Arizona Cardinal quarterback Kyler Murray (1) outruns San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom (left) in the first half at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Oct 7, 2024 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The San Francisco 49ers (2-3) were looking in control in their game against the Arizona Cardinals (2-3) leading at the half 23-10. Two interceptions and a fumble later the 49ers found themselves on the losing end of this game 24-23.
The 49ers were unable to score the entire second half while the Cardinals scored in both the third and fourth quarters. Brock Purdy finished the game with 244 yards and 33 yards rushing but it was the two interceptions that hurt the 49ers.
Game recap: San Francisco took the early lead in the first quarter 10-7. Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray got the first score of the game, a 50 yard rush for the touchdown, the extra point was good and Arizona had a 7-0 lead.
Jake Moody who was able to play after being listed as questionable kicked a 28 yard field goal at 10:25 but the Cardinals retained the lead 7-3. As the opening quarter began to wind down Brock Purdy connected with George Kittle for four yards, the touchdown and their first lead of the game 10-7.
Arizona tied up the game early in the second quarter when Chad Ryland made a 30 yard field goal 10-10. San Francisco would score three times in the second quarter. In the later minutes of the quarter Jake Moody kicked a 20 yard field goal and the 49ers had a 13-10 lead.
At 4:59 San Francisco blocked a field goal which was recovered by Deommodore Lenoir for a 61 yard romp and the touchdown and the 49ers had extended their lead 20-10. San Francisco’s kicker Jake Moody left the game in the late second quarter after tackling an Arizona returner Deejay Dallas and suffering an ankle injury.
He was carted off to the locker room after limping off the field. As the clock ran out on the first half of football, San Francisco kicked a third field goal courtesy of punter Mitch Wishnowsky, a 26 yarder giving the 49ers a 23-10 lead going into the locker room at the half.
San Francisco was unable to score in the third quarter but the Arizona Cardinals Chad Ryland kicked his second field goal of the game a 42 yarder that was good and the Cardinals trailed by ten, 23-13.
The Cardinals really got a nice drive going in the fourth quarter driving deep into San Francisco territory with a first and goal on the San Francisco two yard line. There was a time-out called when Arizona’s Will Hernandez was hurt and helped off the field.
The Cardinals got back to work via a Kyler Murray two-yard pass to Elijah Higgins for two yards and the touchdown. The two-points conversion attempt was good and it was a two-point game 23-21. With a lot of time left on the clock, over 11 minutes left in the game, there was new life for Arizona.
The 49ers went back to work putting together a great drive via the pass and the rush driving deep into Cardinal territory for a first and goal. When it looked like the momentum was all San Francisco, running back Jordan Mason fumbled recovered by Arizona with 6:11 left on the clock.
The Cardinals got a rushing drive going looking to not only score but also burn the clock driving down to the San Francisco 23 yard line at the two-minute warning. San Francisco had allowed a monster Arizona comeback. The Cardinals were unable to score a touchdown but got closer for the kick attempt. Arizona settled for a 35 yard Chad Ryland field goal taking a 24-23 lead with 1:37 left in the game.
There was still plenty of time left on the clock for the 49ers to get within field goal range. That was when disaster struck; Arizona blitzed and Brock Purdy got the pass off but it was intercepted by Arizona and that was the ball game. When it didn’t look very good for the Cardinals in the second half, Arizona fought back to win the game by a single point 24-23.
It was a rough day for San Francisco running back Jordan Mason who finished the game with 89 yards and nine yards receiving. The 49ers receiving core of Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle had impressive numbers. Aiyuk finished with 147 receiving yards and Kittle had 64 yards and one touchdown.
Game notes: Sunday afternoon the 49ers faced the Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium couldn’t get their third win of the season after opening the season with a win over the New York Jets followed by a couple of losses to the Vikings and the Rams.
They come into this game after a week four win over the New England Patriots to the tune of 30-13. San Francisco’s kicker Jake Moody was questionable but it was decided that he was be able to play Sunday. Christian McCaffrey who is still out is hoping for some good news over the next few weeks. He has rested for two weeks and now will now start hitting the rehab harder than previously.
The 49ers now have two weeks before they could have the option to play him. In week seven San Francisco will be taking on the Kansas City Chiefs and there is hope that McCaffrey may be ready to re-join the team.
He will be eligible but will he be ready, will it happen. His calf and achilles issues have lingered keeping him out of the entire pre-season and every regular season game since then. San Francisco has a short week taking the field in week six on Thursday Night Football taking on the Buffalo Bills and now the question is will McCaffrey remain inactive.
McCaffrey is back in practice and it has been reported that he is feeling well in those practices. Until then, Jordan Mason has taken over the majority of the snaps out of the backfield and he has been solid. He is doing a bang-up job for the Niners.
With a 2-3 record, the 49ers look ahead to their short week and a Thursday night matchup with Gino Smith and the 3-1 Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:15 PM at Lumen Field in Seattle.
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