49ers endure loss to Raiders in preseason opener
Quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers passes over linebacker Amari Burney #56 of the Las Vegas Raiders during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Steve Marcus/Getty Images
2023.08.13 – The 49ers declared Trey Lance the starter last season, but he was done after breaking an ankle in the second game. Brock Purdy (QB1) wound up leading San Francisco all the way to the NFC Championship to earn the starting job for this season.
As part of his audition for the (QB2) backup job, Lance completed an unorthodox 9-yard touchdown pass as the 49ers endure a 34-7 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in their preseason opener.
Lance’s scoring toss looked like a poor decision that should have been a red-zone interception: Cornerback Duke Shelley got both hands on Lance’s throw, bobbled it and then batted it directly to tight end Ross Dwelley, standing a few yards away, caught for Lance’s one touchdown throw.
Lance faced a heavy Raiders pass rush and couldn’t get the offense going early. The 49ers went three-and-out on his first three series.
“That was definitely frustrating,” Lance said. “I put it on myself to be better.”
Lance played the first half and completed 10 of 15 passes for 112 yards, but was sacked four times and had two potential interceptions dropped.
Sam Darnold played most of the second half for the Niners, going 5 of 8 for 84 yards. His receivers did him few favors, however, a fumble after one catch and a drop on another pass turning into an interception.
2023.08.13 (San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders) Game Highlights
Quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers throws against defensive end Jordan Willis #99 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter of a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Ethan Miller/Getty Images
2023.08.13 (San Francisco 49ers vs. Las Vegas Raiders) Game Highlights
Darnold performance included a well-placed 37-yard completion to rookie wide receiver Ronnie Bell down the right sideline on his first pass.
Depending on whether Purdy plays in the second preseason game, against the visiting Broncos on Saturday, Darnold likely will start or be the first QB off the bench as he vies with Lance for the backup spot. Shanahan seemed to reference that, saying he hoped to get Darnold a “little more time next week.”
Shanahan indicated he pulled Darnold before the game got too deep into preseason garbage time to avoid a potential injury.
“I thought he did a great job coming in the second half and you’re in there with (second and third-stringers) on the O-line.” Shanahan said. “ We wanted to be careful with Sam for that reason. But we also wanted him to play, too.”
The 49ers headed home after an extended stay in the Las Vegas area. Both teams practiced against each other Thursday and Friday at the Raiders’ headquarters and largely rested their starters for the exhibition.
“We got two good practices against them,” San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I always like it when you can do that, and we practiced against them real hard the second day, especially with all the (starters). I didn’t enjoy that game by any means today, but a lot of guys got a lot of valuable reps.”
Raiders O’Connell efficient
Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell was known for his efficiency when he was at Purdue, and he even set the school record for career completion percentage.
That same skill was on display Sunday.
O’Connell completed 15 of 18 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.
2023.08.13 – 49ers vs. Raiders (Larry Krueger – Post Game)
Rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell #4 of the Las Vegas Raiders passes over San Francisco 49ers defenders during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Steve Marcus/Getty Images
2023.08.13 – 49ers vs. Raiders (Larry Krueger – Post Game)
2023.08.13 – 49ers vs. Raiders (Larry Krueger – Post Game)
95.7 – Does Sam Darnold Have the Lead over Trey Lance for QB2?
95.7 – Does Sam Darnold Have the Lead over Trey Lance for QB2?
95.7 –Losing Faith In Trey Lance Already?
95.7 –Losing Faith In Trey Lance Already?
“You just kind of hope to go out there and do your best and see what happens,” O’Connell said. “Not worried about the stats. There’s more things than just the stats, especially responsibility in the run game and stuff like that, that I need to improve on. So I know I have a lot of work to go still.”
O’Connell, third on the depth chart behind starter Jimmy Garoppolo and veteran Brian Hoyer, played the first three quarters, leaving Las Vegas up 24-7 and the outcome well in hand.
I thought he generally handled himself well for the first (playing) opportunity,” Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said. “He’s going to learn a lot from some of the things we might have been able to do a little bit better that would’ve helped us maybe sustain a few drives. He soaks it all in, and he’ll take every opportunity to improve.”
2023.08.13 – 49ers vs. Raiders (Lombardi – Post Game)
Quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers escapes a sack attempt by defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. #92 of the Las Vegas Raiders as offensive tackle Nick Zakelj #63 of the 49ers blocks in the second quarter of a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.Ethan Miller/Getty Images
2023.08.13 – 49ers vs. Raiders (Lombardi – Post Game)
2023.08.13 – 49ers vs. Raiders (Lombardi – Post Game)
The Raiders were much more effective, setting the tone from the beginning with a 10-play, 68-yard drive on their first series. Zamir White, who has been receiving first-team snaps in practice with Josh Jacobs out because of a contract dispute, rushed six times for 21 yards and the touchdown.
White played into the second quarter, finishing with 43 yards on 13 rushes.
Strong debut for 49ers rookie draft pick, Ronnie Bell
Bell’s path to the 53-man roster became easier last week when wideout Ray-Ray McCloud broke his wrist, an injury that’s expected to sideline him for the first four regular-season games.
The seventh-round pick had three catches for 58 yards and added a 15-yard run on a reverse. He also appeared comfortable while cleanly fielding five kicks — two punts and three kickoffs — in the first half.
However, Bell also allowed an accurate throw from fourth-string QB Brandon Allen to slip through his hands, resulting in an interception by cornerback Sam Webb, who returned the pick 43 yards to the 2-yard line. The Raiders scored a touchdown on the next play.
“I thought Ronnie did some really good things in the return game,” Shanahan said. “Had a good jet sweep, made some good (catches). His best route was the one he served up to them on the pick. So that was unfortunate.”
UP NEXT
49ers: Host Denver on Saturday.
Raiders: At Los Angeles Rams on Saturday.
Related: 49ers’ QB challenge: Pick the best three, even if Lance is out
Related: See below – 49ers Mostert Epic Dash to Super Bowl!
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
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