"Jonathan Stewart's first football game in the Northwest since he played at the University of Oregon got off to a great start.

The Carolina running back and Timberline High School graduate ran for 73 yards and a touchdown in the first half against Seattle on Sunday at Qwest Field. The lowly Panthers, who had won just once this season, led the Seahawks 14-3.

That's when Stewart's happy homecoming ended. Seattle rallied after halftime, defeating Carolina, 34-14.

The third-year pro finished with 92 yards and a touchdown on a season-high 21 carries. During the game the 5-foot-10, 235-pound Stewart showed the same speed and strength his high school coach Kevin Young remembered seeing at Timberline when he ran for 7,755 yards and became the state's all-time leading rusher.

"He's playing against guys that are bigger and stronger, but he's obviously gotten better," Young said. "He's more mature, but still the same type of runner. Still impressive.""