Martinez Tribune The website of the Martinez Tribune.
BY DANIEL GLUSKOTER
A late Kansas City touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the game gave the Chiefs a 19-16 win over the 49ers in a preseason opener for both teams at Levi’s Stadium that marked the professional debut of Trey Lance, the third overall pick in the draft.
Rookie San Francisco quarterback Trey Lance looks to launch a pass in his NFL debut Saturday night, a 19-16 preseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi’s Stadium.
With the playing time of starting quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Patrick Mahomes each limited to their opening series, the game quickly transitioned into a showcase for rookies and numerous fringe players fighting to make their team.
Lance didn’t make the fans at the game, the first able to attend a Niners game due to Covid since a January 2020 playoff game against the Vikings, wait long to make a significant first impression. On the first play of his second series he connected with Trent Sherfield for an 80-yard touchdown pass that traveled over half of the way in the air.
While the rookie from North Dakota State opened some eyes with his arm strength, his night was far from perfect as he finished 5-14 for 128 yards without an interception, but he found himself consistently pressured behind the Niners second-string line and was sacked four times.
San Francisco safety Talanoa Hufanga puts a hit on Chiefs receiver Byron Pringle during the second quarter of an NFL preseason game in Santa Clara Saturday evening.
“It was super exciting,” Lance said after the game. “Kind of the moment you dream of scoring your first touchdown. Even though it’s preseason, it’s pretty cool. With my teammates, the guys in that locker room, that they were so excited for me and for Trent making that play. It was for sure a special moment and I wish I could’ve capitalized on the opportunities that came after that.”
Niners defensive back Deommodore Lenoir, a rookie out of Oregon, breaks up a pass intended for Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson during Kansas City’s 19-16 preseason win over San Francisco.
“There was some good and some bad. By no means was it perfect. Definitely missed a couple.” Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game. There was a couple spots that could’ve gone to different places. Sometimes a couple balls that sailed on him that he would like to have back, but he also came out pretty good, too – making the right plays, getting the right spots. I think he had a couple drops there, especially on a third down that I think he could’ve kept the drive going if we had caught it. It was a good first day. I didn’t want it to go perfect for him. There’s some things he could learn from and there’s a lot of things we can go over tomorrow.”
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes prepares to throw a pass during the first quarter of Kansas City’s preseason opener against the 49ers. The 2019 NFL MVP only played the opening series before getting the rest of the night off.
Josh Rosen, attempting to make the team as it’s third-string quarterback, relieved Lance and went 10-15 for 93 yards while throwing an interception. JaMycal Hasty led the 49ers on the ground with 63 yards on ten carries including a long of 21 yards. Trey Sermon, a third-round pick out of Ohio State added 26 yards on nine carries.
San Francisco linebacker Jonas Griffith celebrates a defensive stop against the Chiefs Saturday evening.
Next Up for the 49ers is a trip south to Los Angeles to play the Chargers at SoFi Stadium Sunday the 22nd at 4:30PM.
