49ers’ Jauan Jennings Joins Exclusive List of Non-QBs to Throw TD Pass in Super Bowl
The San Francisco 49ers scored the first touchdown of Super Bowl LVIII in surprising fashion.
Late in the first half, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy lateraled the ball to receiver Jauan Jennings, who hurled it back across the field to running back Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey caught the ball just inside the 30-yard line and raced all the way to the end zone for six points.
Jennings became the sixth non-quarterback in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl, and the third since 2018, per Stathead.
So, who else is on that list? Let’s dive in:
Robert Newhouse, RB, Cowboys
On Jan. 15, 1978, the Dallas Cowboys led the Denver Broncos 20–10 in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XII. But they weren’t finished yet.
Newhouse took a pitch from quarterback Roger Staubach, rolled to his left and spun around to hurl a pass deep down the field to Golden Richards. What. A. Dime.
OTD 1978
— Old Time Football ???? (@Ol_TimeFootball) January 15, 2023
Super Bowl XII#Broncos #DallasCowboys
Robert Newhouse throws a TD pass to Golden Richards pic.twitter.com/xq0NdT7L5O
The Cowboys beat the Broncos 27–10.
Lawrence McCutcheon, RB, Rams
The Steel Curtain is one of the most iconic defensive lines in NFL history, but Pittsburgh Steelers star “Mean” Joe Greene and company didn’t see this trick play coming from the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV in 1980.
McCutcheon, in what would be his last career playoff game, threw a 24-yard touchdown pass on a halfback option to Rams receiver Ron Smith.
#Rams halfback Lawrence McCutcheon throws a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ron Smith in the third quarter of Super Bowl XIV, January 1980.
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 10, 2022
It is the second of only four touchdown passes thrown by a non-quarterback in #SuperBowl history. pic.twitter.com/Pc7jstIIaR
It gave Los Angeles a brief 19–17 lead, but Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw would lead Pittsburgh on two more touchdown drives to secure the 31–19 win.
Antwaan Randle El, WR, Steelers
In the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XL in 2006, Randle El grabbed the ball from Steelers running back Willie Parker on a reverse. After finding open space to his right, Randle El heaved a perfect pass on the run to receiver Hines Ward for a 43-yard touchdown.
Yes, Randle El was a quarterback at Indiana during his college days. Why do you ask?
A score and a smile ????#OTD in 2006, we defeated the Seahawks in #SBXL. @mvp86hinesward pic.twitter.com/CvDUyntym0
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 5, 2020
Trey Burton, TE, Eagles
Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line in Super Bowl LII in 2018, Eagles coach Doug Pederson dialed up a trick play that now lives in Philadelphia immortality.
The “Philly Special” began with quarterback Nick Foles appearing to change the play at the line of scrimmage. But before he got back under center, Jason Kelce snapped the ball directly to running back Corey Clement, who flipped the ball to Burton. The tight end found Foles wide open across the goal line.
4 years ago today, the Philly special rocked the NFL world during Super Bowl LII. (via @NFLFilms) pic.twitter.com/75Q3g6Jnwd
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2022
The Eagles rode that play to a 41–33 win over the New England Patriots, their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.
Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals
In the second quarter of Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals faced a second-and-goal from the 6-yard line. Mixon caught a pitch from quarterback Joe Burrow, took a few steps and lobbed a wobbly pass to receiver Tee Higgins in the end zone.
Six points.
JOE MIXON THREW A TD IN THE SUPER BOWL. #RuleItAll
— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
????: #SBLVI on NBC
????: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/VuhMuqgiT4
The Rams went on to win that Super Bowl 23–20. Mixon, though, had a big game with one receiving touchdown, one passing touchdown and 72 yards on the ground.
Jauan Jennings, WR, 49ers
Jennings found his way on this list in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII. He also caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to join Foles as the only two players in NFL history to throw and catch a touchdown in a Super Bowl.
Jennings was highly touted as a high school quarterback in Tennessee, and he was even ranked by some recruiting outlets ahead of current NFL QBs Sam Darnold and Joe Burrow.
He showed why here:
Pulled a magic trick in Vegas!#SBLVIII on CBS#FTTB pic.twitter.com/WBF0V073SN
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) February 12, 2024
There’s truly nothing like a well-executed trick play on football’s biggest stage.