SANTA CLARA, Calif. — On his crew’s second offensive play of the sport, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray let the San Francisco 49ers know what sort of day was in retailer.
The fleet-footed quarterback saved it himself on a zone learn, darting 50 yards for the longest run in his profession. However about 40 yards from the top zone, Murray threw up the “peace” signal to let Arizona defenders know nobody was catching him.
“I did not know what [was happening] — if he was celebrating early or what he was doing,” mentioned Cardinals operating again James Conner, who bludgeoned the 49ers for 86 dashing yards of his personal. “However I used to be like, ‘Rating.’ And that is what he did. He is quick sufficient to try this.”
Murray knew very early on within the run that he was going to attain.
“I knew as soon as Elijah [TE Elijah Higgins] bought the block and I cleared these two dudes, I used to be gone,” Murray mentioned. “There’s not that many occasions you are able to do that within the NFL. So to have the ability to lastly hit a long term was good.”
In line with Subsequent Gen Stats, Murray reached a pace of 21.27 mph on the play, the quickest pace by a quarterback over the previous eight seasons. The QB’s pace actually had Tom Brady oohing and aahing on the FOX broadcast.
The Cardinals performed with the sort of swagger and bravado Murray confirmed on that tone-setting play, preventing again from a 10-point deficit within the fourth quarter to earn a formidable 24-23 victory over final season’s Tremendous Bowl runners-up.
In line with FOX Sports activities Analysis, it is the primary time underneath Kyle Shanahan that the 49ers misplaced after holding a double-digit lead within the remaining quarter, breaking a 38-0 file.
Murray was the catalyst, finishing 19 of 30 passes for 195 yards and a landing, together with operating for an additional 83 yards and a rating. For his effort, Murray acquired the Tom Brady LFG Participant of the Recreation.
After remarking about Murry’s blistering pace, Brady advised the QB: “Preserve being that nice chief that you’re. I am actually happy with you.”
Tom Brady’s LFG Participant of the Recreation: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray
Brady described Murray and the Cardinals as exhibiting a variety of resiliency and character in preventing again. They snapped a four-game dropping streak towards San Francisco and gave head coach Jonathan Gannon his first victory over the 49ers. Brady additionally pointed to Gannon as a cause Arizona hung within the recreation.
“I respect that,” Gannon mentioned. “But it surely’s not about me. It is concerning the gamers and the coaches, what I imply? And we have got a great group in there. We’ll get pleasure from this one, after which it is on to Inexperienced Bay.”
Murray’s accolade comes three weeks after being named certainly one of Tom Brady’s 3 Stars for Week 2. Linebacker Zaven Collins, who was a part of an Arizona protection that held Brock Purdy and San Francisco’s explosive offense to zero factors within the second half, mentioned his group gained confidence from the best way Murray and the offense performed.
The 49ers completed 1-of-6 within the purple zone and turned the ball over thrice. And whereas the protection bent however did not break, Murray saved the offense buzzing.
“He will get us out of so many conditions that generally sure offenses cannot get out of along with his toes and operating means — and likewise placing the ball in sure areas,” Collins mentioned of Murray. “We get to see it every single day, however while you return and watch the movie, it is actually loopy throws.”
The Cardinals beat the 49ers at their very own recreation, bullying San Francisco on the line of scrimmage and turning the sport right into a slugfest within the second half.
“We got here out right here and we battled,” mentioned Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White, who sealed the victory with a game-clinching interception on the ultimate defensive possession of the sport. “We bought punched within the mouth at occasions, however we saved punching again and finally got here out with the win.
“I am positively happy with my guys and I really feel prefer it may nonetheless be quite a bit higher.”
Together with among the best groups within the NFL, the Cardinals additionally needed to battle the blistering warmth and the adversity of not having beginning kicker Matt Prater out there due to a knee situation. As an alternative, Chad Ryland, signed to the apply squad this week, began in Prater’s place.
Issues didn’t go properly early, as Ryland had a 45-yard subject purpose blocked by San Francisco defensive lineman Jordan Elliott and returned 61 yards for a rating by Deommodore Lenoir. Nevertheless, Ryland transformed subject objectives from 30 and 42 yards, and the game-winner from 35 yards with 1:37 left.
That drive for Ryland’s profitable kick included Murray changing a fourth-and-5 from Arizona’s 40-yard line by discovering rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. on an out route for 14 yards to maintain the drive alive. The Ohio State product completed with simply two receptions for 36 yards on seven targets — however he got here up clutch when Arizona wanted him to make a play.
“That simply reveals you the boldness and belief [I have in him],” Murray mentioned. “On fourth down, who am I going to with a one-on-one? I belief Marvin to win.”
At 2-3 on the 12 months — 2-0 within the NFC West — the Cardinals have the identical file as San Francisco (2-3) and sit only a recreation out of first place within the division behind the Seattle Seahawks (3-2).
A variety of that has to do with the electrical playmaking means of Murray.
“To come back in right here and beat an awesome crew just like the 49ers is a good way to bounce again,” Murray mentioned. “I am happy with the fellows. We fought for 60 minutes. It was a hell of a win.”
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, masking the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Comply with him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
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