Exasperated Cowboys want explanation for no-call on 49ers’ key touchdown pass

SANTA CLARA – Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks is a 10-year veteran, a 32-year-old who has been through dozens of postgame press conferences and thus practiced the art of saying the right thing.

But even a grizzled long-timer like Kendricks couldn’t help but show his frustration when asked whether or not he believed the 49ers got away with offensive pass interference on George Kittle’s 2-yard touchdown in the 49ers 30-24 victory on Sunday night. 

Wide receiver Chris Conley decked safety Donovan Wilson with 7:16 left in the third quarter, freeing up the 49ers’ All-Pro in the flat on National Tight End Day for his sixth touchdown of the season. Two officials threw flags, but referee Bill Vinovich later announced that there would be no penalty for offensive pass interference.

“They threw two flags, so I thought it was a guaranteed (penalty),” Kendricks told the Bay Area News Group. 

“I mean, you hope that one goes our way, but at the same time, we’ve got to do our part to keep them out of that position,” Kendricks continued before adding, “You know, blah, blah, blah … but two flags, you know?”

Vinovich has been the subject of ire by both fanbases in the recent past. He was the referee in the 49ers’ divisional playoff over the Cowboys after the 2022 season and has officiated both of Kansas City’s Super Bowl victories over San Francisco.

Add Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy to the list of those in the Dallas locker room who were less than thrilled with the officiating.

“Two flags were thrown, and when they were thrown I clearly thought it was a pick play,” McCarthy said after the Cowboys dropped to 3-4. “You need to go ask (the officials) for an explanation because it was a key play in the game.”

A big reason for Kittle’s big day was the 49ers’ ability to get receivers open on crossing routes, something Dallas knew was coming but still couldn’t stop. 

“We know who their target is, but they have a lot of other weapons and they try to spread it across the field,” Kendricks said. 

For his part, Conley said he didn’t think he should have been flagged.

“When everything is tight down there, there’s always a chance, but I was talking to the ref and at first when they threw the flag they thought I wasn’t running a route,” Conley said postgame. “But I said I’m obviously running a route inside of a guy and then got trucked. Another ref came in who saw it, they talked about it and they picked it up.”

Of course, that call and Kittle’s big day weren’t the only reasons the Cowboys lost to the Niners for the fourth consecutive time. 

Cornerback Jourdan Lewis downplayed the significance of that streak.

“We want to win against everyone, and we’re just trying to get out of a rut,” Lewis said. 

Instead, he gave Kittle his props after going for 128 yards and a touchdown. 

“He’s a really good player, and Shanahan does a good job of getting him in space and getting him off the press,” Lewis said. 

But despite being outgained in yardage 469 to 242 and giving up 21 consecutive points in the third quarter, the Cowboys couldn’t quite escape the shadow of what they considered poor officiating on key pass plays.

As McCarthy walked out of the postgame press conference, he was asked if he believed 5-foot-7 receiver KaVontae Turpin had been interfered with on the Cowboys’ deep desperation pass on their final possession. McCarthy simply chuckled and shrugged.

Reporter Jerry McDonald contributed to this story.