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          Christian McCaffrey scores third first-half touchdown

          • Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterOct 1, 2023, 05:08 PM ET
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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. -- San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has made himself comfortable in the end zone since arriving via trade last year. He's at it again.

          After scoring on a 2-yard run on San Francisco's opening drive against the Arizona Cardinals, McCaffrey's encore touchdown offered a little more sizzle. On first-and-10 from Arizona's 18, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy threw backward to McCaffrey racing to his right side.

          McCaffrey hauled it in, cut back, leaped over a defender and raced into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown. It was ruled a run because Purdy's pass went backward.

          With his first end zone visit, McCaffrey has now scored a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, including the playoffs. That surpasses the franchise record held by Jerry Rice and puts him in striking distance of the all-time record of 17 held by former Baltimore Colts receiver Lenny Moore.

          It's McCaffrey's first multi-touchdown game this season and his third since the 49ers traded for him on Oct. 20, 2022.

          McCaffrey hit the hat trick with his third first-half touchdown with 5:22 left in the second quarter. This time, it came through the air as he grabbed a 6-yard toss from Purdy and rolled over a defender into the end zone. He's the first Niner since running back Tevin Coleman in 2019 to score three touchdowns in the opening half.