Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY

A20 SPORTS
Saturday 3 November 2018
Mullens has sterling debut in

49ers 34-3 win over Raiders

By JOSH DUBOW change under the big lights in this room is way better
AP Pro Football Writer and these circumstances,” than that and way better
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) cornerback Richard Sher- than what we portray on
— Nick Mullens got several man said. “We’re not really the field.”
hundred congratulatory surprised. We’ve seen him UNDER PRESSURE
text messages, a phone do it in practice. He plays Carr was sacked four times
call from Brett Favre and his with a lot of confidence.” in the first half for the first time
Twitter account verified. With Garoppolo out for the in his career as the Raiders
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens throws a pass Delivering the most pro- season and Beathard hav- struggled to provide much
against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football ductive game by a quar- ing lost nine of 10 career protection against a 49ers
game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. terback in his NFL debut starts, the inevitable ques- defense that has not gen-
Associated Press since the merger leads to tion will be whether Mul- erated much pressure all
many accolades. lens will take over as starter year. Dekoda Watson had
Mullens threw for 262 yards for the next game Nov. 12 1 1/2 sacks in his first game
and three touchdowns and against the New York Gi- of the season after getting
the San Francisco 49ers ants. “We’ll definitely con- activated from IR earlier in
thoroughly dominated the sider it,” coach Kyle Shana- the day.
Battle of the Bay, beating han said. “I’m definitely not RING CEREMONY
the Oakland Raiders 34-3 thinking about it right now. Former Niners receiver Ter-
on Thursday night. Our whole team played rell Owens was presented
The former undrafted free very well. They definitely his Hall of Fame ring at a
agent out of Favre’s alma did.” halftime ceremony. Owens
mater Southern Mississippi The Raiders (1-7) clearly was voted into the Hall of
finished 16 for 22 in place didn’t, losing for the fourth Fame earlier this year but
of the injured C.J. Beathard straight time, getting out- skipped the induction cer-
and had a 151.9 passer rat- scored by 85 points during emony in Canton, Ohio, to
ing, the highest for a quar- the skid. hold his own celebration at
terback with at least 15 “I know it’s not looking pret- his college in Chattanoo-
attempts in an NFL debut ty right now,” coach Jon ga, Tennessee. Owens said
since the 1970 merger. Gruden said. “I’ve heard he was upset at the voters
“I think I’m here for a rea- a lot of negativity over the who made him wait three
son. This is my opportunity last six, seven months and years for the honor, saying
to prove that I can play,” rightfully so. But we’re go- he believed they brought
Mullens said. “Today’s ing to build a champion- in off-field issues into their
thing was just attack your ship football team here.” deliberations instead of fo-
job and worry about what In what was perhaps the cusing solely on what Ow-
matters. What mattered worst prime-time matchup ens did as a player.
most tonight was the team in NFL history, only the Raid- “This is awesome,” Owens
and how we played.” ers played down to ex- said before the game. “This
The Niners (2-7) couldn’t pectations. They provided is an opportunity to give
have played much bet- little resistance on defense something to the fans. Ever
ter in snapping a six-game against an undrafted quar- since I left in 2003 and went
losing streak and winning terback making his NFL de- on and did some great
for just the second time in but, did nothing offensively things, but this is where it
two years without Jimmy after driving for as field started my first eight years
Garoppolo at quarterback. goal on the opening drive of my career.”
Mullens threw TD passes to and put together the most INJURIES
Pierre Garcon and Kend- listless performance yet in Raiders left tackle Kolton
rick Bourne on the open- Gruden’s second stint as Miller left with a knee in-
ing two drives and con- coach. jury. ... Mostert broke his
nected on a 71-yard one- Carr finished 16 for 22 for forearm in the third quarter
handed catch-and-run 171 yards and was sacked and will miss the rest of the
play to George Kittle to set seven times before being season.q
up a third TD pass to Kittle. replaced by AJ McCarron
Raheem Mostert added in the fourth quarter. Mc-
a 52-yard TD run and the Carron was sacked once
defense generated eight behind a banged-up of-
sacks for the first time since fensive line.
2009. “It’s a frustrating thing to
But the story of the game be sitting on the record you
was Mullens, got rid of the have, be going through
ball quickly and took ad- some of the things we’re
vantages of several break- going through as an of-
downs in coverage for big fense and still not being
plays, including the 24-yard able to put points on the
TD pass to a wide-open board,” tight end Jared
Garcon on the opening Cook said. “It’s definitely
drive. frustrating because we
“It was cool that he didn’t know the talent we have