern California on Aug. 10, the Hawks’ National Football League (NFL) preseason opener.
Saturday marked the first gameday under 37-year-old head coach Mike Macdonald with the Seahawks with positive results, winning 16-3 against the Chargers.
Macdonald was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens last season. Former University of Washington Huskies offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Ryan Grubb hopped over the Montlake Cut to join the Seahawks as offensive coordinator this season.
There was also a family rivalry along the sidelines as the Seahawks’ special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh matched up against his father, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Here are three takeaways from the Seahawks first preseason game:
First half of firsts
Seattle was first on the scoreboard in the second quarter with 13 points. Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell made a touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell. Russell powered 13 yards, reaching the end zone for his first NFL touchdown. A hairy exciting moment, indeed.
Minutes later, running back George Holani made his first NFL touchdown for the Seahawks with an 11-yard run, set up by cornerback Coby Bryant's interception.
Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II finds his first big tackle as Seahawk, with a tackle for loss. The Chargers stacked up two players against Murphy, who stands 6-feet tall, 309 pounds.
Dominant defense
The Seahawks defense was on full display against the Chargers. In the first half, the Hawks kept the Chargers to three first downs. Bryant's interception in the second quarter led to Holani's touchdown.
Los Angeles’ only points arrived when Cameron Dicker made a 58-yard field goal, which was a career record for the Chargers kicker.
Macdonald’s preseason debut
The winning team, and fans, seem pleased with Macdonald’s debut leading the Seahawks to a 16-3 victory. Starting the season on a high note.
Macdonald makes his regular season debut when the Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos on Sept. 8 at Lumen Field in Seattle.
How to watch other preseason Seahawks games
KING 5 will broadcast the Seahawks' two other preseason games against the Titans on Aug. 17 and the Browns on Aug. 24.
A pregame show in the Titans match-up begins at 3:30 p.m., and a pregame show against the Browns begins at 6:30 p.m. Both games will air on KING 5.
