George Kittle scores in 100th game
Sunday’s game was the “People’s Tight End’s” 100th career game, and he made his presence known in the milestone game. Kittle caught every pass thrown to him in the first half, making five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. His highlights in the first half included a 25-yard pass on the 49ers’ second offensive series and a 7-yard touchdown pass that put the 49ers on the scoreboard in the second quarter. He caught two more passes for 20 yards in the second half.
Jordan Mason running back
With All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey now on the injured list, the third-year running back is San Francisco’s next man up for the foreseeable future. Mason surprised everyone with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown in his first start against the New York Jets and delivered another notable performance in Minnesota. Mason rushed for 100 yards on 20 carries and scored another score. His 10-yard touchdown in the third quarter tied the game at just one point with just over ten minutes left in the game.
Punter Mitch Wishnowsky’s first-quarter punt was blocked by Minnesota safety Theo Jackson and returned 37 yards to set up the Vikings at San Francisco’s 24-yard line. The 49ers defense ultimately held the Vikings back with a key pass breakup by safety George Odum in the end zone, but secured three points on a 22-yard field goal by kicker Will Reichard.
Later in the third quarter, cornerback Isaac Yiadom saved the 49ers from losing a possession after a botched punt. The veteran cornerback recovered the loose ball amid a crowd of special teams players from both sides, allowing San Francisco to keep possession and start their offense at their own 13-yard line.
Fred Warner causes two turnovers
With the 49ers trailing 10-0 in the second quarter, All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner made the crucial play they needed to revive both sides of the ball. Warner intercepted a pass from Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold in the red zone and returned it 25 yards to put San Francisco in position at their own 35-yard line. The interception was Warner’s first of the year, and the 49ers were able to capitalize on the loss and score their first touchdown of the day on the ensuing drive.
Warner caused a second turnover in the third quarter by knocking the ball out of Vikings running back Aaron Jones’ hands in the red zone. Yiadom was able to recover the loose ball again, giving the 49ers possession. San Francisco’s offense took control at the one-yard line.
Defensive front stacks the sacks
Defensive lineman Nick Bosa got into the game twice against Darnold, both times for a loss of five yards. His first sack came with a minute left in the first half and helped slow the Vikings’ momentum on their final drive of the second quarter. Minnesota only managed a field goal on that drive. Bosa’s second sack came midway through the third quarter, securing a three-and-out for the 49ers defense. Bosa was injured later in the third quarter on a Vikings running attempt, but was able to re-enter the game in the fourth quarter. Warner and defensive lineman Kevin Givens also added sacks in the fourth quarter, giving the group a total of four sacks in Week 2.
