Aiyuk has made his mark in rookie year
Brandon A iy uk did more than just mimic Terrell Owens on Sunday in Dallas.
With nine catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, the 49ers’ rookie receiver continued his ascent in the team record book.
His 59 receptions already are the most by a 49ers rookie wide receiver — Earl Cooper had 83 as a running back in 1980 — and he has two games left to surpass some mighty big names.
For instance, with 104 yards, Aiyuk will eclipse Jerry Rice’s rookie record of 927. Sunday, the firstround draft pick (25th overall) moved past Gene Washington and Dave Park ls. With 733 yards, he is behind only Rice and Deebo Samuel, who had 802 receiving yards last season.
Aiyuk has scored seven touchdowns in his 11 games. The only 49ers rookies with more are Roger Craig (12, 1983) and Cooper (nine, 1980).
His touchdown catch Sunday was on a jet toss from Nick Mullens on fourth-and-goal from the 2 late in the first half. After that score, Aiyuk celebrated by stretching his arms and gazing skyward. Except for the fact that he did it in the endzone, rather than sprinting to the Dallas star at midfield, it was reminiscent of Owens’ controversial celebration during a game in Dallas in 2000.
Also, T.O. did it twice. Aiyuk hasn’t had a multitouchdown game. All five of his receiving touchdowns have come in the past seven games, with his two rushing touchdowns coming in Weeks 3 and 4.
Incidentally, Owens began his Hall of Fame career in 1995 with a rookie season that included 35 catches for 520 yards and four touchdowns.