Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/768249
ByCamInman BayAreaNewsGroup SANTA CLARA Chip Kelly plans to play Colin Kaepe- rnick throughout the San Francisco 49ers' season fi- nale Sunday against the Seat- tle Seahawks rather than give Christian Ponder or Blaine Gabbert a look in relief. "We're trying to go win the football game, so Kap will play unless he gets banged up," Kelly said Thursday. Since replacing Gabbert in Week 6, Kaepernick has taken almost every snap while go- ing 1-9 as the starter, getting subbed out for only the fourth quarter of a 26-6 loss at Chi- cago on Dec. 4. Ponder hasn't taken a snap this season, inactive the first 13 games and watching from the sideline as the No. 2 quar- terback instead of Gabbert the past two games. All three quarterbacks, as well as the injured Thad Lewis, could become free 49ers'Kaepernicktohogsnaps at quarterback in season finale NFL TheSan Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick celebrates a er scoring in Saturday's win at Los Angeles. SEAN M. HAFFEY — GETTY IMAGES By Jimmy Durkin Bay Area News Group ALAMEDA The best game of De- Andre Washington's young NFL career left him wanting more. At the very least, one yard more. Washington broke out with a 12-carry, 99-yard performance in the Oakland Raiders' win over the Indianapolis Colts. That magical century mark was left staring at him in the face. "We definitely left some yards out there," Washington said. Even his coach took to some good-natured ribbing. Walking past as Washington sat down this week to record a podcast, Jack Del Rio crowed, "Ah shoot! Almost get 100 and now you're getting interviewed!" The turnaround from where Washington was a month ago is remarkable. Washington, a fifth-round pick from Texas Tech who was drafted to back up starter Lat- avius Murray, opened the year as the No. 2 running back. He maintained that role even as fellow rookie Jalen Richard, an undrafted free agent, exploded with a 75-yard touchdown on his first carry. In Weeks 2-4, Washing- ton had a run of 26 yards or more each game. When Murray missed two games with a turf toe injury, Washington started. He had at least five rush at- tempts per game through the first nine. Then came a forgotten month. He had one carry for zero yards in Mexico City against Houston, then was a healthy scratch for the home games against Caro- lina and Buffalo. Del Rio explained at the time that it was nothing Washington had done — it was just a num- bers game. "As a competitor, you always want to be out there on the field, you always want to put you best foot forward," Washington said. "So the two weeks I wasn't ac- tive, as a competitor, it just gives you extra motivation, an- other edge to just go out there and compete and demand the most out of yourself. I feel like I can definitely help this team so I just wanted to get out there and showcase my ability." Washington was back suited up Dec. 8 against the Chiefs, but didn't have any carries. He fi- nally touched the football again the following week in San Diego with five rushing attempts for 23 yards and an 11-yard recep- tion. The game against the Colts looked like it would be another quiet one for him. Richard was leading the way in the first half, carrying five times for 64 yards and adding a touchdown recep- tion. Washington had just two carries for six yards. But in the second half, Wash- ington finally had his break- through. Over a series of four carries, he ran for nine, 10, 22 and 22 yards — the latter two going for his first career touch- downs. Washington kept the ball from the first score, but gave the second to a kid in the stands. "Definitely a relief to finally pop that seal and get in there," Washington said. "And then then second one came. It was definitely a good Christmas." Del Rio was highly compli- NFL Washingtonexcited by career-bestgame Raidersrookierunningbackcomesupjust short of 100 yards in win over Indianapolis TONY AVELAR — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Oakland running back DeAndre Washington broke out with a 12-carry, 99-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Colts. Sunday: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos, 1:25p.m., TV on CBS, radio on 93.9FM. TUNEIN By Greg Beacham The Associated Press LAS VEGAS Ronda Rousey climbed on the scale and glared into the distance while the crowd roared. Moments later, she di- rected that withering gaze at UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, who stared right back. Rousey then left the stage at T- Mobile Arena on Thursday with- out a word to Nunes or the thou- sands of fans gathered largely to support her at the weigh-in on the eve of UFC 207. Rousey (12-1) was arguably the most dominant mixed martial arts fighter in the young sport's history until she lost her belt 13 months ago in a stunning knock- out. After devoting a year to get- ting back on top, Rousey is de- termined to earn her redemption Friday night with her skills, not her words. Her comeback fight against Nunes (13-4) is the main event in the UFC's traditional end-of- the-year show in its hometown, and few events in the promotion's blockbuster 2016 have been more anticipated. Nobody is certain which Rousey will show up in the cage. Will it be the confident judo genius who thrashed a series of overmatched opponents while blazing a trail into the main- stream for women's MMA and the UFC in general? Or will it be the shaky, dis- tracted veteran who stumbled, flailed and eventually got stopped by Holly Holm's head kick in Aus- tralia last year? "I'm not sure how it's going to be, but she could do a lot of things," Nunes said. "Nobody knows, but I know I'm going to be ready. We will see about her." Just don't ask Rousey what she thinks. She has largely refused to promote her fight, even declining to speak to the UFC's broadcast team after stepping on the scale. The UFC reluctantly agreed to UFC 207 Rousey's back to reclaim her title belt against Nunes By Jon Wilner Bay Area News Group Stanford's final game of this year is, in many respects, its first of next season. The Sun Bowl is more preview than review, and Cardinal fans can thank tailback Christian Mc- Caffrey for providing an unex- pected peek into the program's future. For all the varied reaction to McCaffrey's decision to skip the bowl game — and make no mis- take: the response within the Stanford football community was decidedly mixed — the result of his absence is indisputable. Instead of focusing on one of the greatest players in school his- tory, the spotlight will shift to the role players expected to lead the Cardinal next season, particularly on offense. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Sun Bowl will provide peek into Stanford's future makeup SUN BOWL Friday: Stanford vs. North Caro- lina, 11a.m., TV on CBS. TUNEIN By Chip Thompson editor@redbluffdailynews.com @editorchip on Twitter REDDING The Los Molinos Bull- dogs and Mercy Warriors boys and girls basketball teams re- turned to action Wednesday at the 32nd annual Liberty Classic tournament hosted by Liberty Christian. The Bulldogs (9-2) took an opening win over the Fremont Christian Warriors, 67-61, and moved on to face the Fall River Bulldogs (13-0) on Thursday night. The Lady Bulldogs (7-2) were edged out by the Hayfork Timber- jacks, 65-63, and were scheduled to play the Redding Christian Li- ons (6-3) on Thursday. The Mercy Warriors came up short against the Hayfork Tim- berjacks on Wednesday, 61-42. Marcus Keuchle was named player of the game for Mercy, with 31 points and 17 rebounds; Dart Kingwell had five points and six rebounds and T.J. Frase had four points and three rebounds. The Warriors (1-7) were sched- uled to face either the Quincy Trojans (1-10) or the host Liberty Christian Patriots (0-4) on Thurs- day. The Lady Warriors (0-8) were trounced by the Fall River Bull- dogs on Wednesday, 70-17. They were scheduled to take on the host Liberty Christian Patriots on Thursday. As of 6 p.m. Thursday no scores or stats had been posted for Thursday's match-ups. BASKETBALL Bulldogs win at Liberty Classic Los Molinos girls, Mercy boys, girls fall Sunday: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 1:25 p.m., TV on FOX, radio on 100.7FM TUNEIN 49ERS PAGE 2 RAIDERS PAGE 2 STANFORD PAGE 2 UFC PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, December 30, 2016 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1