While Ingram’s run helped him match the hype that comes with being a first-round draft choice, another rookie with far less pedigree had the most spectacular play of the night.
Joseph Morgan, a little known prospect who was undrafted out of Walsh University, scored on a 78-yard punt return during which he made one tackler miss with a spin move, slipped two other tackles as he made his way outside and then cut back across the field with breakaway speed.
“I really didn’t think I was going to score at first,’’ Morgan said. “After I got out to the (edge), the first thing I saw was the kicker, and they tell you if the kicker tackles you, don’t even go back’’ to the bench.
David Akers hit a 59-yard field goal for San Francisco, a kick set up by rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s 28-yard scramble late in the first half.
Starters played less than a quarter, and defense dominated during that scoreless stint.
The game also marked the NFL head coaching debut of former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback who will want to see better performances out of starter Alex Smith and his offensive line.
The Saints blitzed relentlessly and had six sacks in the first half.
“We had some errors in protection,’’ Harbaugh said. “We’ve got to make them pay for that. We didn’t capitalize on any of those opportunities. Therefore, they kept doing it.’’
The Niners did not get a first down on their first four series, three of which were thwarted by hits on Smith.
Will Smith had a sack and had another hit that caused an errant pass. Roman Harper had a sack and strip on a safety blitz, but the Niners recovered.
“There was some miscommunication, missed balls on passes,’’ said Alex Smith, who was 2 of 7 passing for 10 yards. “It just wasn’t good. I didn’t feel that great about it. Obviously, it’s the first preseason game. A lot of us have only had five or six practices under our belt.’’
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