Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers and 49ers traded blows all night in a back-and-forth affair inside Levi’s Stadium.
With the score tied 16-16 in the fourth quarter, the Chargers stopped the Niners on a fourth down attempt in what seemed like a momentum-shifting play. However, rookie UDFA quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw an interception to San Francisco linebacker Curtis Robinson who returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.
Then, after being forced into a three-and-out by the Chargers defense, the Niners punted back to LA with 3:33 left. UDFA wide receiver Luke Grimm muffed the reception — his second of the night — the 49ers recovered. Two plays later, the Niners found the end zone on a 22-yard pass to all but put the game away.
In the end, it was enough of a lead for the 49ers to hold on to an eventual 30-23 victory over the Chargers in the 2025 preseason finale.
Uiagalelei played most of the game and finished with 170 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception. Raheim Sanders led the backfield with 13 carries for 48 yards. Dalevon Campbell was tops on the team with four catches for 73 yards. Oronde Gadsden and Luke Grimm each caught touchdowns.
Defensively, linebacker Marlowe Wax was a standout with six tackles, one tackle for loss, and a strip sack. Edge rusher Garmon Randolph also posted a sack.
The Chargers now move on to final cuts and then it’s all eyes on Week One against the Chiefs in Brazil on September 5th.
First Quarter
The Chargers offense began the game on offense but could not manage to move the chains on their opening drive. Lance lofted a deep pass to Derius Davis up the right sideline on third-and-three, but the ball was just out of the reach of what could have been a splash play.
Both teams traded punts all throughout the first period. On the 49ers’ punt in the waning seconds of the quarter, Chargers UDFA wide receiver Luke Grimm muffed the kick and San Francsico was able to recover as the clock hit zero.
Second Quarter
On the first play of the quarter, 49ers quarterback Tanner Mordecai found veteran receiver Demarcus Robinson on a corner route for the game’s first points. With just seconds off the clock in the second, the Niners led 7-0.
The Chargers finally found a groove on offense with a 10-play, 43-yard drive that took over seven minutes off the clock. On a second-and-two at the San Francisco 31-yard line, the snap was dropped and Heinicke was sacked for a six-yard loss. Then, rookie Branson Taylor was called for a false start while lined up at right tackle.
Heinicke found JaQue Jackson for a 13-yard gain on third-and-18 before Cameron Dicker converted on a 52-yard kick to make it 6-3.
On the third play of the ensuing 49ers drive, UDFA Marlowe Wax blitzed through the B gap and smacked Niners quarterback Carter Bradley to force a fumble that was recovered by teammate Caleb Murphy. Two plays...
