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Laviska Shenault gives Seahawks life with 97-yard return TD
Laviska Shenault. Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Watch: Laviska Shenault gives Seahawks life with 97-yard return TD on 'TNF'

In need of a big play, the Seattle Seahawks got one from returner Laviska Shenault.

With the Seahawks trailing the San Francisco 49ers 23-3 with 9:54 left in the third quarter, Shenault avoided three tacklers, exploding for a 97-yard kickoff return touchdown. The fifth-year wideout is only the second player this season to return a kickoff for a score, joining Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas, who accomplished the feat in Week 1. 

For Shenault, the incredible return helped him make up for a mistake earlier in the game. With 13:30 left in the second quarter, he fumbled a kickoff. The 49ers recovered, leading to three points.

The spectacular special teams play seemed to light a fire under the Seahawks. After Seattle's defense forced a 49ers' three-and-out on the ensuing possession, the offense marched down the field for a 13-play, 94-yard drive, capped off by a Kenneth Walker one-yard touchdown run. That cut the deficit to 23-17 with 1:23 remaining in the third quarter.  

The Seahawks fell behind the 49ers early 16-0 and looked lifeless for much of the contest. But, with a little over a quarter left to go, Shenault and Walker's scores have made it a game.

Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb

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