Tag: Sports radio

Cal Bears Football podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal and Pac 12 trying to stay a step ahead of Covid infections

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Cal Bears quarterback Chase Garbers (7) and the Bears will have to wait another week before they get another shot at playing as Sat Nov 7th’s game was canceled due to a unnamed player coming up positive for Covid-19 (file photo from California Golden Blogs)

Morris on the Cal Football podcast:

#1 Morris their has to be very little doubt when the NCAA season starts each school looks forward to it’s opening game and the Cal Bears were no exception but it certainly had to be a major disappointment for the players, coaches, alumni and faculty that their game at Berkeley against Washington had been canceled.

#2  An unnamed player tested positive for Covid-19 leading up to Saturday’s game, there also one other Pac 12 game that was canceled Arizona at Utah due to an outbreak. How safe are the protocols in the Pac 12 for the players?

#3 There were three Pac 12 players who fought for stricter and safer Covid-19 protocols before the season was to even be considered, Cal players Jake Curhan, Valentino Daltoso and Josh Drayden were drivers in the Pac 12’s “We Are United” campaign.

#4 Also players have been in the fight for a share of the Pac 12 revenue and more safe and health issues. The issue has developed into a bill of rights by former Stanford football player and Sen Cory Booker D-NJ and backed by nine Democratic senators.

#5 The Bears will try it again as they travel to Arizona State for Saturday’s game. The Sun Devils lost a close game to the USC Trojans 28-27. ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 134 yards and a touchdown. Set Saturday’s game up for us with the Bears at ASU.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: NBA Season to Begin December 22 –Without Fans–

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media during a presser announcing the 2022 NBA All Star game would be held in Cleveland. Silver, the owners and the Players Association this week has agreed on playing a 72 game schedule starting Dec 22 (file photo from cleveland.com)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

NBA and the Players Association set their opening of the 2020-21 season for December 22. It will not be in January, as both sides discussed another starting date. This is the fastest season-to-season turnaround in history for the NBA.

The LA Lakers won the title over the Miami Heat on October 11 that was the last game of the season. By starting on December 22, it means they will be back in less than three months. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this is in fact the quickest turnaround in history from one season to the next among all major professional leagues in the United States.

–72 game season. Not the regular 82 games as usual.

–Training camp will open on December 1.

–Playoffs middle of May until July

–Where they play. Teams to play in their home markets

–Traveling. There will be travel, but it will be cut by 25%, limiting the coast-to-coast traveling

–Players and staff will be tested daily for Covid-19

— Fans. Doesn’t look like fans will be allowed. It is a good bet thatCovid-19 will still be around by this December.

Precautions for players: Usually the biggest danger of virus contamination doesn’t happen on the court, but when players are not on the court. It will take lots of discipline by everybody in the sport to abide by all protocols.

Where will the Toronto Raptors play? Just like in baseball, when the Toronto Blue Jays were not allowed to play because Canadian government rules trying to control Covid-19 and they played in Buffalo, New York, it looks the same might happen with the NBA Toronto Raptors. Buffalo is also interested in hosting the Raptors. At this time, also Newark, New Jersey and Kansas City, Missouri.

Since spring some of the United States giant pharmaceutical companies like Johnson & Johnson and others as well as around the world have been working on a vaccine for Covid-19. Some have trials going on right now, with the hopes of getting it approved and out into the public. However, with 330 million people we are not a country that can vaccinate everybody in a couple of months, so patience is paramount.

Stay tuned and stay well.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the former Spanish radio voice for Golden State Warriors basketball and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sounders four second half goals doom Earthquakes 4-1 on Decision Day

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The Seattle Sounders were an offense machine in the second half of their game against the San Jose Earthquakes scoring four times to defeat San Jose at Century Link Field in Seattle on the final day of the regular season Sun Nov 8, 2020 (photo from soundersfc.com)

by Marko Ukalovic

SEATTLE, Wash.-In a match that did not have playoff implications, the Seattle Sounders scored four goals in the second half to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon at Century Link Field.

The “Decision Day” match was more about playoff positioning as both teams had already punched their ticket to the Audi 2020 MLS Playoffs.

San Jose was without Jackson Yueill, Andy Rios and Carlos Fierro due to a combination of yellow card accumilation and injury. Shae Salinas , Luis Felipe and Cade Cowell started in place for head coach Matias Almeyda.

The first half featured both teams going through the motions with sloppy play as neither team played aggressive and waited for counter attacks to happen on a cold, windy day. Only three total shots were attempted in the first 45 minutes.

