|
|
|
|
|
Niners 2-0 for the first time since 1988
By Pearl Allison Lo September 16, 2007 |
||
|
|
|||
|
The San Francisco 49ers are now 2-0 for the first time since 1988, under then head coach Steve Mariucci, the Niners started the season 3-0. San Francisco improved their record to 2-0 with a 17-16 victory on the road against the St Louis Rams on Sunday. The first score went to St. Louis and was a Torry Holt touchdown after the Rams recovered a fumble by the Niners Brandon Williams muffed catch on a punt, which was recovered by the Rams at the San Francisco 25. Rams players were getting through holes but were almost stopped from getting on the board, before the 12-yard pass to Holt from Marc Bulger. The 49ers were good at taking advantage of good field position that came from 2 penalties to St. Louis off punts, as Frank Gore tied the game at 7-7 with a 1-yard run at the start of the 2nd Quarter. The Rams went ahead 10-7 on a 27-yard field goal by Jeff Wilkins at 9:08 in the second quarter. This was the result of a drive that included a 23-yard pass to Isaac Bruce, a 26-yarder to Randy McMichael, and a completed pass by Marc Bulger while he was hit hard by 49er Patrick Willis. Wilkins added another FG as well, this one for 29-yard at 1:55 in the second quarter. The drive included Bulger almost down and out, but saved with a lateral pass to Steven Jackson. Jackson ended up gaining 20 yards and a first down. Isaac Bruce also got wide open for a pass by confusing 49er Walt Harris. In the first half, though St. Louis had more penalties and penalty yards, they dominated in time of possession. In the second half, off the 1st drive, San Francisco was able to get another sack of Bulger by Bryant Young. This one resulted in a fumble with recovery by Derek Smith, but ended on another sack of Smith by Rams' newcomer James Hall, so the 49ers got nothing as they had to punt. However what ended St. Louis's drive was another fumble which occurred with 49er Nate Clements forcing it near the end zone, after a nice completion to Holt. The football ended up going to the end zone for a touchback. It almost seemed like SF would not capitalize again but on 4th and 1, Gore got the first down and more as he rushed for 43 yards for the game-tying touchdown at 2:53 in the third quarter. The point after by Joe Nedney gave the 49ers the lead in the game for the first time, 14-13. This lasted until Clifton Ryan forced a fumble on the 49ers' 48-yard line when quarterback Alex Smith was sacked. The Rams Wilkins made a 53-yard field goal attempt to make the score 16-14 St Louis at 10:09 in the fourth quarter. Another muffed punt, this time against the Rams, gave the 49ers the ball right after a 43 yard punt by Andy Lee, that Dante Hall muffed, and it was recovered by Marcus Hudson of the Niners at 5:42. Nedney then made a 40-yard field goal for the lead change and the final score 17-16 at 3:28 in the fourth quarter. The Rams have now lost 2 straight home games. Game Notes: There were a lot of sacks in the game, 4 on Smith, 6 on Bulger. |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||