SANTA CLARA – Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks is a 10-year veteran, a 32-year-old who has participated in dozens of postgame news conferences and thus practiced the art of saying the right thing.
But even a grizzled longtime player like Kendricks couldn’t help but show his frustration when asked whether or not he believed the 49ers got away with offensive pass interference during the George Kittle’s 2-yard touchdown run in the 49ers’ 30-24 victory Sunday night.
Receiver Chris Conley picked off safety Donovan Wilson with 7:16 left in the third quarter, releasing the 49ers All-Pro in the flat on National Tight End Day for his sixth touchdown of the season. Two officials threw flags, but referee Bill Vinovich later announced there would be no penalty for offensive pass interference.
“They threw two flags, so I thought that was a guaranteed (penalty),” Kendricks told the Bay Area News Group.
“I mean, you hope this one goes our way, but at the same time, we have to do our part to keep them out of this position,” Kendricks continued before adding, “You know, blah, blah , blah… but two flags, you know?
Vinovich has been the subject of both fans’ ire in the recent past. He served as the referee for the 49ers’ divisional playoff series against the Cowboys following the 2022 season and officiated Kansas City’s two Super Bowl victories against San Francisco.
Add Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy to the list of those in the Dallas locker room who weren’t exactly thrilled with the officiating.
“Two flags were thrown, and when they were thrown, I definitely thought it was a choice play,” McCarthy said after the Cowboys fell to 3-4. “We have to ask for an explanation (from the officials) because it was a key element of the match.”
A big reason for Kittle’s big day was the 49ers’ ability to get receivers open on crossing routes, something Dallas knew was coming but still couldn’t stop it.
“We know who their target is, but they have a lot of other weapons and they’re trying to disperse them on the ground,” Kendricks said.
For his part, Conley said he didn’t think it should have been reported.
“When everything is tight out there, there’s always a chance, but I was talking to the ref and at first when they threw the flag, they thought I wasn’t running a route,” Conley said after the match. “But I said I was obviously running a route inside a guy and then I was trucked away. Another referee came and saw it, they talked about it and they got it back.
Of course, that call and Kittle’s big day weren’t the only reasons the Cowboys lost to the Niners for the fourth straight time.
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis downplayed the significance of that sequence.
“We want to win against everyone and we’re just trying to get out of the rut,” Lewis said.
Instead, he gave Kittle his props after rushing for 128 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s a really good player, and Shanahan does a good job of getting him into space and getting him off the press,” Lewis said.
But despite being outscored 469-242 and giving up 21 straight points in the third quarter, the Cowboys couldn’t escape the shadow of what they considered poor officiating. on key passing plays.
As McCarthy left the postgame news conference, he was asked if he thought 5-foot-7 receiver KaVontae Turpin was interfered with on the Cowboys’ desperation deep pass on their final possession. McCarthy just laughed and shrugged.
Reporter Jerry McDonald contributed to this story.
