The Los Angeles Chargers ended exhibition play 1-3 after falling to the San Francisco 49ers 23-13 in the final game of the preseason.
Stat of the Game:
With Kyle Coleman's pick-six, the Chargers scored three defensive touchdowns in their last three games. Melvin Ingram recovered a fumble and went 76-yards for the score against the Rams. Dexter McCoil returned an interception 99-yards against the Saints.
Play of the Game:
On 3rd-and-3 from their own 27, 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens dropped back and fired a pass in the direction of DeAndre Carter. Instead, it was picked off by Chargers linebacker Kyle Coleman and returned 30 yards for a pick-six.
Turning Point:
In the second quarter, after a three-and-out by the Bolts, the Chargers were forced to punt with 7:17 remaining. Although Drew Kaser booted a 59-yard punt to the Niners' eight, Victor Bolden Jr. cut through tacklers then ran down the right sideline for a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown.
It Was Over When:
Deep in their own territory, Cardale Jones pump faked a couple times before Dekoda Watson came in to sack the QB and force a fumble. 49ers linebacker Ray Ray Armstrong then recovered the fumble. Three plays later, Niners running back Tim Hightower rushed in for a one-yard score. The touchdown increased the 49ers' lead to 23, putting a win for the Bolts essentially out of reach.
Bolt Quotebook
"Anytime you turn the ball over five times, you have no chance of winning." – Head Coach Anthony Lynn
"Once you give everything you can to something, if you're good enough, then you'll be accepted. If not, then it might be time to find something else. Hopefully the chips fall where I'm wanting them to. But if not, I'll make a decision from there…I knew I was going to come out here and give everything I had. I think that's what I did."* – Running Back Austin Ekeler*
"It is what it is. I did all I can. Now, we just wait." – Safety Dexter McCoil
Odds and Ends
Desmond King wrapped up an impressive preseason by adding a sack against his former college teammate C.J. Beathard on Thursday. He capped off the four-game preseason with two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Kyle Coleman, who was added to the roster on Aug. 15, returned an interception 30-yards for a touchdown. The Chargers finished the preseason with three defensive scores in the final three games.
Austin Ekeler shined in the preseason finale. The Western State product rushed for a team-high 50 yards on eight carries and added 58 yards on three receptions. For the preseason, Ekeler compiled 87 yards on 15 carries and 72 yards on five catches.
Tonight's captains included Korey Toomer, Chris Hairston, Kenjon Barner and Darius Philon.
