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          Raheem Mostert's four rushing TDs give 49ers commanding lead

          • Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterJan 20, 2020, 01:52 AM
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              Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL at ESPN since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In his 10 years with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga. You can follow Nick via Twitter @nwagoner
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          SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- It's safe to say third-and-8 isn't a normal running situation, but when you're the San Francisco 49ers, with one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL, there might be no such thing.

          Facing third-and-8 at the Green Bay Packers' 36 with 5:55 left in the first quarter, coach Kyle Shanahan dialed up a run for running back Raheem Mostert. Considering the field position, it was likely four-down territory for the Niners, allowing Shanahan to call a run in a spot normally reserved for a throw.

          Mostert and the offensive line rewarded Shanahan's faith, as Mostert darted off the left side and through Green Bay's secondary for a 36-yard touchdown and a 7-0 San Francisco lead.

          According to ESPN Stats & Information research, Mostert's run was the third rushing touchdown this season on third-and-8 or longer, with the first two belonging to the Miami Dolphins.

          The most recent rushing touchdown on third-and-8 or longer in the playoffs came from then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the 2012 NFC divisional round against, coincidentally, the Packers.

          Mostert hit 21.87 mph on his run, making it the fastest rush by any NFL player in the past four postseasons.

          Adding to the 49ers' lead, Mostert chalked up a second touchdown, rushing from 9 yards out with 9:12 left in the second quarter. Since Week 12, including playoffs, Mostert has nine rushing touchdowns, which is second most in the NFL in that span, after Derrick Henry's 10.

          Mostert's second TD put the Niners up 17-0.

          Mostert's big game continued before halftime, with him scoring six points on an 18-yard rush with 45 seconds left in the second quarter to put the 49ers up 27-0.

          The only players with three rushing touchdowns and 150 rushing yards in an AFC or NFC Conference Championship Game (since 1970) are Mostert and Pro Football Hall of Famers Thurman Thomas and Emmitt Smith.

          The second half was no different for Mostert and the 49ers' rushing offense. Mostert scored a 22-yard TD with 4:49 left in the third quarter to put San Francisco up 34-7.

          The most recent player with four rushing TDs in a playoff game was LeGarrette Blount in the 2013 NFL divisional round against the Indianapolis Colts.

          Mostert is the first player in NFL history with four rushing touchdowns in a conference championship game, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.