Seattle forward Jordan Morris had the best chance to score when his initial shot and rebound attempt were both saved by Quakes goalkeeper J.T. Marcinkowski in the 38th minute.

The Sounders (11-5-6 1.77) broke through in 52nd minute. Nicolás Lodeiro came rushing into the middle off of his own free kick where he collected the ball and fired a shot past Marcinkowski into lower left corner form eight yards out for his seventh goal of the season.

Seattle doubled its leads two minutes later. Cristian Roldan set up Raúl Ruidíaz, whose shot went off the leg of Marinkowski into the back of the net for his team leading 12th goal of the season.

“We always try to prepare to compete and win. I think discounting the goals, the game was good. If we had taken advantage of our chances in the first half as they did, this would have been a different match. The difference is that they capitalized on their chances and we did not. Nonetheless, it makes me happy to see Cade Cowell be able to play 90 minutes, as well as seeing the other youngsters come on. It was a good game and we still came here to compete,” Almeyda said.

San Jose (8-9-6 1.30) cut the lead in the half in the 57th minute. After Cristian Espinoza won a free kick on the outside of the box, Marcos López bent one in like Beckham with a left footed shot from the right wing that fooled Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei for his second goal of the season.

Seattle received an insurance goal in the 74th minute when Lodeiro, after a turnover by Florian Jungwirth, returned the favor and set up Morris whose chip shot over an incoming Marcinkowski gave him his 10th goal of the season.

The Sounders iced the game six minutes later when Morris’ centering attempt deflected off López into the back of the net for an own goal to close out the scoring.

Frei finished the match with two saves to earn the victory. Marcinkowski also made two saves in the losing effort.

The Quakes now await the date and time of its first round match with Sporting Kansas City, who finished atop of the Western Conference.

“I think this team has shown a lot of character,” said Tommy Thompson on the team’s ability to bounce back after a tough loss. “We’ve gone through great moments this year. We’ve gone through extremely difficult moments as well, but there’s a belief in this group that whoever is on the field can get the job done. We’re going to learn from our mistakes today. Seattle is a great team, and they made us pay. We’ve got to make sure that we’re going to be as sharp as we can against Kansas City, and this game is a good reminder that against the top teams in this league, you can’t take your foot off the gas pedal for one minute. It’s a tough way to end the season, but we’ve accomplished a lot. We’re definitely going to have a short memory going into Kansas City. We’ll be full of confidence and ready to go in a couple weeks.”

GAME NOTES: Both teams each had four corner kicks.

Reno 1868 FC, the USL Championship affiliate of the San Jose Earthquakes, this past Friday announced it would cease operations following the 2020 season.

“We would like to thank everyone at Reno 1868 FC for their hard work and commitment to success over the past four seasons,” said Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli. “Whether it be developing future First Team players or giving our current First Team players valuable minutes on loan, Reno has greatly impacted and proudly represented the Earthquakes organization. We are currently in the process of reevaluating our player development pathway.”

Reno was awarded a USL franchise in 2015 set to begin play in 2017. Through four seasons, Reno recorded a record of 62-26-28 and earned a playoff berth in all four campaigns under head coach Ian Russell, who was named the USL Championship Co-Coach of the Year.

The Earthquakes held a 6-3-1 record over their last 10 matches, tied for the best record in the Western Conference during that span, while keeping four shutouts.

Homegrown defender Nick Lima made his 100th MLS appearance, starting and playing 90 minutes. He became the second Homegrown Player in Quakes history to reach 100 regular season appearances, following Tommy Thompson.

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Two Pac 12 games canceled for openers; NBA 72 game season opens Dec 22; plus more

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The Pac 12 cancelled two games Saturday Washington @ Cal and Arizona @ Utah due to Coronavirus outbreaks the Pac 12 will not reschedule these games. (photo from sports.yahoo.com)

On Headlines with Daniel:

1. More pandemic issues in college football: Wisconsin and Stanford; Pac-12 cancelled two games to start season Washington @ Cal and Arizona @ Utah.

