Youth movement on defense helps fuel the 49ers' 32-29 win over the Seahawks

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The youth movement on San Francisco's defense paid dividends when the 49ers needed it most in a tough game in Seattle.

With star Nick Bosa out with an injury and Dre Greenlaw ejected early in the game, some of the lesser-known and younger 49ers defenders stepped up at big moments in the 49ers' 32-29 win over the Seahawks on Sunday.

Renardo Green set up the first touchdown with an interception of Sam Darnold on Seattle's opening drive and added another pick on the first possession of the second half.

Rookie Gracen Halton made a momentum-shifting play when he stripped George Holani in the closing seconds of the first half and recovered the fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, while adding a sack.

Malik Mustapha recovered another fumble to set up a short touchdown drive, while Sebastian Valdez and rookie Jaden Dugger both delivered their first career sacks.

“I saw them make a number of plays today,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s really hard to win a game in that situation if those guys don’t step it up, and they’ve been stepping up huge.”

This marked the first time since at least 1991 that the 49ers got at least three sacks and four takeaways in a game from players who are 25 or younger.

“When you’re out there, it’s your time to play,” Green said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an old guy or a young guy, we all are held to the same standard. That’s how the players hold accountability for each other, and that’s how our coaches also push us. So, it doesn’t surprise me that young guys are making plays. We do it all the time in practice. We were doing it in camp, and we were doing it in preseason.”

The performance of the defensive line was most gratifying as the Niners had been looking for players to pressure the quarterback since the start of last season. San Francisco ranked last in the NFL in 2025 with 20 sacks with Bosa missing most of the season.

His return was expected to provide a boost but he has missed the past three games with a calf injury. It didn't matter with Halton and Valdez leading the charge up front against Seattle.

“That line is not a lot of household names so to speak outside of Bosa, but the way they play, they play like their hair is on fire,” star left tackle Trent Williams said. "That’s a very special group.”

The Brock Purdy to Mike Evans connection. With several receivers hurt, Purdy has relied heavily on Evans, who joined the team as a free agent in March. Evans had seven catches for 113 yards, one touchdown and a 2-point conversion Sunday despite playing with broken ribs. Purdy is 24 for 34 for 406 yards, four TDs and a 149.9 passer rating when targeting Evans this season.

“That’s exactly why he’s here,” Shanahan said.

Special teams. It was a rough day in the kicking game with Jacob Cowing fumbling a punt to set up a short touchdown drive, Eddy Pineiro missing a 52-yard field goal and the kickoff coverage team allowing a 39-yard return to help set up the game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter. Pineiro has missed three field goals and two extra points this season to tie for the most total missed kicks in the league. He missed only five all of last season.

Green. After getting berated by Shanahan on the sideline during the playoff loss in Seattle last January, Green has played at a high level this season. Green's three INTs this season are the most for any Niners player since 2023.

Greenlaw. The linebacker was ejected in the second quarter after head-butting Ernest Jones IV on the Seahawks sideline after Greenlaw was called for a late hit on Darnold. This was the third career ejection for Greenlaw, who has also been suspended for berating an official after a game last season. He could be in line for further discipline again.

WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) left the game in the second half and could be the latest receiver to miss time. The Niners are already without Ricky Pearsall, De'Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson. ... WR Christian Kirk, who has been out since hurting his calf early in training camp, is not expected back this week. ... Bosa could return this week.

5. The 49ers won for just the fifth time under Shanahan when committing three turnovers and the second time with Purdy as starter. They overcame three interceptions by Purdy to beat Carolina 20-9 last season.

The 49ers host Washington on Monday in search of their fourth 6-0 start since joining the NFL.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez (55) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Gracen Halton, second from left, reacts with Malik Mustapha (6), Khalid Kareem (47), Ogbo Okoronkwo (59) after recovering a fumble by Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Gracen Halton (93) strips the ball from Seattle Seahawks running back George Holani (36) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

San Francisco 49ers safety Malik Mustapha (6) and cornerback Renardo Green (0) react after an interception against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Renardo Green (0) intercepts a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — Australia set South Africa a 421-run target and the Proteas were laboring at 102-4 after the first full day of cricket in the first test at Kingsmead on Monday.

Another innings-leading score by Matt Renshaw of 82 helped Australia declare its second innings at 314-6 just before scheduled tea.

Bad light ended play early on the previous three days but sunshine allowed the action to continue past 4:30 p.m. local time for the first time in the test for another hour in an extended three-hour session.

Unable to be saved by bad light, South Africa lost two more wickets after 4:30 p.m.; captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs, both on 1.

At stumps, Aiden Markram was 45 not out with Wiaan Mulder on 5 and South Africa was struggling on a decent pitch at 2.48 runs per over, especially against spinners Nathan Lyon and part-timer Renshaw.

Renshaw was enjoying a dream test: A career-best 190 followed by a 99-ball 82 and a bonus first test wicket. He got Bavuma bat-pad and caught at short leg by Nic Maddinson.

South Africa had already lost Ryan Rickelton on 2, out caught off Josh Hazlewood for a second time in the match, and David Bedingham, out lbw to Hazlewood. Again, Bedingham fell short of a half-century, 46 following 49 in the first innings.

Pat Cummins claimed the fourth wicket when Stubbs was caught behind. South Africa was 86-4 and facing a tall task on the final day.

Australia resumed from 33-0 overnight and was 174-4 by lunch.

Maddinson set the tone for a faster scoring pace with 48 off 38 balls, including two sixes, and negating his duck in the first innings. Fellow opener Travis Head was out for 11.

Australia had two aggressive partnerships in the morning.

Steve Smith (27) and Marnus Labuschagne (37) added 53 off 77 balls.

Smith was hit on the head off Anrich Nortje’s rising delivery and didn’t field during South Africa’s second innings pending the result of a concussion test. Smith has a history of concussion and vertigo. He continued after the knock on his helmet and was out caught off Simon Harmer.

Labuschagne and Renshaw added 32 off 31 balls before lunch when Labuschagne mis-hit a drive and was out for 37 off 58 balls, identical to his first innings figures. Its the 12th known instance of runs scored and balls faced in men's test cricket.

Australia lost four wickets in the morning but led by 280 runs at lunch.

After the break, Renshaw reached 50 off 75 balls while Nortje bowled Carey for 24. The duo took Australia past 200.

Renshaw and Beau Webster added 65 off 71 balls when Renshaw fell after spinner Keshav Maharaj took a surprising return catch. Renshaw finished the test with 272 runs.

Captain Cummins had one eye on a declaration as the lead passed 400. He and Webster added 44 off only 19 balls. Webster was 39 not out off 43 balls and Cummins had 32 off 12 with four sixes, three in one over by Harmer.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

South Africa's Anrich Nortje celebrates after bowling Australia's Alex Carey on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Aiden Markram attempt a catch off Australia's Matt Renshaw on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Josh Hazlewood, left, successfully appeals for LBW against South Africa's David Bedingham on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Matt Renshaw, center, on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne plays a high ball on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Simon Harmer, right, celebrates a wicket with his captain Temba Bavuma on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne looks on as he leaves the field following his dismissal on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Australia's Matt Renshaw misplay a short ball on day four of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)