Andy Isabella and KeeSean Johnson shared a hotel room for several months this offseason, where they would sit on their beds and dream big about their NFL future.
Those goals did not become reality in the first half of the season, as the rookie receivers struggled to find substantial roles in the Cardinals' offense. Early this week, coach Kliff Kingsbury made it clear the duo would have its chance on Thursday night against the 49ers, and both came through.
Isabella and Johnson each snared their first career touchdown catches, which helped keep the Cardinals close in a 28-25 loss to the 49ers.
"You go through a whole journey with a lot of ups and downs, twists and turns," Isabella said. "I think what me and KeeSean have done so well is keep fighting. We show up every day and put in the work. It paid off tonight for us."
Isabella, a second-round pick in April, was barely used early in the season, and even against San Francisco was not on the field a ton. But he came up with the biggest play of the night, catching a pass from quarterback Kyler Murray, sticking his foot in the ground near the sideline and sprinting up the field for an 88-yard touchdown.
The score brought the Cardinals to within a field goal late, and while the offense never got the ball back, it was a play Isabella will never forget.
"It was kind of a surreal moment," said Isabella, who thinks Larry Fitzgerald hid the football he hopes to keep as a memento. "I think I was taken back down to earth when Larry and Christian (Kirk) tackled me."
Johnson, a sixth-round pick, had a great training camp and began the season as a starter but watched his snaps dwindle in recent weeks. He was a healthy scratch last week against the Saints.
"Going out there and not being able to not be in the game, it kind of hurt," Johnson said. "It was only motivation, though."
Johnson dropped an early pass against the 49ers but did not sulk. He hauled in a 9-yard touchdown pass from Murray early in the third quarter to pull the Cardinals to within 21-14.
"In the heat of the moment I wasn't really thinking about it (being his first touchdown), and it still didn't hit me when I was in the end zone," said Johnson, who finished with two catches for 22 yards. "And then after awhile, it's like, 'You've got your first NFL touchdown now.' My dad, I gave him my first ball in college, so I went to him and gave him my first one in the NFL."
PUGH STARTS AT RIGHT TACKLE
Left guard Justin Pugh moved to right tackle against the 49ers because starter Justin Murray was inactive with a knee injury. Pugh had not played the position since 2017 with the Giants.
"I don't think people realize how difficult it is," Pugh said. "I didn't get any practice reps. Not one single live rep until I got into the game. … It wasn't something I was looking forward to, but if it gives us a chance to win games, I'm doing whatever it takes."
Mason Cole started at left guard, as Kingsbury decided to shuffle his line around to get the best five players on the field. Cole started all 16 games at center last season as a rookie.
The Cardinals allowed three sacks in the contest.
"Really proud of Justin Pugh," Kingsbury said. "We asked him to make that move to get out there for the betterment of the team and he hadn't done that in years. He stepped out there and competed his tail off. Mason Cole stepped in. Going against a very good front, we saw at times that it was hard to slow those guys down, but they battled and gave us a chance at the end."
BAKER SHINES IN SECONDARY
The Cardinals' defense played poorly as a whole against the 49ers, but Budda Baker produced one of the finer games of his career. The third-year safety was all over the field, finishing with 13 tackles, three passes defensed and a pair of tackles for loss, all of which led the team.
His lone blemish came late in the first quarter, when 49ers tight end George Kittle beat him off the line and then stiff-armed Baker for a 30-yard touchdown. Baker got the better of the matchup at other times with at least two pass breakups.
"I went against him a few times," Baker said. "It was good. He's 6-4 and I'm 5-9, so he grabbed my shoulder and threw me (on the touchdown). I asked for P.I. He's a great player, though."
Images from Thursday Night Football at State Farm Stadium
QB Kyler Murray
RB Kenyan Drake
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Halloween.
Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman (25) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
RB Kenyan Drake celebrates his touchdown run.
49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) pulls in a touchdown pass as Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (17) is hit by Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (32) as defensive back Tramaine Brock (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake.
49ers tight end George Kittle (85) scores a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals Kenyan Drake (41) score a touchdown as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake warms up prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
A Cardinals fan cheers prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
RB Kenyan Drake celebrates his touchdown run.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
RB Kenyan Drake takes the first carry of the game 36 yards.
A Cardinals fan on Halloween.
S Budda Baker breaks up a pass intended for 49ers TE George Kittle.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws against the 49ers.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) tries to avoid Arizona Cardinals defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the Cardinals.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (right) celebrates his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (left).
49ers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders scores a touchdown as Cardinals linebacker Haason Reddick defends.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws against the San Francisco 49ers.
49ers tight end George Kittle is tackled short of the goal line by Cardinals safety Deionte Thompson.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo gets the throw off as Cardinals linebacker Terrell Suggs applies pressure.
49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel can't make the catch as Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks defends.
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald against the 49ers.
49ers defensive end Nick Bosa blocks against Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries.
49ers running back Matt Breida avoids the tackle of Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson.
Cardinals wide receiver KeeSean Johnson celebrates his touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers with fans during the second half.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is tackled by 49ers defensive end Dee Ford during the game on Halloween.
Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones celebrates his sack of 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during the second half on Thursday.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the Cardinals during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald takes a hit by 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.
Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake during the second half.
Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers late during the second half.
49ers running back Tevin Coleman is hit by Cardinals linebackers Jordan Hicks and Cassius Marsh.
A fan dressed in a halloween costume cheers during the second half of an NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night.
49ers wide receiver Richie James runs as Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck defends.
Cardinals wide receiver Andy Isabella runs for touchdown after the catch as 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward pursues during the second half.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo greets Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones after the game in Glendale, Ariz. The 49ers won 28-25.
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald greets 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman after the game on Thursday Night Football. The 49ers won 28-25.
49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo greets Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray after the game. The 49ers won 28-25.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury (left) greets San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan after an NFL football game on Halloween in Glendale, Ariz. The 49ers won 28-25.