2. NBA players’ union agrees to 72-game season to start on December 22

3. Commissioner Manfred says negotiations between Minor League Baseball and MLB have ‘slowed down’

4. Mets new owner wastes little time in cleaning house

5. Sacramento Kings name ESPN veteran Mark Jones to replace Grant Napear on TV play-by-play

6. Jon Lester buys over $47,000 worth of beer as a parting gift to Cubs fans

Join Daniel Dullum for Headline Sports each Sunday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ducks roll past Cardinal in Pac-12 opener 35-14; Mills out due to positive Covid test

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The Oregon Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough throws against the Stanford Cardinal defense and earned 227 yards and one touchdown at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Sat Nov 7, 2020 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, November 7, 2020

Oregon scored 28 unanswered points over nearly two quarters Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., as the Ducks rolled over Stanford 35-14 in the Pac-12 football opener for both schools.

The Cardinal (0-1) were without starting quarterback Davis Mills, who was held out of the lineup after testing positive for COVID-19 and, according to the school, having to adhere to pandemic protocols.

Defensive end Trey LaBounty and wide receiver Connor Wedington were also missing from the Stanford lineup on Saturday due to COVID-19 protocols. Wedington tweeted that he tested negative, but was contact traced.

Jack West filled in for Mills and completed 13 of 19 passes for 154 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions. Austin Jones led the Cardinal rushers with 100 yards on 20 attempts and both Stanford touchdowns. Nathaniel Peat added 93 rushing yards on six carries.

Michael Wilson caught four of West’s passes for 35 yards, while Brycen Tremayne and Simi Fehoko each caught three passes for Stanford.

Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough completed 17 of 26 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Shough also carried 11 times for 85 rushing yards and a TD.

CJ Verdell was the top rusher for Oregon, finishing with 105 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Travis Dye ran six times for 78 yards.

Shough’s top targets were Johnny Johnson III and DJ Johnson. Johnny Johnson caught four passes for 60 yards and DJ Johnson snared five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Stanford scored first on Jones’ 4-yard TD run at 4:13 of the first quarter. From there, it was all Oregon (1-0).

The Ducks tied the game at 7-7 with 1:36 left on Verdell’s 10-yard touchdown run. Oregon surged ahead to stay late in the second quarter, when DJ Johnson caught a 5-yard TD pass from Shough.

Rushing touchdowns in the third quarter by Dye (14 yards) and Shough (9 yards) put the Ducks up 28-7. Jones’ 2-yard scoring run cut Stanford’s deficit to 28-14 at 8:27 of the fourth quarter, but Oregon’s Cyrus Habibi-Liko scored on a 4-yard run, extending the Ducks’ lead to 21 points with 4:12 left.

Stanford returns home next Saturday to host Colorado (1-0). Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m.

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Things only get tougher for San Francisco as they head to New Orleans

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The Green Bay Packers running back Tyler Ervin (32) gets caught from behind in mid air by San Francisco 49ers free safety Jimmie Ward (20) during the first half of Thursday Night Football at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News Photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 With so many injuries and as predicted the 49ers struggled throughout last Thursday Night Football in Santa Clara against the Green Bay Packers.

#2 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 291 yards and one touchdown and one interception and struggled to get the 49ers any scoring in the second and third quarters where they were shutout in those frames.

#3 Jeremiah, one season brings a whole different change as the 49ers beat the Packers twice with a combined total score of 74-28 but this year with the injuries the 49ers who trailed by most of the game with only a field goal until the fourth quarter looked to have a long season ahead of them.

#4 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he knew this game was going to be a challenge and losing three players to Covid on Wednesday only impacted things going into Thursday Night Football.

#5 The 49ers have even a tougher challenge with the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome this Sunday. The Saints are expected to be a tough customer this Sunday as they have won four straight and have home field.

Join Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders have big Covid protocol issues and fines to match too

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Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden on the sidelines during Sun Nov 1, 2020 game in Cleveland against the Browns in the second half (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders who were fined Thursday by the NFL for violations regarding the Raiders Trent Brown’s coronavirus protocol violations were billed $500,000 and head coach Jon Gruden was fined $150,000.

#2 The Raiders were also stripped of a top draft pick because of the mishandling of Brown’s positive test. The Raiders do take a lot of pride on their selection of draft picks having the draft taken away how do you see that impacting them for their future?

#3 The Raiders are the first team in the NFL that have been penalized by losing a draft pick also the league gave the Raiders the stiff penalty because they already were scrutinizing Damon Arnette who was already was a positive.

#4 On Oct 19th Brown didn’t wear a mask and was found to be positive the next day Oct 20th and that forced four other starting offense players to also go into quarantine as they were high risk factors.

#5 The Raiders (4-3) are in Los Angeles to play the Chargers who are (2-5) the Chargers have lost five of their last six games. The Raiders are coming off a big win in Cleveland  Rich set this game up for us.

