The San Francisco 49ers’ offense struggled during the first half of their 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, but an unexpected player helped change the tide.
The 49ers only managed to score six points in the first half, with their running game faltering; running back Jordan Mason gained just 18 yards on six carries in the opening quarter. A shoulder injury forced Mason to leave the game before halftime, creating an opportunity for rookie fourth-round draft pick Isaac Guerendo, who had only seen limited action with 23 carries prior to the game.
Although Guerendo had previously played extended minutes, this time marked his strongest performance. He rushed for 85 yards on 14 carries and scored his first career touchdown, achieving his total with a maximum run of just 19 yards.
After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Guerendo’s development, noting that he had learned valuable lessons from past runs. Shanahan explained that while Guerendo performed decently earlier in the season, he had room for improvement. The coach emphasized that Guerendo has been receptive to feedback, showing poise and detail orientation.
In a previous game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6, Guerendo had a pivotal role but struggled until a late 76-yard run helped secure the win. He ended that game with 99 yards on 10 carries. However, on Sunday night, he demonstrated greater consistency with strong early runs of 19 and 15 yards, showcasing both speed and strength while patiently waiting for running lanes to open up.
Shanahan added that Guerendo’s performance was impressive enough that they didn’t feel the need to reinsert Mason after he left the game. In the second half, Guerendo recorded 47 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and also contributed in the passing game, catching three of his four targets for 17 yards.
Guerendo’s talent has always been evident, but he had struggled to adapt to Shanahan’s system as quickly as other running backs had. His performance on Sunday marked a significant breakthrough, especially when the 49ers needed their run game to rebound after a challenging first half.
