Matthew Adams
Managing Editor
This recent Super Bowl was one for the books as the San Francisco 49ers put their best foot forward in an almost standstill battle between the Kansas City Chiefs.
Super Bowl 58 marked history, as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs accomplished a feat that only nine other teams have accomplished. The last team to accomplish something as exigent as winning back-to-back was the New England Patriots.
“It’s a bit surreal,” Andy Reid stated in post-game conference.
With so much pressure on the line, many were not sure who would win this bout. This would be the second time in four years that the 49ers would make the Super Bowl. For the Chiefs, this would be their 4th appearance in the Super Bowl in five years.
Their last win would come from the hard-fought win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The opening drive had many viewers on the edge of their seats. The drive started with a great kick from Harrison Butler that would put the 49ers at their 25-yard line.
A pair of passes and runs were executed during this drive which would put the 49ers at the Kansas City 49-yard line.
The next play would be given right back to Kansas City as the Chiefs were able to force a fumble and gain control of the ball.
That drive would be futile as the next 3 drives would be riddled with punts. The 49ers would receive the ball from a 3-and-out.
This next series would run into the 2nd quarter. Kansas City would showcase their defensive talent but the 10-play drive would result in a field goal and the score would be 3-0.
The 2nd quarter would mirror that of 1st quarter as the Chiefs would start the drive off with a fumble but again would be a meaningless effort as no points were scored in the Chiefs’ favor.
San Francisco would capitalize on the Chief’s misfortune and culminate an 8-play touchdown drive that would have Christian McCaffery run for 21 yards to the endzone. This would not stop the Chiefs from scoring a field goal.
The score is now 10-3 with the 49ers still in control.
The third quarter would be filled with All-Pro type defense as the first drive would put the Chiefs in a tough position as Mahomes would throw an interception.
Both teams would trade 3-and-outs for 3 straight drives but the Chiefs would make the score 10-6 with a field goal.
The next two drives would be two touchdowns from both teams. Mahomes would throw a tight spiral to Marquez Valdez-Scantling. On the 49ers end, Juan Jennings would receive a pass from Brock Purdy making the score 16-13.
The missed extra point would end up making the difference in the end.
This would be the end of punts for the rest of the game as both teams would gear up their offense and defense for the 4th quarter.
The rest of the game would be a flurry of field goals. The score is now 19-19 to end the 4th quarter and head into overtime that entails many requirements to win the game.
This would be one moment Noah Mason, a senior graphic design major from New Orleans, La., would say was the end of the 49ers.
“I knew once the 49ers got the ball that Kansas City would make something shake,” Mason emphasized.
Zachary Bonner, a senior biology/pre-Med major from Atlanta, Ga., agreed with Mason.
“Mahomes is a dog in overtime,” Bonner stated.
Overtime would show many viewers who really wanted the Lombardi trophy. The 49ers gain control of the ball to start off the nail biting 15-minute overtime.
The 49ers were not able to make dreams into reality as they would score a field goal making the score 22-19. This would be to their detriment.
The Chiefs would march down the field in Chiefs fashion. This would show as the 49ers looked to have not enough firepower to stop them from Mecole Hardman scoring a wide-open touchdown.
After the Super Bowl, the NFL will be on a hiatus. This will give teams time to evaluate their rosters and make an effort to get to the same place as the 49ers and Chiefs, the Super Bowl.
