By Tim Peterson
(Inglewood) – The Chargers gave up the lead with just over five minutes left in the third quarter and ultimately fell to San Francisco 15-10 Sunday in a preseason game before 68, 327 fans at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers got the ball back late in the fourth quarter but were unable to take advantage.
Neither team scored in the first quarter. Asante Samuel Jr. Intercepted 49er quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in their own territory but the Chargers were forced to punt shortly after. Easton Stick started for the Chargers.
The 49ers broke through in the second quarter when Jordan Willis sacked Stick in the end zone for a safety at the 10:38 mark.
On the next possession Tevaughn Campbell picked off Trey Lance who came on in the second quarter. The Chargers took advantage as Stick capped a 40-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Palmer for a 7-2 lead with 5:49 left in the second.
Late in the quarter Michael Badgley booted a 50-yard field goal with 57 seconds left in the half to make it 10-2. It appeared the Chargers would take that lead into the halftime break.
However the 49ers marched right down the field and Lance found Mohamed Sanu Jr. for a five-yard score. After a holding penalty on a two point conversion attempt Robbie Gould missed the extra point. The Chargers now led by just two, 10-8, at the half.
San Francisco put together an 11-play, 63-yard drive in the third quarter. Lance finished it with a 16-yard strike to Travis Benjamin for a 15-10 49er lead with 5:01 left in the quarter. It was a lead the Niners never relinquished.
The teams exchanged turnovers in the fourth quarter. Chase Daniel was picked off by Jared Mayden but the Chargers got the ball right back when Nate Sudfeld fumbled the snap.
The Chargers had the ball at the 50 with just over two minutes remaining but elected to punt on fourth down. The 49ers were still unable to put the game away and had to kick it back to the Chargers.
The Chargers however had to use all of their timeouts on the Niners possession. They set up shop at their own 21 with 44 seconds left. But after a sack and a short pass they ran out of time.
Stick completed 10 of 14 for 85 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers. Daniels was 14 of 21 for 60 yards and an interception. LA managed just 53 yards on the ground.
Lance was the most effective quarterback for the 49ers connecting on 8 of 14 for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He was also intercepted once.
The 49ers improved to 1-1 on the preseason with the victory while the Chargers dropped to 1-1. They beat the Rams 13-6 last week.
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