Trey Lance throws first touchdown of 49ers' season, Goff tosses pick-6

ByNick Wagoner ESPN logo
Sunday, September 12, 2021

DETROIT -- It took all of two regular-season snaps for San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance to throw his first professional touchdown pass.

After the 49ers' first possession ended after just one play because of a botched center exchange, the Niners quickly gained traction on their second series. On the heels of a third-down completion from starter Jimmy Garoppolo to receiver Mohamed Sanufor a first down at Detroit's 5, Lance entered the game for the second play of his young career.

Lance took the snap and found wideout Trent Sherfield wide open in the left flat after faking a handoff. Sherfield hauled it in and strolled into the end zone for the 5-yard score to give San Francisco an early 7-0 lead.

The pass was the first in a regular-season game for Lance, who the Niners have planned to use situationally behind Garoppolo. He's also the first of the 2021 rookie quarterbacks to throw a touchdown.

Garoppolo, meanwhile, was effective despite losing a fumble on the team's first snap. He surpassed 250 yards in the third quarter with a 79-yard touchdown to Deebo Samuel.

On the other side of the field, Jared Goff struggled a bit in his Detroit Lions debut.

His pick-6 just before the half put the 49ers ahead 28-10.

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