Photo by: USA Today Sports Images
Former Golden Eagle Nick Mullens Enjoys Special NFL Debut Thursday
11/2/2018 8:48:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – When he got word Thursday afternoon that he would indeed be making his first National Football League start, Nick Mullens joined the list of a select few Golden Eagles to ever start a game at quarterback on the biggest football stage.
Mullens joined George Herring (who lettered at the school from 1954-55), Reggie Collier (1979-82), Brett Favre (1987-90) and Austin Davis (2008-11) to get a start under center in the NFL.
And it was a good one.
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the crosstown rivals Oakland Raiders 34-3, as Mullens led his team to two scoring drives on his first two ever series in an NFL contest. He went on to finish the night 16-of-22 passing for 262 yards and three touchdown passes.
• Mullens' passer rating of 151.9 was the best by a quarterback making his debut with at least 20 attempts since 1970.
• That passer rating was the highest by a 49er since Alex Smith had a rating of 157.1 on Oct. 29, 2012.
• Mullens joined Marc Bulger, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Marcus Mariota as the only players over the past 25 seasons to throw for three or more touchdowns in their first game, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
• Mullens is the first player since Carson Wentz to throw for a touchdown in his first career game on the team's opening drive, and one of four to do it in the past 15 seasons, along with Wentz, Mariota and Matt Ryan.
• Mullens joined Fran Tarkenton (1961) and Jim Kelly (1986) as the only quarterbacks to throw for 250-plus yards, three-plus touchdowns and no interceptions in an NFL debut since 1950.
• Mullens is the first player in 49ers history to throw for three touchdowns in his first game with the team, according to Elias Sport Bureau.
• The last time a 49ers quarterback threw two touchdown passes on the first two drives of a game was Colin Kaepernick in Week 4 of 2016. The last time the Niners scored a touchdown on their first two drives of a game was Week 14 of 2016.
Things went so well for Mullens on Thursday night that his previously unverified Twitter account was granted a blue check mark -- during the game.
Those records belonged to former Golden Eagle and NFL quarterback Austin Davis, who in turn, broke most of those by legend Brett Favre.
The 49ers return to action Monday, Nov. 12, against the New York Giants.
And who knows. Maybe Mullens will be able to enjoy an encore that was as good as his debut.
Mullens joined George Herring (who lettered at the school from 1954-55), Reggie Collier (1979-82), Brett Favre (1987-90) and Austin Davis (2008-11) to get a start under center in the NFL.
And it was a good one.
The San Francisco 49ers defeated the crosstown rivals Oakland Raiders 34-3, as Mullens led his team to two scoring drives on his first two ever series in an NFL contest. He went on to finish the night 16-of-22 passing for 262 yards and three touchdown passes.
In fact, Mullens put up some special numbers. Here is a breakdown of those numbers (courtesy of ESPN):First @NFL TD pass for @NickMullens ✔️
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 2, 2018
First #49ers TD catch for @PierreGarcon ✔️#OAKvsSF x #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/12ShEIhPcA
• Mullens' passer rating of 151.9 was the best by a quarterback making his debut with at least 20 attempts since 1970.
• That passer rating was the highest by a 49er since Alex Smith had a rating of 157.1 on Oct. 29, 2012.
• Mullens joined Marc Bulger, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Marcus Mariota as the only players over the past 25 seasons to throw for three or more touchdowns in their first game, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
• Mullens is the first player since Carson Wentz to throw for a touchdown in his first career game on the team's opening drive, and one of four to do it in the past 15 seasons, along with Wentz, Mariota and Matt Ryan.
• Mullens joined Fran Tarkenton (1961) and Jim Kelly (1986) as the only quarterbacks to throw for 250-plus yards, three-plus touchdowns and no interceptions in an NFL debut since 1950.
• Mullens is the first player in 49ers history to throw for three touchdowns in his first game with the team, according to Elias Sport Bureau.
• The last time a 49ers quarterback threw two touchdown passes on the first two drives of a game was Colin Kaepernick in Week 4 of 2016. The last time the Niners scored a touchdown on their first two drives of a game was Week 14 of 2016.
Things went so well for Mullens on Thursday night that his previously unverified Twitter account was granted a blue check mark -- during the game.
Not a bad night for the undrafted free agent who was signed by the 49ers in 2017 after he completed his Golden Eagle career No. 1 in passing yards (11,994), touchdown passes (87) and passing efficiency (137.81).The Raiders currently lead the league in Twitter verifications allowed per game.
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 2, 2018
Congrats, @NickMullens pic.twitter.com/8HaXq5CjSF
Those records belonged to former Golden Eagle and NFL quarterback Austin Davis, who in turn, broke most of those by legend Brett Favre.
Former Golden Eagle teammate Tarvarius Moore, a 3rd round selection by the 49ers in the 2018 draft, also appeared in the win, while former Golden Eagle running back Jalen Richard played for the Raiders. Richard collected two rushes for four yards and four receptions for 45 yards..@NickMullens gets a special call from fellow Southern Miss alumnus @BrettFavre!
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 2, 2018
And he isn't surprised by his first start at all👀#TNF pic.twitter.com/8VIrh3PtIr
The 49ers return to action Monday, Nov. 12, against the New York Giants.
And who knows. Maybe Mullens will be able to enjoy an encore that was as good as his debut.
All respect from former @SouthernMissFB teammates @NickMullens and @RocketRich30 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zAEEqstfYW
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 2, 2018
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