|
 This time, late in the fourth quarter Sunday, he dropped it. Marcus Hudson recovered for San Francisco, setting up the winning field goal in the 49ers' 17-16 win over St. Louis.
The Rams' Jeff Wilkins missed a 56-yard field goal try with 59 seconds to play, the ball falling about a yard short of the goal post.
The 49ers (2-0) won despite struggling offensively most of the game. Alex Smith was 11-for-17 for 126 yards. Frank Gore gained 81 yards on 20 carries, most of those coming on a play that helped turn the game around late in the third quarter.
The Rams were up 13-7 and on the verge of another score when Torry Holt caught a pass at the San Francisco 10 and was stripped from behind by Nate Clemens. The ball skipped into the end zone, then out of bounds, giving San Francisco the ball at the 20.
The 49ers' drive appeared to stall with a fourth-and-1 at the St. Louis 43, but coach Mike Nolan went for it. Gore took a handoff up the middle and got the first down after he appeared stopped by linebacker Chris Draft. But Draft lost his grasp of the running back, who ran to the end zone to make it 14-13.
[to top of second column]
 |
The Rams (0-2) went back on top early in the fourth quarter after defensive tackle Clifton Ryan swatted the ball loose from Smith, setting up Wilkins' 53-yard field goal.
Hall, a two-time Pro Bowl return man acquired in an offseason trade with Kansas City, appeared to have an easy catch on Andy Lee's kick, but the ball went through his hands, setting up Joe Nedney's 40-yard field goal with 3:28 to play.
Marc Bulger was 24-for-41 for 368 yards and one touchdown, a first-quarter 12-yard pass to Holt.
[Associated Press;
by Jim Salter]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
|