Join Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball Is Cheating Rewarded?

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AJ Hinch gets a new lease on life after spending the 2020 season suspended from the Houston Astros scandal. Hinch will be at the helm for the Detroit Tigers for 2021. (photo from the Detroit Free Press)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Alex Cora was hired by the Boston Red Sox as their new skipper for the next two years running through 2022 with a two-year club option for the ’23 and ’24 seasons. In 2017 Alex Cora was the bench coach for the World Champion Houston Astros.

Because of a coordinated cheating of signs, he was suspended for a year, together with manager A.J Hinch as well as General Manager Jeff Lunow, who is a very good General Manager, proficient in Spanish who sat with us during a few innings of a broadcast, a few years ago as the Astros visited Oakland.

Alex Cora’s suspension expired immediately after Dodgers eliminated the Rays in this most recent World Series. Cora also assumed the manager’s position (during that 2017 cheating season with the Astros) every time manager Hinch was ejected; which was in three occasions. To refresh our memories: The 2017 Astros team won the West with 101-61 record, 21 games over second place LA Angels. A’s finished in last place, 26 games behind. Then the Astros took the World Series from the Dodgers. Obviously, the cheating paid off.

Not a surprise Cora is returning to Boston, he is well regarded by the Boston Red Sox organization. As a rookie manager Cora guided the Red Sox to 108 victories and a World Series title in 2018. However, the next season (2019) under Cora, the club ended with a 84-78 record, in third place 19 games behind the NY Yankees.

The most famous baseball scandal was that of the 1919 World Series, between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds, most well known as The Black Sox Scandal. In 1920 four players admitted to a Grand Jury they had thrown the 1919 World Series in return from a bribe by a gambling syndicate led by Arnold Rothstein and his associates.

A total of seven players were involved. “Eight Men Out” is an excellent movie about that most famous scandal. 1920’s and 2020, are two different planets in baseball. The highest paid player in 1920 was the great Ty Cobb, $20,000 a season with the Detroit Tigers. The Detroit Tigers franchise in 2020 is worth an estimated $1.25 billion.

Major League teams have the right to hire whomever they want, they are a private business and that is their right. And, granted, Cora won a World Series as Manager of the Red Sox and nobody accused the Red Sox of cheating that year.

However, I would think that the memory of the 2017 Houston Astros cheating and winning a World Series, still very much fresh in our minds. In a way looks like you can cheat and wait a couple of years and you are back in the game. I do not want Alex Cora suspended for life, that would be ridiculous, but coming back this soon? I do not think is a very good look for Major League Baseball. The wounds are not healed yet.

If there is cheating inside an organization, the most culpable are those in charge, from the top down, General Manager, to the Field Manager, then the players, and in some instances, maybe even the owner. During these times, owners are not that involved with what happens down on the field.

Unlike the days of black and white television, and prior, where some owners were really “hands on” with the teams. Not that very long ago, owners that come to mind are Charlie O. Finley with the Kansas City and Oakland A’s and George Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees, those were hands-on owners, they were really bosses with lots of passion for the game and they were not shy to show it.

Back in the days of the Black Sox Scandal, things were different, teams were mostly owned by families with certain affinity to the game and not big corporations like today. Not to mention a record that will never be broken, that of the Owner and Manager of the Philadelphia Athletics for over 50 years. Connie Mack who won 3,731 games, tops in major league baseball, he also played prior to his managing-owner years and never wore a uniform while managing, famous for his white straw hat.

“Cheating is baseball’s oldest profession. No other game is so rich in skullduggery. -Thomas Boswell.

Stay tuned and stay well.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: From the start the 49ers didn’t even have a chance against Green Bay

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) throws against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half on Thursday Night Football Nov 5th at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara (mercurynews.com photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe in Thursday Night Football the San Francisco 49ers looked like they didn’t even have any skin in that game a 34-17 loss to Green Bay on both sides of the ball?

#2 The 49ers defense struggled they couldn’t stop Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers who looked like he had all night to throw and that first half showed he was in control.

#3 After three quarters Rogers already had four touchdowns thrown there was little the defense could do to stop Rogers and the Packers from converting in the air like they did.

#4 The 49ers Nick Mullens struggled all night and didn’t get a touchdown pass until the fourth quarter and was looking for a receiver in the first three quarters and had a tough time trying to convert a touchdown even when they got in the red zone.

