Running back Carlos Hyde pulled off a highlight-reel move for one score late in the first half and rushed for another touchdown in the fourth quarter to lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 20-3 first-week victory here over the Minnesota Vikings, spoiling Adrian Peterson’s return to the NFL.
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On the other side of the coin, Peterson also had a lot of time to fall out of “football shape”, but he showed in the second quarter that he doesn’t need to ease his way back into live contact.
“I just prepared the best I could and I’m definitely going to learn from this game”, Hayne told reporters. Once the 49ers saw how well Hyde was running the ball, they simply kept calling his number.
“Everything happens so fast over here”, Hayne said.
On NFL.com there was an encouraging look forward at how Hayne might be used as the season progresses.
Supporting your team is a big part of sports.
Hayne muffed a punt that Minnesota recovered at its 43.
Tomsula said at no point did he have doubts about his Australian rookie import.
“He ran aggressive”, Colin Kaepernick said of Hyde.
Ellington, who Hayne beat to be the 49ers’ first-choice punt returner, also came over. He fumbled what should have been a straightforward punt return near the 43-yard line to concede a turnover.
This left Hayne in the 46 who would “suit up” for the Monday Night Football game – which was nationally televised in the United States – against the Vikings at the 49ers’ home ground in Santa Clara.
The new starter in place of departed franchise rushing leader Gore, Hyde’s yards were the most by a 49ers running back since Gore’s 207 in Week 2 of 2009 against Seattle.
For whatever reason, Hayne, eventually, didn’t have the chance to make the same mistake again.
Adrian Peterson had 10 carries for 31 yards rushing.
“I still have a long way to go and learned a tough lesson tonight”, said Hayne in the locker room, surrounded by reporters and rap music blaring in the background. Plus, he’s one of the most physically intimidating running backs in the league right now.
Just over a month ago, he had his first helmet and pads tackle practice session.
The 49ers’ next two games are on the road, first against the Steelers at Heinz Field before taking their talents to Arizona in a divisional match up with the Cardinals.
At the end of the game, 49ers supporters tossed an Australian flag at Hayne who wrapped it around his shoulders and beamed.
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“I was disappointed, obviously, with that first drop”, said Hayne.
