49ers Vs. Cardinals: After Missing On Opening Drive, San Francisco Strikes Fast After Beanie Wells Fumble

A missed Shane Andrus 47-yard field goal squandered what was a promising opening drive of the game for the 49ers, which featured Frank Gore rushing four times for 43 yards, but also leaving the game due to injury afterward.

Andrus, who came into the game having only attempted one field goal attempt in his NFL career, was signed two weeks ago to replace the injured Joe Nedney. He wasn’t even close in his first try tonight.

Lucky for the 49ers, the Cardinals were all too accommodating to give San Francisco another chance. On Arizona’s first offensive snap, a handoff from Derek Anderson to Beanie Wells was fumbled and recovered by the San Francisco defense.

From there, the Niners wasted little time to exploit the mistake. On the next play, Troy Smith hit Michael Crabtree deep over the middle for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Replays showed that the catch was questionable and could have been challenged by Arizona since the ball appeared to have shifted in Crabtree’s grasp and hit the ground, but Ken Whisenhunt declined to challenge.