Sports

49ers look ahead after defeating Rams 34-31

Published

6 years ago

December 22, 2019

Santa Clara – An explosive game between two teams desperate for a win tonight. A pick six put the 49ers ahead for first time in the game but a crucial turnover to start the second half gave the Los Angeles Rams momentum. A field goal tied the game with 2 minutes left on the clock. And Robbie Gould kicked the winning filed goal. The NFC is a tight race for the playoffs, every win is important.

The 49ers 34-31 victory over the Rams was the win they needed after coming off a loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week. The final game of the regular season is against their rivals, the Seattle Seahawks. The playoffs start with them, a team that handed San Francisco their first loss in overtime after going undefeated for eight games.

“Obviously, we had to beat the Los Angeles Rams for that game to matter and now that we beat the Rams, that will be a big-time game,” said Emmanuel Sanders regarding the Seahawks. “I am looking forward to sitting at home and watching these guys play tomorrow, watching film, preparing all week and hopefully we can go out there and leave with a W.”

LA came out ready to play, on opening drive Jared Goff completed a seven play drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks for a quick 7-0 lead. On the next drive, Richie James Jr. rushed for 81 yards on a punt return putting the 49ers in great field position. Unable to get into the end zone, Gold kicked a 26-yard field goal making it a 7-3 game.

Later in the quarter Jimmy Garoppolo went deep to Sanders but his pass was intercepted by Jalen Ramsey who returned it for 13 yards. A crucial turnover for San Francisco led to a Rams touchdown. Goff went deep to Cooper Kupp for 28 yards, moving the chains. Then he rushed for 2 yards on a quarterback scramble, Richard Sherman was charged with a late hit.

A penalty for unnecessary roughness put the Rams on the goal line to start the second quarter. Todd Gurley rushed for the 5-yard touchdown to extend LA’s lead 14-3. The 49ers went to their running game and scored quickly, Deebo Samuel rushed for a 19-yard touchdown to make it a 14-10 game. Late in the second, Gurley recorded his second touchdown of the game when he rushed for a 1-yard touchdown extending the Rams lead 21-10.

“I think we made some adjustments on that which I think was definitely needed,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “From what I saw in the second half, it looked like we slowed them down a number of times on those roll outs. They had a good plan for us, we were playing sound in the run game and when you play sound in the run game that’s usually what you give up, the bootlegs and things like that. We had to make a few adjustments and they had a good plan, but I think we were able to slow it down enough in the second half.”

San Francisco keep it a competitive and scored with 2:21 left in the first half. Raheem Mostert rushed for a 16-yard touchdown making it a 21-17 game. A crucial turnover to end the half for the Rams, Goff’s pass intended for Malcolm Brown was picked off by Fred Warner who rushed it back for a 46-yard touchdown to give San Francisco their first lead of the game making it a 24-21.

“Yeah, honestly, I just did my job,” said Mostert. “We were in man coverage and the back kind of, he checked in the protection and then ran a flat route. I hugged up on him and I think [Los Angeles Rams QB] Jared [Goff] probably would want to have that one back, but he just tossed it up and I took it. I took it home.”

To start the third, San Francisco committed another turnover but it didn’t prove to costly, Garoppolo’s intended pass for Sanders was intercepted by Darious Williams. LA struggled to move the ball and Greg Zuerlein missed a 52-yard field goal. Goff made up for it when he connected with Kupp for a 22-yard touchdown giving the Rams a 28-24 lead. By the fourth, Garoppolo went deep to both George Kittle and Sanders for 36 to setup Kittle’s 7-yard touchdown making it 31-28 game with 6:06 left on the clock.

Another field goal attempt by Zuerlein for 52-yards tied the game 31-31. Despite getting sacked for the fifth time, Garoppolo went deep to Sanders for 46 yards with less than a minute to play. That play was enough to take a knee and run the clock for Gould to come in and kick a 33-yard field goal for the win. This win wasn’t just about playoff position. One of their own is hurting. Backup quarterback C.J. Beathard lost his younger brother who was fatally stabbed in a fight early Saturday morning in Nashville. And the team won this for him.

“Before we start, I just want to say how much we appreciate the Beathard family,” Shanahan saais. “What happened last night was very tough on [QB] C.J. [Beathard] and his family. It was a tragedy. Such a great family. We’ve been with C.J. here for three years. He’s as good as any person I’ve been around. Their family is unbelievable. I never got a chance to meet Clay, but knowing how his parents are, knowing how C.J. is, knowing the stuff they’ve told me about him, he was an unbelievably special person. Just our hearts and prayers are out with them. His dad reached out to us on text just about how great everyone has been on social media and just the respect everyone has given their family and stuff, he can’t appreciate it enough. I think everyone understands how horrible a thing that happened to their family last night. Our prayers are with them.”

Malaika Bobino

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Alameda County

Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

1 week ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

Oakland Post

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

10 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.