49ers openly debate if Guerendo sacrificed TD on long run vs. Seahawks

49ers openly debate if Guerendo sacrificed TD on long run vs. Seahawks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SEATTLE — There is debate among 49ers players and coaches about whether or not rookie running back Isaac Guerendo intentionally went down before reaching the end zone on his 76-yard run late in Thursday night’s 36-24 win over the Seahawks.

The 49ers, leading by five points, had the ball on their own 19 with 1:39 remaining in the game, and they called a first-and-10 run for Guerendo, who burst through the right side and down the sideline before going down at the Seahawks’ 5.

“I’m sure he was fast,” Guerendo said of Seattle cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was the closest defender in pursuit and credited with the tackle on the play. “But I kind of had it in my mind once I looked to the sideline and everybody was like, ‘Get down,’ so I had to make a business decision.”

Guerendo took another shot at the end zone with 1:24 left for what would have been his first NFL touchdown, but he was pushed back for a 1-yard loss. On the next play, fullback Kyle Juszczyk carried the ball 6 yards into the end zone to stretch the 49ers’ lead to 12 points and seal the win.

“I don’t know if he slid down by himself or not,” Juszczyk said of Guerendo with a wry smile. “I think he did. But, man, what a way to end the game. I definitely owe him. I definitely owe him. The thing is, I don’t care if he was trying to go down or if he got caught. I got in there, so I appreciate him.”

Coach Kyle Shanahan simply was happy the 49ers’ offense was able to ice the victory at Lumen Field, but he also gave credit to Witherspoon, who appeared to keep Guerendo out of the end zone.

“Hell no, we want him to score,” Shanahan said of Guerendo with a laugh. “I don’t think he slid. That’s what he’s claiming. I think he got — I think 21’s a fast player, and he got him a little bit there at the end, I think. I’ll see it. You guys saw it. But ended up working out better for us.”

Shanahan was pleased that it forced the Seahawks to use two of their three timeouts on the 49ers’ drive and eventually left Seattle just 1:11 on the clock to attempt a comeback after Juszczyk’s TD.

49ers left tackle Trent Williams has been impressed with Guerendo, noting that running backs coach Bobby Turner has compared the rookie to Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert. The former 49er proved to be incredibly successful under Turner and also now in the same system under Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.

“We’ve all been waiting to see IG kind of turn it loose,” Williams said. “We know he’s a blazer. Reminds us a lot of Raheem Mostert. Bobby T said he’s an eyelash slower, but I don’t know, the kid can run. He said he was going down on purpose, so we’ll give him that.”

Guerendo, who finished with a team-leading 99 yards on 10 carries Thursday, could see an increased role when the 49ers return to action Oct. 20 against the Kansas City Chiefs, as starter Jordan Mason deals with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder.

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