Game Recap – WFT at 49ers (Phoenix)

Final Score: WFT 23, 49ers 15

December 13, 2020

By Noonefromtampa

Game Summary

First Quarter

Washington won the toss and elected to defer. The 49ers were able to put together a 6 play, 33 yard drive to open the game with a 9 yard run by Deebo Samuel (who reinjured his hamstring on the play) and a 16 yard reception by Kendrick Bourne on pass from Nick Mullins. The WFT defense stiffened at midfield and forced the 49ers to punt. Washington had a 3 and out on its first series gaining only 6 yards. Tress Way boomed a 58 yard punt. In their next series, the 49ers went 5 plays for only 11 yards, ending with a Chase Young sack of Mullins. Steve Sims Jr. returned the 49ers punt 22 yards to give WFT good field position. The Washington offense was able to only move the ball 25 yards, with 11 yards coming on a J.D. McKissic first down jaunt. The drive petered out at the 49ers’ 35 yard line and Dustin Hopkins missed a 53 yard field goal wide right. The 49ers answered with a 7 play, 52 yard touchdown scoring drive. The key plays were a 17 yard reception by Brandon Aiyuk, 22 yards rushing by Raheem Mostert, and an 11 yard run by Jeff Wilson. Wilson scored the 1 yard touchdown run. Washington went 3 and out, with three straight pass attempts, completing only one for two yards. They then punted to end the quarter.

Score: 49ers 7, WFT 0

Second Quarter

On the 49ers next series, they were able to move the ball 29 yards in 6 plays before getting a false start penalty, putting them in a third down and fourteen situation. Washington played the screen well only allowing a 4 yard gain, forcing a punt. WFT went three and out again, gaining only five yards, with Wes Schweitzer getting injured on the third incompletion. Way punted 48 yards with no return on the fair catch. After a false start penalty on Trent Williams, Kevin Pierre-Louis sacked Mullins for a nine yard loss. The 49ers were not able to generate any offense on this series and had to punt. With decent field position, Alex Smith was able to complete a couple of passes for 24 yards to Terry McLaurin, moving the team 34 yards in total. Hopkins converted the 51 yard field goal attempt after the drive stalled at the 49ers 33 yard line. On the next 49ers series, Young forced a fumble by Wilson, hitting him in the backfield, with Daron Payne recovering the fumble. Smith completed back-to-back 9 yards passes to Logan Thomas and Isaiah Wright. With first and goal, Washington had 2 incompletions and a sack to force a 31 yard field by Hopkins. The WFT defense forced a 3 and out giving the offense plenty of time as during the last two minutes. Washington pickup up a first down but Thomas was injured. Then Smith threw an interception to Jason Verrett on a deep out to Cam Sims. After the turnover, Mullens completed an 11 yard pass to Aiyuk. Then Payne strip-sacked Mullins and Young pick the ball up in stride, racing 47 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers were able to pick up 20 yards on 5 plays on their next series, before being forced to punt. With Smith headed to the locker room with a leg issue, Dwayne Haskins came in to take the kneel down to end the half.

Score: WFT 13, 49ers 7

Third Quarter

Dwayne Haskins started the second half with Smith on the sidelines with a calf injury. He was able to move the team down the field behind good running from Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic. Haskins also completed a 13 yard pass to McKissic and a 12 yard pass to Thomas. The drive stalled at the 49ers 2 yard line, with Hopkins kicking a 21 yard field goal to give Washington 16 straight points. On the 49ers first series of the half, they went three and out thanks to a third down sack by Montez Sweat. After the punt, WFT picked up 27 yards on 8 plays before punting the ball back to the 49ers who fair caught the ball on their own 8 yard line. The 49ers then drove down the field moving 68 yards in 11 plays behind the throws of Mullens and running of Mostert. Then on a simple checkdown to the fullback, Kamren Curl broke on ball, intercepting it and returning it 76 yards for a touchdown.

Score: WFT 23, 49ers 7

Fourth Quarter

Mullins was then able to put together a mistake-free drive, moving the ball 60 yards in 11 plays. Mixing run and pass calls, with the aid of a roughing the passer penalty call on Sweat, Mullens ended with throwing a 6 yard touchdown to Kyle Juszczyk. The two point conversion attempt was good. On the next two series, Washington went three and out, while the 49ers went 4 and out while gaining 26 yards. On the next Washington series, it appeared that Jimmie Ward intercepted Haskins’ overthrow of McLaurin; however, the call was overturned on review because the ball touched the ground. The WFT defense held the 49ers to a three and out on their next series, but was able to punt the ball to the Washington 1 yard line. With poor field position, Washington went three and out. On the 49ers next series, a holding penalty negated a 22 yard catch by Bourne and the drive ended with a turnover on downs. Washington wound the clock down to 8 second and with the punt, only one second was left. The Washington defense stopped the 49ers last play multi-lateral attempt to score.

Score: WFT 23, 49ers 15

The Numbers

Points off turnovers: 49ers 0, Washington 17

Punts forced by Washington defense: 9

Turnovers: 49ers 3, Washington 1

Winning Streak: 4 games

Key Injuries

Wes Schweitzer – returned to game

Logan Thomas – returned to game

Alex Smith (calf)

Deebo Samuel (hamstring)

Fred Warner (concussion)

Heroes and Goats

Chase Young, dominating game – Hero

Daron Payne, forced fumble, fumble recovery – Hero

Kamren Curl, pick 6 – Hero

Dwayne Haskins, still very inconsistent – small Goat