49ers openly debate if Guerendo sacrificed TD on long run vs. Seahawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SEATTLE — There is debate among 49ers players and coaches about whether or not rookie running back Isaac Guerendo intentionally went down before reaching the end zone on his 76-yard run late in Thursday night’s 36-24 win over the Seahawks.
The 49ers, leading by five points, had the ball on their own 19 with 1:39 remaining in the game, and they called a first-and-10 run for Guerendo, who burst through the right side and down the sideline before going down at the Seahawks’ 5.
“I’m sure he was fast,” Guerendo said of Seattle cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was the closest defender in pursuit and credited with the tackle on the play. “But I kind of had it in my mind once I looked to the sideline and everybody was like, ‘Get down,’ so I had to make a business decision.”
“I had to make a business decision.”
Isaac Guerendo maintains he went down purposely on his long rush after some locker room controversy 😅 pic.twitter.com/mKtIx1pFzM
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 11, 2024
Guerendo took another shot at the end zone with 1:24 left for what would have been his first NFL touchdown, but he was pushed back for a 1-yard loss. On the next play, fullback Kyle Juszczyk carried the ball 6 yards into the end zone to stretch the 49ers’ lead to 12 points and seal the win.
“I don’t know if he slid down by himself or not,” Juszczyk said of Guerendo with a wry smile. “I think he did. But, man, what a way to end the game. I definitely owe him. I definitely owe him. The thing is, I don’t care if he was trying to go down or if he got caught. I got in there, so I appreciate him.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan simply was happy the 49ers’ offense was able to ice the victory at Lumen Field, but he also gave credit to Witherspoon, who appeared to keep Guerendo out of the end zone.
“Hell no, we want him to score,” Shanahan said of Guerendo with a laugh. “I don’t…
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