Kansas City Chiefs WR Mecole Hardman claimed a piece of NFL history in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Hardman made most of his six touches during the win over San Francisco. He finished the game with four receptions on four targets for 32 receiving yards and two rushes for 28 yards, combining for 60 yards from scrimmage. He managed three total touchdowns on the day with two of his touchdowns coming on the ground, while another was a receiving touchdown.
Not only did this game mark Hardman’s first multi-touchdown performance of his young career, but he also managed another first. According to NFL Research, Hardman became the only wide receiver in the Super Bowl era with two or more rushing touchdowns and one or more receiving touchdowns in a single game.
Mecole Hardman is the first wide receiver in the Super Bowl era with 2+ rushing TD and 1+ receiving TD in a single game. #ChiefsKingdom @Chiefs @MecoleHardman4
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) October 23, 2022
Speaking on Hardman’s touchdowns after the game, Chiefs HC Andy Reid said there wasn’t anything particular about this matchup that caused them to dial those up.
“Not necessarily,” Reid said. “Coach (Andy) Heck had these jet sweeps dialed up and he really liked them. . . I thought Mecole (Hardman) did a heck of a job going fast, being patient and then hitting it. Then our guys blocked it well. I think he had three touchdowns on basically the same play call.”
The irony of all of this is that the Chiefs were playing against the 49ers — who have made WR Deebo Samuel the preeminent dual-threat receiver in the NFL. Kansas City spoke all week long about the challenge Samuel’s versatility posed to their defense. As it turns out, San Francisco probably should’ve been preparing for and thinking the same thing about Hardman’s ability to carry and catch the ball.
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