There was no denying the moment. Phil Dawson could feel the difference as he paced backwards to line up the 33-yard field goal attempt. Longsnapper Kyle Nelson and punter/holder Bradley Pinion were unusually quiet.
Focus was essential amid wet conditions at Levi’s® Stadium, and neither player wanted to be the one responsible for keeping Dawson away from the looming milestone.
“I could sense the anticipation and excitement,” Dawson said. “I lined up, it was a great snap, a great hold, the guys protected well, and I just tried to punch it through.