‘Young guys’ enable Eagles to end slide
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A couple of unlikely players helped deliver the Philadelphia Eagles their first win of the season.
Former Old Dominion standout Travis Fulgham caught a go-ahead 42-yard touchdown pass from Carson Wentz with 5:50 remaining, and Alex Singleton returned an interception for a score to lift the Eagles (1-2-1) to a 25-20 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night.
“It’s a huge relief. Big team win,” Wentz said. “It’s fun to see these young guys step up and make plays in big moments like this.”
The Eagles were backed up with a second-and-18 from the 42 after rookie backup quarterback Jalen Hurts botched a shotgun snap. But Fulgham got past backup cornerback Dontae Johnson, and Wentz delivered a perfectly placed pass for the score that gave Philadelphia an 18-14 lead.
Nick Mullens then threw an interception that Singleton returned for a TD on the next drive for the 49ers (2-2), who were sent to their second loss in as many home games. Singleton had played only 11 defensive snaps coming into the game.
Mullens committed three turnovers, including losing a fumble on a stripsack by Cre’Von LeBlanc that Malik Jackson recovered to set up the go-ahead score. Former Virginia Cavaliers safety Rodney McLeod had an interception for Philadelphia.
Mullens went 18 for 26 for 200 yards and one touchdown before being replaced by C.J. Beathard following his third giveaway.
“We had plenty of opportunities. I really just didn’t execute,” Mullens said. “That’s what it comes down to. Three turnovers, 14 points off turnovers.”
Beathard led a late TD drive and got the Niners to the Eagles’ 33 before his desperation heave fell incomplete in the end zone on the final play.
The Niners are hoping to
get starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back next week from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for two games.
Rookie Brandon Aiyuk hurdled his way to a 38-yard touchdown run on a lateral from Mullens, and George Kittle had a career-high 15 catches for 183 yards and a score to lead the Niners.