BOX SCORE
The 49ers closed out their three-game preseason slate with a back-and-forth 30-23 win over Jim Harbaugh, Trey Lance and the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium.
Linebacker Curtis Robinson’s 32-yard pick-six with 6:06 remaining in the regulation proved to be the difference in the contest.
The 49ers iced the game on a late 22-yard touchdown from quarterback Carter Bradley to wide receiver Terique Owens.
The Chargers scored a late touchdown, but their onside kick was recovered by the 49ers, who took a few knees to put an end to the preseason.
Long before Robinson’s big play and Owens’ touchdown reception, the first eight drives of the game weren’t for the faint of heart, as each ended with a punt, giving new 49ers acquisition Skyy Moore plenty of early work.
San Francisco got on the scoreboard on the first play of the second quarter when quarterback Tanner Mordecai hit wide receiver Demarcus Robinson for a 22-yard touchdown pass.
But 49ers kicker Jake Moody’s inconsistent preseason continued as he missed the extra point, leading to a smattering of boos from the Faithful.
The Chargers answered back with 13 unanswered points to close the first half, aided by Chris Murphy’s fumble recovery on Marlowe Wax’s strip sack of Bradley. Los Angeles converted the turnover into a 25-yard DJ Uiagalelei touchdown pass to Oronde Gadsden II.
The 49ers got back on track in the second half, scoring the only 10 points in the third quarter.
Rookie linebacker Nick Martin forced an early third-quarter fumble that was recovered by defensive lineman Evan Anderson, which set up a game-tying drive by the 49ers.
Mordecai and the 49ers’ offense marched down the field for the touchdown, as Jeff Wilson Jr. ran it in from 5 yards out. This time, Moody converted the extra point try.
Moody gave the 49ers the lead with a 38-yard field goal just before the end of the third quarter. The Chargers tied it early in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker.
The late-game heroics from Robinson and Owens allowed the 49ers to finish the preseason with a 2-1 record.
San Francisco has two weeks off until the regular-season opener against the Seahawks on Sept. 7 in Seattle.
Here are Matt Maiocco’s takeaways from the 49ers’ preseason finale:
Unpredictably, Moody misses PAT
So much for Moody carrying over the momentum from his game-winning 59-yarder of a week ago.
On Moody’s first try since winning the 49ers’ preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he hooked his extra-point attempt outside the left upright from 33 yards. The third-year pro did nail his second PAT attempt to tie the game early in the third quarter, receiving a derisive ovation from the crowd.
But the good times didn’t last long as Moody booted the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving the ball to the Chargers at their own 40-yard line.
Moody did finish on a high note. Overall, he ended the contest 3-of-4 on extra-point attempts and made his only field goal attempt.
But Moody’s inconsistency has to be maddening for the 49ers. He struggled in practices this week and missed the net on a couple of kicks in pregame warmups at Levi’s Stadium.
And, now, general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have a decision to make. A week ago, it seemed as if Moody had guaranteed his spot. The 49ers will probably still keep Moody around to open the regular season, but you have to wonder just how long they will ride with him if his kicks continue to be a roll of the dice.
Moore puts on 49ers uniform
Moore suited up and saw considerable action on just his third day since joining the organization, after arriving in a trade from Kansas City.
Moore is assured a spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster, but they will determine his role for the team’s Week 1 game against the Seattle Seahawks over the next two weeks.
The quickest and easiest way for Moore to get playing time might be as a return specialist. He handled the return chores to open Saturday’s game. He looked comfortable fielding punts, returning three for 16 yards. He also returned one kickoff for 26 yards.
Moore struggled as a rookie with the Chiefs. He was benched early in the 2022 season after losing three fumbles as a return man.
On Saturday, Moore also caught three passes for 19 yards.
Lance leans on Harbaugh
The game marked the return of a couple of prominent 49ers individuals of the past: Harbaugh and Lance.
Harbaugh, in his second season as Chargers head coach, got a warm greeting at Levi’s Stadium, where he was seen chatting pregame with two of his best former players, running back Frank Gore and linebacker Patrick Willis.
Lance, the No. 3 overall pick of the 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, is in his first season with Harbaugh and the Chargers. He hopes Harbaugh can help revive his career.
The 49ers traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys just before the 2023 season when Brock Purdy became entrenched as the starter. Lance appears to have the inside track to be the Chargers’ No. 2 quarterback behind Justin Herbert.
He played the first three series Saturday and completed five of eight pass attempts for 39 yards.
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