San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) gets a pass away to wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) as the Denver Broncos defensive end Matt Henningsen tries to break up the play in second half action of pre season football at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers (1-1) defeated the Denver Broncos (0-2) 21-20, in the closing seconds of Preseason action on the Southside of the Bay Area.

The game started with both starting QBs.(Brock Purdy & Russell Wilson) playing only one series each in the first quarter.

Purdy opened the contest passing for 65 yards (4-6) and set up a 20 yard field goal by Jake Moody. 3-0 SF.

The much maligned Wilson rallied his team with his arm (24) and feet (24), but he also had to settle for a field goal, instead of reaching the end zone. Kicker Brett Maher hit a 48-yarder, tying the contest at 3-3 after 15 minutes of the contest.

In the second quarter, Denver, led by Jarrett Stidham, positioned Maher for another FG (34) to take the lead, 6-3.

The Broncos were on a drive seconds before the half, when Stidham’s 50-yard pass to Jalen Virgil was stopped at the Niners’ one-yard line. Unfortunately for Denver, the halftime horn sounded before they could spike the ball. 6-3 Broncos at the Half.

The third stanza had some paydirt action, as both teams got past each other’s endzones.

The Niners capitalized on the Broncos pre-half miscue, and scored on an 11-yard TD pass to Jack Colletto; however, the extra point was missed by Moody. SF led 9-6 at that point of play.

After the 49ers muffed a punt return, Denver recovered the ball and subsequently scored on a eight-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin. !3-9 Denver is how the third quarter ended.

The final 15 was exciting as Tre Lance was in position to pull off a game winning drive, although Kyle Shannahan had a different plan.

Moody’s foot came into play again, as he converted a 43-yard FG, pulling the Niners within one, 13-12.

However, Broncos’ QB Ben DiNucci tossed a TD pass to McLaughlin, extending their slim lead to eight, 20-12.

Trey Lance got the Santa Clara County crowd excited with his 22-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Latu, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to connect on the two-point conversion, which would have tied the game.

After Denver turned the ball over on downs, the aforementioned TreyFactor Drive happened, but instead of him being the hero of the night with a game-winning TD pass, Shanahan had him down the ball multiple times, to allow Moody to be the MAN.

Moody booted in the 32-yard winner, and the 49ers were the victors, 21-20 on a beautiful Northern California night.

The 49ers are in action again next Friday, August 25, as they host the Los Angeles Chargers at 7pm PDT. The Denver Broncos return to the Mile High City, where they will host the Los Angeles Rams next Saturday, August 26.