When Kliff Kingsbury was an assistant coach at the University of Houston, he liked to spend his Sundays watching DeAndre Hopkins dominate for the Texans.
The Cardinals' coach is enjoying this up-close view even more.
Hopkins had a phenomenal debut for the Cardinals following his blockbuster addition this offseason, catching a career-high 14 passes for 151 yards in a 24-20 road upset of the 49ers on Sunday.
The All-Pro receiver didn't find the end zone, but went down inside the 1-yard-line on a 33-yard reception late in the fourth quarter, and running back Kenyan Drake scored on the next play for the game-winning points.
"I love the way he plays the game on Sunday," Kingsbury said. "He plays with a passion and a toughness that's fun to be around. To watch him do it today – I didn't know he was going to go for that many catches. But he got hot, and Kyler (Murray) and him got in a rhythm. I'm just excited that he's a part of our organization."
There was never doubting Hopkins' talent, but it was fair to question if he would make this type of immediate impact. He had to deal with a new scheme, a new playcaller and a new quarterback, all while missing a significant chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury.
None of that mattered after kickoff, as Hopkins instantly became the go-to guy on an offense in need of one.
"Kyler kept giving me the ball, kept feeding me, and we kept making plays," Hopkins said.
Hopkins signed a contract extension last week that ties him to the Cardinals through the 2024 season. He is ecstatic to be with the Cardinals and has spoken of pairing with Murray for the years to come.
After one game, the Cardinals have to be thrilled with the duo's potential moving forward.
"After what you guys (in the media) saw today, the sky's the limit on what this team can do," Hopkins said.
TURNER BLOCKS 49ERS' HOT START
The 49ers dominated the early portion of the game, but linebacker Ezekiel Turner kept the Cardinals in the game with a critical blocked punt midway through the first quarter.
He shot up the middle and got a hand on the ball as it left Mitch Wishnowsky's foot. Linebacker Dennis Gardeck recovered at the San Francisco 10 and running back Chase Edmonds scored on the next play to cut a 10-point deficit to three.
"We knew we wanted to pressure this team early," Turner said. "We know what we have on our special teams unit, and we knew we had to do something to help the team. I just brought it. Got the look we wanted, and came out with a play to help the team."
NO AIR QUALITY ISSUES
There was some concern the game would need to be moved or postponed because the air quality was so bad in Santa Clara due to nearby wildfires.
It went on as scheduled, and defensive lineman Corey Peters said the poor air didn't have much effect on his breathing.
"I could tell the difference visibly, but being out there, I didn't notice a visible difference as far as my wind," Peters said.
THOMPSON, COLE LEAVE GAME
Second-year safety Jalen Thompson left the game with an ankle injury on the first defensive series and didn't return. Chris Banjo took his place and had a late interception, but it was negated by a pass interference penalty on linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Center Mason Cole injured his hamstring and was replaced in the lineup by second-year center Lamont Gaillard.
Images from the season opener in Santa Clara
Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds dives for a touchdown.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
WR DeAndre Hopkins
QB Kyler Murray
Cardinals RB Chase Edmonds (29) dives past 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander (56) to score a touchdown.
LB De'Vondre Campbell (59) and LB Devon Kennard combine for a goal-line stand.
49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) runs toward the end zone to score a touchdown against the Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury watches from the sideline.
WR Larry Fitzgerald
San Francisco 49ers players and coaches stand in the far end zone during a presentation on social justice at Levi's Stadium before an NFL football game between the 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif.
Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (33) breaks up a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor during the second half.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs against the San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) catches a pass against Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa during the first half.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury, right, watches during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) is congratulated by teammates after scoring against the San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. (92) pulls down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon (28) runs against Arizona Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) runs past San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass against San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (41) during the first half.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs against Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker during the first half.
Cutouts are seated at Levi's Stadium as Arizona Cardinals kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) kicks a point after try during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman to score a touchdown during the second half.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jordan Reed (81) runs against Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker De'Vondre Campbell during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence (92) celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) gestures during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) runs toward the end zone to score a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon, left, runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury shake hands after an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Cardinals won 24-20.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates with cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. The Cardinals won 24-20.
