Montana

49ers Throwback: Montana Magic and Terrifying Taylor

Published

2 years ago

May 10, 2024

Press Room

49ers Throwback: Montana Magic and Terrifying Taylor

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On their way to a back-to-back and fourth Super Bowl championship, the San Francisco 49ers had a remarkable Monday Night comeback against division rival Los Angeles Rams. The Rams had beaten the Niners 13-12 earlier in Week 4 when kicker Mike Lansford made a game-winning field goal.

After that divisional loss, the 49ers won eight of their last nine games, including a 34-24 victory over the New York Giants, who won the NFC East with a 12-4 record and earned the second-best record in the NFC.

On a cool 56-degree night on December 11, 1989, the 9-4 Rams had a chance to close within one game of the division-leading 11-2 49ers. The Rams took the opening kick and an early 7-0 lead over the 49ers with a Greg Bell three-yard touchdown run. After forcing the 49ers to punt, Rams quarterback Jim Everett led the team down the field, finishing the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Damone Johnson, increasing their lead to 14-0.

LeRoy Irvin intercepted 49ers quarterback Joe Montana on their second drive, but the Rams settled for a Mike Lansford 25-yard field goal, increasing their lead to 17-0.

At the start of the second quarter, the 49ers finally got on the scoreboard with a 19-yard field goal by Mike Cofer, cutting the Rams’ lead to 17-3. Both teams traded punts, but the Rams drove down the field to try and increase their lead. However, with a botched field goal attempt, the 49ers took over at their two-yard line. Three plays later, Montana found wide receiver John Taylor on a short slant, and he took it for a 92-yard touchdown reception, shrinking the Rams’ lead to 17-10.

The 49ers had a chance to cut into the lead further before halftime, but Rams linebacker Kevin Green sacked Montana inside the Los Angeles 10, and Cofer missed a field goal as the first half expired.

Everett and the Rams came out of halftime, picking apart the 49er defense, finishing their drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to running back Buford McGee, increasing the Rams’ lead to 24-10. The 49ers had another chance to cut into the lead as they drove inside Los Angeles’ 10-yard line, but Rams defensive back Michael Stewart picked off Montana.

Mike Lansford kicked a 22-yard field goal to increase the Rams’ lead to 27-10, and it seemed like they might sweep the 49ers for the season, but tonight was another “Montana Magic Moment.”

The 49ers followed the Rams’ score with a Montana seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wilson, cutting the home team’s lead to 27-17. The Rams regrouped and drove down the field, getting to the 49ers’ five-yard line until center Doug Smith had a bad exchange with Everett and San Francisco linebacker Matt Millen was “Johnny on the Spot,” recovering the fumble.

Montana then hooked up with Taylor on a slant route, where the third-year receiver took it for a 95-yard touchdown reception, cutting the Rams’ lead to 27-23.

The Rams, who had a chance to close in on the 49ers’ lead in the NFC West division and sweep them in the season, quickly saw their hopes disappear when the Niners recovered kick returner Ron Brown’s fumble at the L.A. 27.

With momentum on their side, the 49ers finished the drive and took a 30-27 lead after Roger Craig scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The Rams had a chance to tie the game or take the lead, but defensive lineman Pierce Holt sacked Everett on 3rd and 9.

With the Rams punting the ball back to the Niners, they ran out the clock and finalized the 30-27 49ers victory.

Montana finished the game with 458 yards passing, three touchdown passes, and two interceptions, while Taylor finished with 11 receptions, 286 yards receiving, and two receiving touchdowns.

The 49ers finished the season 14-2, winners of the NFC West with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They also averaged 34.9 points per game and allowed 7.2 points per game over the final five games of the season, including a Super Bowl record 55 points against the Denver Broncos’ number-one-ranked defense.

On July 1st, 2021, Taylor told 49ers beat writers he chose to win championships rather than go to another team and be their star receiver.

“My thing was always this: once I get into the league, all I wanted to do is win a championship,” Taylor said. “I did not have to be the main receiver. As long as we won the game, that is all I was worried about. As far as having the most passes that game, the most yardage that game, I let that handle itself. My main concern was at the end of the day: did we have a ‘W’ or an ‘L’?”

Despite not having a Hall of Fame career, the other 49er receiver not named Rice, Taylor, would be inducted into the Bay Area Hall of Fame, and fans would go to social media to react to Taylor’s induction.

