quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers scrambles against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after intercepting pass intended for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
wide receiver Jalen Guyton #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 hands off to running back Wayne Gallman #22 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles for yardage against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles for a two point conversion, but the play is called back on a foul against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers scrambles for yardage against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers scrambles against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
wide receiver Jalen Guyton #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs for yardage against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers scrambles against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
running back Justin Jackson #22 of the Los Angeles Chargers can’t reach a pass over running back Eli Mitchell #49 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
defensive back Brandon Facyson #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers kneels prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers scrambles against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
San Francisco 49ers fans cheer on their team in the first half of a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Fans look on in the first half of a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
linebacker Uchenna Nwosu #42 of the Los Angeles Chargers pressure quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Easton Stick #2 hands off to running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by typer San Francisco 49ers defense in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
head coach Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
tight end Charlie Woerner #89 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for a first down over safety Mark Webb #29 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Los Angeles Chargers fans cheer on their team against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cornerback B.W. Webb #23 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for first down against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
defensive back Tevaughn Campbell #20 of the Los Angeles Chargers intercepts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
head coach Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Easton Stick #2 to wide receiver Josh Palmer #5 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a touchdown in the end zone against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
wide receiver Jalen Guyton #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
wide receiver Trent Sherfield #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for first down against linebacker Nick Niemann #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu #18 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass for a touchdown in the end zone against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
tight end Stephen Anderson #82 of the Los Angeles Chargers can’t reach a pass in the end zone over running back Eli Mitchell #49 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Fans look on in the first half of a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
defensive back Tevaughn Campbell #20 of the Los Angeles Chargers intercepts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
quarterback Easton Stick #2 of the Los Angeles Chargers passes against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Fans look on in the first half of a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
wide receiver Trent Sherfield #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass over safety Mark Webb #29 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a first down in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
wide receiver Josh Palmer #5 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts with teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
wide receiver Josh Palmer #5 of the Los Angeles Chargers catches a pass for touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Wide receiver John Hurst #80 of the Los Angeles Chargers stretches with teammates prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
A San Francisco 49ers fan holds up a birthday sign prior to a NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, August 22, 2021. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
INGLEWOOD — Rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has often requested to face Chargers star wide receiver Keenan Allen in training camp practices because it will prepare him for games.
That preparation paid off for the Chargers’ 2021 second-round pick when he matched up against the San Francisco 49ers’ top wide receivers during Sunday’s preseason game at SoFi Stadium.
Samuel has had ups and downs this summer, but his versatility and ball awareness are why the organization is excited for his future.
That was on display for Samuel’s first NFL interception when he recovered on a play that he was behind on by being at the right place for Jimmy Garoppolo’s tipped pass in the first quarter.
There were more defensive highlights than offensive for the Chargers during the error-filled exhibition. The 49ers defeated the Chargers 15-10 in front of an announced attendance of 68,327.
49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk couldn’t catch Garoppolo’s high pass, but Samuel was there for the takeaway inside the red zone. The rookie from Florida State ran with teammate Mark Webb and took off his helmet to celebrate with the crowd.
Samuel got an earful from Chargers coach Brandon Staley for being behind Aiyuk on the route and getting an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taking off his helmet. It’s a learning process for Samuel, but he flashed his high potential on the memorable highlight.
Samuel had one of two first-half interceptions for the Chargers. Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell picked off 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance on a tipped pass during the second quarter.
Campbell, Samuel and Brandon Facyson are competing for the Chargers’ second outside cornerback position for defensive plays with three or more cornerbacks on the field. Samuel played at slot and outside cornerback versus the 49ers.
Lance, the 49ers’ third overall pick in this year’s draft, had a quarterback duel with his former teammate at North Dakota State, Easton Stick, who started for the Chargers. Lance replaced Garoppolo for the 49ers’ second drive.
Stick had his struggles in the first half, but recovered with a 3-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Josh Palmer to give the Chargers a 7-2 advantage with 5:49 in the second quarter. Later, Stick threw a pretty pass to wide receiver Jalen Guyton for a 39-yard connection that set up Michael Badgley’s 50-yard field goal for a 10-2 lead with 57 seconds left in the first half.
Lance showed flashes of his upside on his final drive of the opening half with a 41-yard throw to Trent Sherfield and a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu Sr. to trim the deficit to 10-8 with 12 seconds before halftime. Lance added another touchdown pass in the third quarter with a 16-yard completion to wide receiver Travis Benjamin to take a 15-10 lead.
Lance finished 8 of 14 for 102 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Stick went 10 of 14 for 85 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers.
Many starters for the Chargers didn’t play, including quarterback Justin Herbert, safety Derwin James, edge rusher Joey Bosa and Allen. Bosa’s younger brother, Nick, didn’t play for the 49ers because he’s still rehabbing from the knee injury that sidelined him most of the 2020 season.
Joey Bosa told the TV broadcast he was watching the Chargers’ defensive line closely and was impressed with Kyler Fackrell, who had a sack in the first half. Fackrell is battling with Uchenna Nwosu for the No. 2 pass rusher position behind Bosa.
“He’s been rushing great all game,” Bosa said of Fackrell. “Of course, on the one that he was covering, he gets the sack on. He’s been beating his guy all game. They’ve been doing a great job. Two picks, as well. It’s been awesome.”
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