Hayne, who only switched sports earlier this year, was a surprise inclusion in San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula's starting lineup at the Levi's Stadium for the long-awaited season-opener.
But the 27-year-old's dream debut turned into a nightmare with his very first touch in the second quarter. He fumbled what should have been a straightforward punt return near the 43-yard line to concede a turnover.
Hayne was only a fleeting presence thereafter, upstaged by fellow running back Carlos Hyde, who rushed for two touchdowns to finish with 168 yards from 26 carries. Hayne finished with 13 yards from four carries.
Nevertheless, the Australian star put a positive spin on his display.
"I just prepared the best I could and I'm definitely going to learn from this game," Hayne told reporters.
"It was my first professional game. It started a bit shaky but it was good to get out there and get a couple of runs."
Hayne said his fumble came about after he was distracted by the oncoming Minnesota rushers.
"As the ball was coming down I just looked where their rushers were," he said. "I was in emergency mode, trying to make a play, make a catch, and it didn't happen."
Veteran 49ers kicker Phil Dawson -- the second oldest player in the league at 40 years old -- contributed the rest of San Francisco's points with the boot, including two field goals.
Minnesota's lone score came through a Blair Walsh field goal in the fourth quarter from 37 yards.
It was a disappointing night for Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, anxious to make a big impression on his return to the game after missing most of last season through suspension for beating his son with a tree branch.
In the earlier game on Monday, the Atlanta Falcons held on to clinch a thrilling 26-24 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in a tense battle at the Georgia Dome.
Falcons receiver Julio Jones caught two touchdown passes while veteran kicker Matt Bryant slotted four field goals as Atlanta withstood a furious second half Eagles onslaught to clinch a first win for new coach Dan Quinn.
"What an awesome finish," Quinn said. "We thought it would come down to the finish, just like it did."
Jones was the star for Atlanta, collecting nine receptions for 141 yards, including a decisive 44-yard catch that set up Bryant's game-winning 47-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
The Eagles, who had trailed 20-3 early in the third quarter before staging a comeback through two DeMarco Murray touchdowns, had chances to win. But kicker Cody Parkey missed a 44-yard field goal attempt.
Quarterback Sam Bradford also threw his second interception of the night on the Eagles final drive, with Atlanta safety Ricardo Allen gathering the ball to ensure the Falcons victory.
"We're going to learn," Philadelphia coach Chip Kelly said.
"I thought our approach and what we did in the second half, we can build upon that, and then the first half we correct that."
Both the Eagles and Falcons are aiming to recover from disappointing campaigns last year, when they failed to reach the playoffs.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