“Finally, John Taylor gets the recognition he deserves! His induction into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is a testament to his greatness. Congratulations, John!”
— Fadime Devaraj Madelen Daalmans (@FDaalmans) May 10, 2024

Well deserved, it’s About time 💯 Put some Respect on John Taylor name
— KNOWLEDGE924 (@wayzking24) May 8, 2024
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Written by:
Sports has been my first love since I was 12 years old. At one point I wanted to play football professionally. I started to take photography as a hobby in my teenage years but this was when I followed sports. I started to listen to sports radio, I found my true calling and it was to be a sports talk show host. Though I follow football and basketball, I started to have a new love of cultures around the world. After graduating from San Antonio College in 2018, I worked for the Castroville News Bulletin before going to A&M San Antonio to get my communications degree. Since I have written for the Ranger of San Antonio College, the News Bulletin and the Mesquite of Texas A&M San Antonio, I met many people and went to a lot of events. My major milestone was being in the press box of the San Antonio Commanders game for the Mesquite and being apart of a press conference with the Medina County Sheriff and other local news outlets. When I am not doing anything, I like to watch old cartoons on the DC Universe, play video games such as Mega Man and the Mass Effect series. I have also created Youtube channel called “Anger Management” with my friend Aaron Donnell.

One thing is clear: Ian Rapoport expects Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel to be on the San Francisco 49ers roster when the team takes the field in Week 1 of the 2024 season. At this point, most probably feel that way. The fact that both stayed with the team throughout the draft clearly signals that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan intend to retain their two talented receivers—at least for one more season.

“Week 1 of 2024, it looks like they both will be [on the roster],” Rapoport told guest host Tom Pelissero on “The Rich Eisen Show.”

However, nothing in the NFL is ever certain.

“Now, look, crazy things can happen,” Rapoport continued. “Someone loses a star receiver, they decide to give the 49ers something of value for this

(Episode 335) — Brian Renick and Al Sacco do a pick-by-pick breakdown of every 49ers draft selection, what each prospect brings to the table, what their role will be this upcoming season, the themes of the 49ers draft class, which UDFAs could contribute, concerns with who they didn’t draft and more.

The audio for the show is embedded above. Remember to subscribe!

You can watch the show below.

You

The San Francisco 49ers have a new draft class. Some liked what the team did. Some did not. But that’s to be expected.

The 49ers draft class, along with undrafted rookie free agents will be preparing to go to rookie minicamp soon. They also have a handful of others they have invited to the minicamp as a tryout. So we hope to get plenty of news about the new rookies in the coming weeks.

For now, we’ve opened another edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. Let’s jump in and take a look around.

What are your thoughts on getting “your guy” versus “draft value”? The internet has been reacting accordingly over Pearsall’s perceived draft value. – Justin

I think getting the player you want is more important than draft value. Especially when

Rumors swirled around the statuses of San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. In the end, both players remained on the roster, and the speculation surrounding the two star players dwindled.

While the 49ers repeatedly insisted that signing Aiyuk to a long-term deal remained the priority, there were reports of trade talks involving him and Samuel. After San Francisco drafted wide receiver Ricky Pearsall with the No. 31 overall pick, the Aiyuk trade rumors cooled off, and the Samuel ones heated up.

John Lynch on Aiyuk, Samuel

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Montana

Bobcat men and women look to sweep Montana in second Brawl

Published

2 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Press Room

Bobcat men and women look to sweep Montana in second Brawl

The second and final installment of the regular season Brawl of the Wild on the hardwood will take place this Saturday in Missoula. Both the men’s and women’s teams defeated the Griz in their matchups a month ago and both teams are confident they can complete the season series sweep.

“A spirited rivalry and exciting game environment every time these teams match up, no matter where you are,” head coach Matt Logie said.

The Bobcat men are 14-11 this season and boast an 8-4 conference record. They are taking on a Grizzlies team who are also 14-11 and 8-4 in the Big Sky this season.

“We (are) really excited,” junior guard Jeremiah Davis said. “Going to sleep Sunday night, waking up Monday, thinking it’s ‘oh it’s a big week,’ and attacking this week strong. So, everybody’s pretty excited. We all pumped up. We all ready. Practice went great today. A lot of preparation. So yeah, we’re ready.”

The Montana State women’s team is the No. 2 ranked team in the Big Sky heading into this one. The Cats defeated the Lady Griz 82-44 in their first matchup and are confident they can sweep the Griz in enemy territory.

“If we come out like how we know we can, then we’re basically unstoppable,” freshman guard Brianne Bailey said.

