49ers Super Bowl notebook: rushing attack, George Kittle’s game, Richard Sherman honors Kobe
There’s no doubt that San Francisco 49ers’ chances hinged upon their running backs.
And midway through the second quarter, their run game started rolling. The Niners marched 80-yards down the field to score their first touchdown, primarily on the legs of Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman.
Their commitment to the run would set up a play-action, 15-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
But as the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes got going late in the fourth, the Niners’ running game was essentially rendered useless.
A quiet Kittle
Someone put an APB out for George Kittle.
The All-Pro tight end was virtually nonexistent in the first half, catching only one of his two targets for 11 yards. He finished with four receptions for 36 yards.
To his credit, he did have a 42-yard catch called back for offensive pass interference.
Kittle, who led the Niners in targets, receptions and receiving yards during the regular season, seemed to have conceded his role in the offense to rookie sensation Deebo Samuel. The receiver had five catches for 39 yards along with 59 rushing yards.
Richard Sherman sports Kobe Bryant jersey to game
If you’re looking to make great plays on the game’s biggest stage, there might not be a better person to channel than the Black Mamba.
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman rocked a Kobe Bryant No. 8 All-Star jersey to Hard Rock Stadium prior to the Super Bowl.
Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others were killed last Sunday in a helicopter crash.
THIS & THAT
Offensive assistant Katie Sowers became the first woman and openly gay coach to appear in the Super Bowl.
Deebo Samuel’s 32-yard rush was the longest by a wide receiver in Super Bowl history. The previous high was Percy Harvin’s 30-yard rush in Super Bowl 48.
Kyle Juszczyk touchdown was the first scored by a fullback in the Super Bowl since Mike Alstott in Super Bowl 37.
This story was originally published February 2, 2020 at 11:01 PM.
