The San Francisco 49ers put on an offensive masterclass, scoring five touchdowns in a 35-16 rout over the Arizona Cardinals, with running back Christian McCaffrey accounting for a whopping four scores in yet another impressive performance in the Red and Gold.
McCaffrey, who rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns, while catching seven passes for 71 yards and one touchdown, had a career-high in rushing touchdowns and total scores, nearly matching the 49ers' single-game record of five touchdowns set by Jerry Rice in 1990 and matched by Ricky Watters in 1993.
The running back had a chance for five touchdowns, as the 49ers got inside the five-yard line for their final score, but head coach Kyle Shanahan elected to rush with fullback Kyle Juszczyk on first down before quarterback sneaking with Brock Purdy for the touchdown.
Speaking to reporters after the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that he didn't know McCaffrey's touchdown total, lamenting the missed opportunity to get the running back that final score.
"I honestly had no idea until I just came in here that he had four touchdowns," Shanahan said. "I never know that type of stuff. I was actually shocked and now I feel kind of bad about it. Wish I tried, but sometimes I'd snap at people if they'd tell me that stuff in games because it shouldn't matter until the game's over."
"But he would've got five if we gave a chance to him but did one for [FB Kyle Juszczyk] Juice, then they gave us quarterback sneak look and Brock took it. But I wish I got him five, he deserved it."
McCaffrey has started the 2023 season at a torrid pace, rushing for 459 yards and six touchdowns, while catching 18 passes for 141 yards and another touchdown through four games.