The MSU women are 17-6 overall and are 10-2 in Big Sky play. The Lady Griz have struggled this season with a 7-16 record and a 4-8 conference record.

“I’m really excited,” freshman guard Jamison Phillip said. “It’s so much fun to get a win at home, but it’s even better sometimes to get one on the road and to show other people who aren’t from here what you’re capable of as a team.”

The women’s game will take place in Missoula on Saturday at 2PM MT and the men’s game will follow at 7PM MT.

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Montana

Montana ranchers push for mandatory beef labeling as imported meat increases

Published

14 hours ago

February 11, 2026

Press Room

Montana ranchers push for mandatory beef labeling as imported meat increases

NORTH CENTRAL MONTANA — As changes to U.S. meat labeling rules took effect earlier this year, some Montana ranchers hoped new “Product of USA” regulations would help clarify the origin of beef sold in grocery stores. But with an increase in imported lean beef trimmings being blended into ground beef products, producers say the need for transparency has become even more urgent.

Madison Collier reports – watch the video here:

Country Of Origin Labeling debate continues

In January, updated “Product of USA” labeling rules went into effect that allow beef processors to use that designation under certain conditions.

Check our previous coverage here

Now, some producers across Montana are adding their voices to a renewed push for mandatory country-of-origin labeling, arguing that voluntary or conditional labeling doesn’t go far enough to ensure traceability in a changing market. In January, members of the Montana Country-of-Origin Labeling Coalition held a press conference in Billings calling on Congress to reinstate mandatory COOL and restore “fair and transparent markets” for producers and consumers alike.

Learn more about the coalition’s efforts here

Mandatory COOL was repealed in 2015 after the World Trade Organization ruled that it discriminated against Canada and Mexico’s livestock exports.

Since then, beef labeling has been largely voluntary, leaving no federal requirement to disclose where cattle were born or raised.

At the heart of the debate is the question of how consumers can know where the beef they buy was raised and processed. With more imported beef entering the U.S. market, producers say the current labeling framework allows ground beef products to mix domestic and foreign beef without clear identification.

The western district director of the Montana Cattlemen’s Association and a producer out of Fairfield, Tim Brunner, has been among those emphasizing the uncertainty that creates for consumers.

“Now would be a great time to implement COOL, to prove and show people what you’re buying,” Brunner said. “The consumer’s going to pay the same price for beef, except now it may have more blended foreign beef in it, and they won’t even know.”

Proponents of mandatory labeling argue that it would give consumers confidence in what they’re purchasing and help U.S. producers distinguish their products in a competitive global market.

While the Montana Stockgrowers Association is not a part of the Montana COOL Coalition, Leslie Robinson, the president of the association, echoed that point, saying traceability isn’t just about marketing, it’s about safety and trust.

“We raise a very healthy, safe product in the United States, and traceability is important,” Robinson said. “Consumers should be able to know where their beef comes from and have confidence in the standards behind it.”

Currently, the labeling landscape includes both voluntary and conditional designations, but no nationwide requirement that beef products state their country of origin. That was the case before the repeal of M-COOL nearly a decade ago, and the coalition argues that turning back the clock on mandatory labeling could provide needed clarity as market dynamics shift.

As debates continue around beef imports, labeling standards, and trade policy, these Montana producers maintain that clearer rules will benefit both ranchers and consumers by making the supply chain more transparent from pasture to plate.

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Montana

Looking More Like February

Published

1 day ago

February 10, 2026

Press Room

It’s looking more like February and winter with more snow on the ground in parts of Montana than there has been in a while. That was a pretty good storm and several Montana cities including Helena, Lewistown, Baker and Miles City received more precipitation from this one storm than typically occurs in the entire month of February. However, the rest of the week will be dry and mild. There will be lots of sunshine over the through the rest of the workweek. Wednesday a little snow will fall in southern Montana along I-90, but most of the rest of the state will be dry with comfortable temperatures and decent sunshine. Thursday and Friday will be partly to mostly sunny with highs in the 40s to near 50. Saturday is Valentine’s Day and the weather looks mostly cloudy with highs in the 40s and low 50s with dry conditions. Sunday will be mostly cloudy with an outside chance at a few flakes or drops. Overall most of the state will be dry with highs in the 40s to around 50. Monday is looking mild and dry but starting Tuesday there is a chance of snow and colder temperatures. The pattern next week will be colder with snow moving through the West. Winter is not over yet, but time is winding down.

Have a great day,
Curtis Grevenitz
Chief Meteorologist

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