An emotional Erik Magnuson explains the final play of the game pic.twitter.com/Hbr8vFvK0p
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 29, 2018
Any chance for a 49ers comeback was spoiled with seven seconds remaining.
Center Erik Magnuson botched the shotgun snap to quarterback C.J. Beathard, with the team about 10 yards out of field goal range. By the time Beathard recovered the loose ball time had expired, making the 18-15 loss to the Cardinals official. The Cardinals are now 2-6, with both wins coming against the Niners.
Manguson found out he’d be starting 90 minutes before the game on Sunday, when starting center Weston Richburg was a late scratch with a knee injury. A guard by trade, Sunday was just the third start of Magnuson’s career, and his first ever at center. After the game, an emotional Magnuson spoke with reporters and explained what happened on the play.
(The) worst nightmare of playing center is to have a bad snap and hurt the team like that,” Magnuson via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “It’s nothing I ever want to happen again, that’s for sure.
“I felt it slip when it came out my hand. But I don’t know how bad it is. It could be a foot high, it could be 10 feet high. I don’t know. I just feel it slip. Obviously, I saw the play on the big board, but that was the only way I even knew.”
(Click to watch final play)
With the loss the 49ers fall to 1-7 on the season and remain winless in five road contests. On six-game losing streak, San Francisco heads back home for a quick turnaround with the Raiders (1-6) on Thursday.