In need of a big play, the Seattle Seahawks got one from returner Laviska Shenault.
With the Seahawks trailing the San Francisco 49ers 23-3 with 9:54 left in the third quarter, Shenault avoided three tacklers, exploding for a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown. The fifth-year wideout is only the second player this season to return a kickoff for a score, joining Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas, who accomplished the feat in Week 1.
For Shenault, the incredible return helped him make up for a mistake earlier in the game. With 13:30 left in the second quarter, he fumbled a kickoff. The 49ers recovered, leading to three points.
The spectacular special teams play seemed to light a fire under the Seahawks. After Seattle’s defense forced a 49ers’ three-and-out on the ensuing possession, the offense marched down the field for a 13-play, 94-yard drive, capped off by a Kenneth Walker one-yard touchdown run. That cut the deficit to 23-17 with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter.
The Seahawks fell behind the 49ers early 16-0 and looked lifeless for much of the contest. But, with a little over a quarter left to go, Shenault and Walker’s scores have made it a game.