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Hawkeye connection: George Kittle hooks up with QB CJ Beathard for big gain in return from injured list

Scott Schultz

By Scott Schultz

Published:

George Kittle is back.

The San Francisco 49ers tight end has been out with a foot injury for the last six games, and when third-string Niners quarterback C.J. Beathard found out he was getting the start on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals, he sent a text to his former Iowa teammate and told him to be sure he’d be ready to play.

It didn’t take long for the teammates to connect again when Beathard hit Kittle for a 24-yard pass on the 49ers’ second drive, kick-starting the momentum for an eventual 21 -yard touchdown pass to Jeff Wilson, Jr. to put the Niners up 7-3 in the first quarter.

Getting Kittle back in action is such a welcome sight:


It’s the Iowa alum’s ninth year together, dating back to their redshirt freshman seasons in 2012. Kittle arrived in Iowa City from Norman, Oklahoma, and Beathard came in from Franklin, Tennessee.

Kittle on Thursday called their long-time bond “pretty special,” adding: “He’s one of my best friends and he’s really excited. All he’s done is wait for an opportunity to play, and I’m excited to share the field with him again.”

Scott Schultz

Scott Schultz covers Michigan State Football, along with Breaking News for B1G Football & Basketball for Saturday Tradition. He also serves as an Automotive News Editor & Writer, and Softball Writer elsewhere on the web. Follow him on Twitter @SRSchultz.