9ERS RALLY PAST BOLTS
By Liz Alper
Photos courtesy Jamaal LaFrance
September 3, 2016 (San Diego) - For the last week of preseason, the San Francisco 49ers traveled to Qualcomm amidst a hotbed of controversy surrounding quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem. Tonight, Kaepernick, Eric Reid and Nate Boyer did not stand for the national anthem on Military Appreciation Night.
The 9ers took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a one yard run by DuJuan Harris.
But in the second, the Chargers tied it up on a touchdown from Naval reserve Chargers player Chris Swain. The extra point from Josh Lambo gave the Bolts the lead at 7-6. But right at the end of the first half, Phil Dawson’s 32-yard field goal was good and the 9ers hopped over the Bolts 9-7.
But the Chargers went right back to work in the second half with a touchdown by Kenneth Farrow, good for six yards and the Chargers led 14-9. With seven minutes left in the third, Marc Bercovici threw a nice pass over the middle to Isaiah Burse for a 17-yard touchdown reception. The extra point was good and the Chargers took a whopping 21-9 lead.
The 9ers got another one in to make it a one-score game in the fourth when Christian Ponder QB sneaked the ball in for a touchdown. 21-16 was the score. Ponder did it again after a fumble by Bercovici forced by Marcus Rush to give the visitors the lead. The two-point conversion was good and the 9ers led by a field goal, 24-21, with three minutes left in the game. They added their third touchdown of the quarter with a 10-yard run by Kelvin Taylor to give the 9ers a 31-21 win. The Chargers finish the preseason 1-3.
The Chargers start the regular season next Sunday at 10:00 a.m. against the Chiefs.