#5 The 49ers go back to the drawing board and prepare to face the New Orleans Saints (5-2) and Drew Brees has been leading the team well the offense has been getting scores will the 49ers struggle again as they face the Saints in New Orleans Sun Nov 15th?

Join Joe for the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aaron Rodgers throws 4 TDs in Packers’ 34-17 crushing of the 49ers

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The Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers (center) gets a huge congratulations from wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, bottom left, after throwing a second half touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football Nov 5th at Levis Stadium Santa Clara (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif — The Green Bay Packers came to Levi’s Stadium last season and were defeated handily, including a 17-point loss in the NFC Championship Game in January.

Things were totally different this time around, as the Packers came into an empty Levi’s Stadium and defeated the injury-plagued 49ers 34-17 Thursday night in front a nationally televised audience.

The loss drops San Francisco to 1-4 at home this season.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers dissected the 49ers, completing 26 of 31 passes for 305 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions with a passer rating of 147.2 in the game.

Rodgers put the Packers up 7-0 on their opening drive of the game with a beautiful 36-yard touchdown to wide receiver Davante Adams’ back-shoulder down the left sideline beating 49ers cornerback Emmaunel Moseley. The score capped off a six-play, 75-yard drive for the Packers, who are the only team this season to score on all of their opening possessions.

Adams finished with 10 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown.

Following a 22-yard Robbie Gould field goal to cut Green Bay’s lead to 7-3, Rodgers added his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard toss to a wide open Marcedes Lewis to push the Packers lead to 14-3 midway through the second quarter. The tight end was left uncovered in the end zone by a 49ers defense that had trouble applying pressure to Rodgers.

With the 49ers at midfield on the ensuing drive, quarterback Nick Mullens throws a terrible pass in the flat intended for running back Jerick McKinnon that was intercepted by safety Raven Black. Black’s interception would setup Rodgers’ third touchdown in the first half, a 52-yard bomb to a streaking Marquez Valdes-Scantling down the middle of the field putting the Packers up 21-3 shortly before halftime. Valdes-Scantling was able to race by safety Marcel Harris and Rodgers dropped the football in his lap.

In the second half Rodgers would pick up where he left off, connecting with Valdes-Scantling again on a 1-yard score to put the Packers ahead comfortably 28-3. It was Rodgers’ fourth score of the game and Valdes-Scantling’s second touchdown on the night.

Rodgers would retreat to the bench in the fourth quarter with the Packers comfortably ahead, 34-3 and replaced by rookie Jordan Love.

Running back Aaron Jones, who was questionable coming into to the game with a calf issue, rushed for 58 yards on 15 carries and hauled in five catches for 21 yards.

For Mullens and the 49ers (4-5): they got sledgehammered by a better team and quarterback tonight.

Green Bay took advantage of a depleted 49ers squad that was playing without starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, tight end George Kittle, running back Raheem Mostert, wide receivers Deebo Samuel, rookie Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne, left tackle Trent Williams, cornerback Richard Sherman, and defensive ends Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas among others.

Mullens, who also lost a fumble, completed 22 of 35 for 291 yards and a touchdown in his first start for San Francisco since Week 4’s 25-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Aside from the two turnovers by Mullens, he connected with wide receiver Richie James for a 41-yard touchdown down the right sideline to make the score 34-10 with five minutes left in the game.

James took full advantage of the 49ers’ shortage of wide receivers, posting nine catches for 184 yards and a touchdown. It was the most yards for James in either of his first two seasons in the league (130 yards in 2018, 165 yards in 2019).

After allowing Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook to rumble for 163 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries, Green Bay held San Francisco to just 55 yards on the ground. McKinnon led the 49ers with 52 yards on 11 carries and a late touchdown.

Defensively for San Francisco, it was the second-straight week surrendering 30+ points and four touchdown passes in a game.

The NFL’s sixth-ranked defense allowed 405 yards of total offense to Rodgers and the Packers after allowing 350 yards to the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson in Week 8’s 37-27 loss.

And it doesn’t get any easier as they will face future Hall of Famer in Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans in Week 10 on Nov. 15.

Middle linebacker Fred Warner led the 49ers with a 13 tackles, while fellow linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Jaquiski Tartt finished with seven tackles each. Tartt left the game shortly before halftime with a foot injury. Although he was listed as questionable to return to the game, Tartt was ruled out in the third quarter.

Tartt was in his first game back after missing the last three games with a groin injury.