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San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens (4) kicked in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers faced the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.
San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens (4) kicked in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers faced the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle
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Quarterback Nick Mullens (4 years old) of the San Francisco 49ers is interviewed after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, November 1, 2018. (AP Photo / John Hefti)
Quarterback Nick Mullens (4 years old) of the San Francisco 49ers is interviewed after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, November 1, 2018. (AP Photo / John Hefti)
Photo: John Hefti / Associated Press
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Santa Clara, Calif. – November 1: Nick Mullens # 4 of the San Francisco 49ers appear to be up against the Oakland Raiders in their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Daniel Shirey / Getty Images) less
Santa Clara, Calif. – November 1: Nick Mullens # 4 of the San Francisco 49ers appear to be up against the Oakland Raiders in their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo … more
Photo: Daniel Shirey, Getty Images
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Quarterback Nick Mullens (4) of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. (AP Photo / John Hefti)
Quarterback Nick Mullens (4) of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. (AP Photo / John Hefti)
Photo: John Hefti, Associated Press
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Quarterback C.J. Beathard (3 years old) of San Francisco at an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo / Rick Scuteri)
Quarterback C.J. Beathard (3 years old) of San Francisco at an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo / Rick Scuteri)
Photo: Rick Scuteri / Associated Press
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Quarterback CJ Beathard, No. 3 of the San Francisco 49ers, is on the field after an incomplete pass at the end of the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018. Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 18-15. (Photo by Norm Hall / Getty Images) less
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Quarterback C.J. Beathard, No. 3 of the San Francisco 49ers, is on the field after an incomplete pass at the end of the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at … more
Photo: Norm Hall / Getty Images
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Lead Coach Kyle Shanahan meets with Nick Mullens, No. 4, San Francisco 49ers before their game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California.
Lead Coach Kyle Shanahan meets with Nick Mullens, No. 4, San Francisco 49ers before their game against the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California.
Photo: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images
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Pierre Garcon, No. 15 of the San Francisco 49ers, celebrates with Nick Mullens, No. 4, after a 24-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during their game in the NFL at Levi's Stadium on November 1, 2018 in Santa Clara, California.
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Pierre Garcon, No. 15 of the San Francisco 49ers, celebrates with Nick Mullens, No. 4 after a 24-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during their game in the NFL at Levi's Stadium on the 1st November 2018 in Santa Clara,
… more
Photo: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Santa Clara, California on Thursday November 1, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Santa Clara, California on Thursday November 1, 2018.
Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens, right, sits on the bench during the second part of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Santa Clara, California. California, Thursday, November 1, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens, right, sits on the bench during the second part of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Santa Clara, California. California, Thursday, November 1, 2018.
Photo: John Hefti / Associated Press
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Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, left, hosts San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, November 1, 2018.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, left, hosts San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, November 1, 2018.
Photo: Ben Margot / Associated Press
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Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle
San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens (4) kicked in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers faced the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.
San Francisco quarterback Nick Mullens (4) kicked in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers faced the Oakland Raiders at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018.
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle
Nick Mullens: The quarterback of the 49ers will remain against the Giants
Nick Mullens will continue to play prime time.
On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told him he would remain the starter when the 49ers receive the Giants Monday night.
Mullens, 23, began his second career career after his impressive debut in front of a national audience in a 34-3 loss to the Raiders on Thursday night. He completed 16 of 22 passes for a total of 262 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His smuggling score (151.9) was the highest by a 49ers quarterback since Alex Smith (157.1) on October 29, 2012.
"It was a great experience, but we are obviously at next week," said Mullens. "In this league, a week is not a season, so we have to keep going."
Mullens, an unnamed free agent whom Shanahan called the 49ers' "secret weapon" joke last week, will not come as a surprise to the Giants. Offensive midfielder Matt Breida smiled when asked how New York could prepare differently from the Raiders.
"I think they're going to be like," Oh, shit, this guy is good, "said Breida." And they'll put a few more people to cover just because of the throws that he's made."
Mullens assumed the place of C.J. Beathard, who supported him against Oakland because he had a sprained right wrist. Last year, as a rookie, Beathard was replaced by Jimmy Garoppolo after a 1-4 record in his debut. This season he went 0-5 after Garoppolo was put away with a torn ACL.
"It's difficult … two years in a row, it's going well," Beathard said. "It's something that will make me stronger in the end, I think. I think God is testing me. I think it will make me a better person and a better quarterback in the long run. "
For his part, Mullens does not look too far ahead. And he finished thinking of a beginning that had stifled him in an interview with Fox's Erin Andrews after the game.
"It's over, really," said Mullens. "It's time to get to the giants, but it was a very cool moment, I'm trying to give it everything I've got, and when your work pays off, it's exciting." . "
Eric Branch is a writer at the San Francisco Chronicle.
