NEWS » chart behind Peters. Cooper showed flashes in 20

SEATTLE -- Chris Petersen is always recruiting, although his pitch so far this season has been focused on a different group.Its been directed at the fans of No. 8 Washington in the hopes of getting people to show up for a non-conference schedule thats less than appealing despite the Huskies (2-0) having their highest ranking in 15 years.Im excited about this team and I know our students arent here yet, but I just really hope that the fans, that they come out for this game and they see this, Petersen said. Its an awesome group to coach. Its going to be an interesting season, I really think that. Thats what I hope.The conclusion to Washingtons uninspired non-conference slate comes Saturday when the Huskies host FCS Portland State. On the heels of wins over Rutgers and Idaho , the Vikings arent exactly the most appealing appetizer before Washington begins conference play.Of course, there is a beacon on the horizon: the Huskies host No. 7 Stanford on Sept. 30 in a game that could be significant in determining the Pac-12 North champion and the first game after classes are back in session at Washington. That game likely will be a sellout, but for this week, Petersen is still being a promoter.Back when this thing was really rolling, it was irrelevant for the most part who was on the schedule; people just came to watch them play, Petersen said. And I think thats so much of the storied history of this program when you talk about the greatest setting. All these fans come and enjoy this.Portland State (1-1) is closing out two straight weeks facing FBS competition. The Vikings were routed 66-33 at San Jose State last week. But if Petersen has any concern the Huskies may be looking ahead, he just needs to remind his team of what Portland State did last year winning at Washington State and at North Texas.Portland State coach Bruce Barnum holds the Huskies in high regard .Well be able to play a team that I bet you will be in the national championship game at the end of the year, Barnum said.Heres what else to watch in the non-conference finale for both teams:JAKE IS GREAT: Washington QB Jake Browning has taken a significant step forward from last year -- at least for two games. Browning is leading the Pac-12 in pass efficiency rating and has thrown eight touchdowns with just one interception. With Brownings growth, the big play has returned to Washingtons offense. The Huskies already have six offensive touchdowns of 20 or more yards.DUAL THREAT: Portland State quarterback Alex Kuresa is a dual threat in the backfield. Kuresa rushed for 123 yards in the Week 1 win over Division II Central Washington, but struggled last week against San Jose State. Kuresa was held to 29 yards rushing and was just 10 of 22 passing for 135 yards and three interceptions.But hes not the only option in the Portland State backfield that can run and throw. Paris Penn is listed as a quarterback but is more of a multipurpose player for the Vikings. Penn rushed for 137 yards against San Jose State and is the Vikings leading rusher on the season but has not thrown a pass.RUNNING NOWHERE: Washingtons run game has sputtered to begin the season. That hasnt been a problem because of Browning and the passing game, but its an aspect the Huskies offense needs to improve. Myles Gaskin has just 124 yards rushing in two games and the Huskies are averaging 108.5 yards on the ground. Last year, the Huskies averaged 164 yards.Portland State could be the perfect remedy. The Vikings gave up 409 yards rushing to San Jose State last week.CREATE CHAOS: When Portland State pulled its upset of Washington State last year, it forced a pair of key turnovers, part of the 28 takeaways the Vikings had for the season. Through two games this year, the Vikings have yet to force a turnover. Creating takeaways may be the only way Portland State can hang around with the Huskies. Steve McNair Titans Jersey .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Eddie George Titans Jersey .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. http://www.authentictitanspro.com/Ryan-tannehill-titans-jersey/ . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. Bruce Matthews Womens Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Ryan Tannehill Womens Jersey . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The reality of injuries sustained in the NFL can be harsh.When a player like Phillip Gaines suffers a serious injury, theres never a guarantee a spot will still be available upon his return. The Chiefs third-round draft pick out of Rice in 2014 worked into a starting role by the end of his rookie year and reassumed that position last year.A torn ACL suffered in Week 3 during a loss to the Packers ended Gaines season and clouded his future.Gaines left offseason activities as the presumed second starter at cornerback opposite 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year Marcus Peters. Gaines and Steve Nelson have split time on the right side with the first team so far in training camp, and Gaines clearly fits into the Chiefs plans.It just feels good to be able to have the opportunity to play, and Im going to try and make the most of it, Gaines said.The Chiefs listed Nelson, a third-round pick out of Oregon State in 2015, as the second starter in the first depth chart released earlier this week.Gaines continues to slowly work back from the knee injury, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid limited his participation in Wednesdays practice, the last one in pads ahead of the preseason opener against Seattle on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium. Reid said he would attempt to play everyone on the roster, and the early portion could provide a first look at how the Chiefs deploy the cornerbacks alongside Peters, who grabbed eight interceptions and returned two for touchdowns in his first season.The Chiefs cornerbacks corps took a hit in the offseason when Sean Smith left in free agency for the Oakland Raiders, leaving a starting spot open, with Gaines, Nelson, Marcus Cooper and a trio of rookies looking to earn playing time. None of those seven players has more than three years of experience.Real talented group. Weve just got to come along, Peters said. Thats what camp is for. As camp goes on, everyone gets a lot more comfortable and the speed of the game slows down and you start making your plays. I love the talent. Everyones out here competing.Gaines started his career in Kansas City with a prominent role on special teams. He started five games in 2014 before a concussion and illness ended his season after 13 games.With Smith suspended the first three games of 2015, Gaines earned a starting spot. But his season ended in the game before Smith retturned.ddddddddddddHe has 26 tackles and no interceptions in his first 16 NFL matches.Nelson didnt play much early in 2015, but Gaines injury and other struggles in the secondary helped him get on the field in 12 games. His biggest moment came in a playoff win against the Houston Texans when he briefly subbed for Peters and broke up a pass intended for star wideout DeAndre Hopkins.Coaches have shown a preference to use Gaines in the slot, making him a potential fit as a nickel defender rather than the No. 1 cornerback on the right side.Despite having only eight tackles to his credit, Nelson could quickly move into that starting role, and coaches and teammates like his fiery attitude and emotional style. Nelson has admitted disappointment with not playing more as a rookie, but Reid has confidence he is ready to assume a much larger role.Hes an energy giver, that kid, Reid said. Hes learning all the fundamentals and technique and battling like crazy. He never gives up on a play. Hes got a short memory.Cooper currently has the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Peters. Cooper showed flashes in 2013 with three interceptions, but struggled in 2014 and made just two tackles in 10 games last year.The rookie draft picks sit behind the top four attempting to make their case for a spot in the rotation.KeiVarae Russell (third round, Notre Dame), Eric Murray (fourth round, Minnesota) and D.J. White (sixth round, Georgia Tech) were all taken to add depth at a seemingly thin spot. Currently, Murray and sixth-year veteran defensive back Jamell Fleming, who has played some cornerback the past two years with Kansas City, are listed at safety on the depth chart.Peters, Gaines and Nelson look like the only guaranteed contributors at cornerback, but the depth could be important -- a lesson the Chiefs learned last year while rotating through a multitude of looks.Nothings set in stone until the games here, and from game to game it can change, too, Gaines said. I got hurt last year. At the blink of an eye someone else had to come in. You always have to be mentally prepared to take every rep even if youre not on the field so when you are put in, we just keep it moving.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '