Beathard Throws For Career-High 298 Yards But 49ers Fall To Chargers, 29-27

by Andrew Pasquini – Sports 1140 KHTK

The San Francisco 49ers were in a position to win on Sunday but an untimely interception cost them late against the Chargers. CJ Beathard impressed completing 23-of-37 passes for a career-high 298 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, one of which was with 2:38 remaining in the game, putting a potential game-winning drive to rest.

The 49ers started the game with a quick 14-0 lead after an interception return for a touchdown by Antone Exum Jr. on just the third play of the game and then a 2-yard touchdown pass from Beathard to Kendrick Bourne. The Chargers answered with a seven play, 75 yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers to Antonio Gates but Caleb Sturgis missed the point after attempt, ending the first quarter with a 14-6 score.

There would be no scoring in the second quarter until the 5:02 mark when Robbie Gould would hit a 21-yard field goal, putting the 49ers up 11. The Chargers wouldn’t allow the 49ers to score again until late in the third quarter, putting together four consecutive scoring drives. With 53 seconds remaining in the half, Rivers would find Austin Ekeler on a 22-yard touchdown pass but failed the two-point conversion. The Chargers then forced the 49ers into a three-and-out in just 34 seconds and Desmond King would return the punt 56 yards, setting up Caleb Sturgis for a 48-yard field goal end the first half with in a 17-17 tie.

The 49ers started the second half with their second straight three-and-out and the Chargers took advantage, going 51 yards in six plays, scoring on a 6-yard pass from Rivers to Melvin Gordon. The 49ers responded by putting together a five play, 82 yard drive, helped by two roughing the passer penalties. With the ball at the 15-yard line of the Chargers, Beathard attempted a pass to Garrett Celek that hit the tight end in the hands and bounce into the hands of Trevor Williams who would return the interception 86 yards, setting up the Chargers for another field goal, putting them up 26-17. It took two plays for the 49ers to respond when Beathard found George Kittle for an 82-yard touchdown pass, putting the 49ers within one score once again.

Gould hit another field goal, this time from 33 yards out, to start the scoring in the fourth quarter but that would be the last time the 49ers scored on Sunday as the Chargers responded with a 21-yard field goal the next drive, giving themselves a 29-27 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The 49ers had a chance to win the game late but Beathard would be hit as he threw, losing the ball into the arms of Isaac Rochell. All it took from there was one first down and the Charger then would run the clock out, picking up their second victory of the season.

Quick Hits

• It was another bad week of injuries for the 49ers. Dante Pettis had to be carted off the field after a first quarter punt return with a knee injury and Joe Staley also injured his knee in the second quarter. Neither would return to the game and head coach Kyle Shanahan had no updates on either after the game. Staley is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.
• CJ Beathard went down early in the fourth quarter and had to be helped off the field. He confirmed after the game he had the wind knocked out of him and he didn’t miss a play.

Next week

The 49ers will play their second home game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals fell to 0-4 on the season, losing to the Seahawks 20-17.

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