San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffery leaps off an Arizona Cardinals defender on his to way a touchdown at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday OCT 1, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

Christian McCaffery set a franchise record on Sunday.

McCaffery scored four touchdowns for the San Francisco 49ers who dominated from start to finish in a 35-16 blowout victory over the Arizona Cardinals in an NFC West divisional showdown on Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.

The All-Pro running back set a new 49ers record for scoring a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, breaking the old mark of 12 set by Jerry Rice, when he scored his first rushing touchdown with 9:07 left in the first quarter on a one-yard scamper that completed an eight play 62-yard opening drive.

San Francisco has started the season 4-0 for the first time since 2019. Arizona dropped to 1-3 on the season.

McCaffery and the 49ers offense had its way with Arizona as they dominated the line of scrimmage that allowed for a fun day on the field. San Francisco went up 14-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Brock Purdy pitched the ball back to McCaffery who rushed 18 yards for his second rushing touchdown.

After a Matt Prater 38-yard field goal, the 49ers marched back down the field on a five play 75-yard drive that concluded with Purdy connecting with McCaffery on a six-yard touchdown reception to give San Francisco a comfortable 21-3 lead.

“Yeah, it would’ve been nice”, said McCaffery with a laugh when asked if had campaigned to get a fifth touchdown late in the game. “He’s (49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan) obviously got a lot going on in-game. That’s the last of anyone’s worries to do that. So as long as we scored, I was happy.”

Arizona ended the first half when quarterback Josh Dobbs hooked up with rookie wide receiver Michael Wilson on a 16-yard touchdown reception with 23 seconds left in the second quarter.

The Cardinals forced a three and out on the 49ers first possession of the second half. San Francisco punter Matt Wishnowsky pinned Arizona at their own 1-yard line.

Dobbs then led an 11 play 99-yard scoring drive down the field that chewed up 4:12 off the clock. Dobbs connected once again with Wilson for their second straight touchdown reception, an eight yarder to cut San Francisco’s lead to 21-16. They failed on the two-point conversion.

McCaffery put the game away for the 49ers early in the fourth quarter when he run for his third touchdown of the game and fourth overall with a two-yard run. McCaffery finished the game with 177 all-purpose yards with 106 on the ground on 20 carries and 71 through the air on seven catches.

“He’s a freak. He does everything for us. He can run the ball, run routes out of the back field, line up a receiver (and) run routes. So, we’re thankful for him. All you gotta do is get the ball to him and he does the rest,” Purdy said.

Purdy completed with the scoring with 1:59 left in the game when his one-yard quarterback sneak up the middle for his second rushing touchdown of the season. Purdy finished 20 of 21 for 283 yards to go along with his one passing touchdown and no interceptions. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk led all receivers with six catches for 148 yards.

Dobbs finished 28 of 41 for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown led the Cardinals in receiving with seven catches for 96 yards. Running back James Connor chipped in with 52 yards on 11 carries.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 3-for-5 on third down conversions. Arizona went 8-for-15.

San Francisco has won 14 consecutive regular season games, their second longest streak in franchise history.

Purdy set the 49ers’ single-game record for completion percentage (20 of 21) at 95.2 percent. Previous record (20+ attempts) was Steve Young, 1991 vs. Detroit (18 of 20) 90 percent.

UP NEXT: San Francisco hosts the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football 10/8 at 5:20pm at Levi’s Stadium.