The 49ers' defense forced two turnovers in the first quarter with only a field goal to show for it. Cornerback Asa Jackson picked off a deflected pass to start it off but rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard struggled to take advantage as he was sacked on his blind side on a corner blitz during the offense's first red zone trip.
While the secondary gave up several big plays early in the quarter, it held the Chargers from any red zone trips.
The second quarter, however, is when things changed for the 49ers' offense. Rookie receiver Trent Taylor had a showing to start off the quarter with a 40-yard punt return but the biggest play of the game came from the rookie quarterback. Beathard showed off his athleticism as he scrambled in the pocket and somehow outran the entire defense for a 62-yard touchdown run, the first score of the game.
Victor Bolden Jr., another player currently on the roster bubble, might have solidified his spot on the roster with a single play. Bolden made his second return touchdown of the preseason with an impressive 92-yard punt return to put the 49ers up 17–3.
Lastly, the defense caused its third turnover of the game as Dekoda Watson forced a fumble that was recovered by Ray-Ray Armstrong. The turnover would lead to the 49ers' first successful red zone trip with a one-yard run by Tim Hightower to finish the first half with a 23-3 lead. The 49ers go into half time with three forced turnovers and three touchdowns.
Beathard finished the first half going 5-for-9 with 31 passing yards along with three runs for 80 yards, notably his 62-yard scamper. Hightower got the majority of the backfield work with eight carries for 21 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Conversely, Watson and Armstrong led the defense with five tackles each. Watson also added a sack.
Written By:
Justin Wong has been writing for the 49ers Webzone since 2017 while also running an NFC West blog and podcast called Just The West. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to @JustTheWest on Twitter.
All articles by Justin Wong
Justin Wong
Justin Wong has been writing for the 49ers Webzone since 2017 while also running an NFC West blog and podcast called Just The West. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to @JustTheWest on Twitter.
All articles by Justin Wong
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
CFL team eyeing former 49ers first-round pick
Quarterback Trey Lance spent two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys after being traded by the San Francisco 49ers, who selected him third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The move to acquire Lance remains one of the most costly mistakes of the John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan era, as... -
ESPN's GM mock draft has 49ers passing on O-line, D-line in first round
Mike Tannenbaum, a former NFL executive, leaned on his front-office experience in his latest mock draft for ESPN. The former New York Jets general manager (2006-12) and Miami Dolphins executive vice president of football operations (2015-18), now an analyst, took a unique... -
Evan Anderson, Tatum Bethune, Among 49ers Players Named as Breakout Candidates by Team Insider
Matt Barrows, one of the 49ers reporters for The Athletic, is out with a new article looking at "Ben Bartch and 6 other little-known 49ers who could have big roles in 2025." In it, he details which players could break out and help the team compete in 2025, despite having a... -
Former 49ers foe joining 3rd team in 3 years
Russell Wilson's time with the Pittsburgh Steelers lasted just one season. The veteran quarterback, a longtime nemesis of the San Francisco 49ers, is reportedly signing a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the New York Giants, which could rise to $21 million with...