1st QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS, 49ERS 7 – CARDS 3
The 49ers won the toss and elected to receive with Allen Rossum taking it back 104 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive.
Kurt Warner found Steve Breaston on the first play of the game for a 22-yard completion, and then went to Larry Fitzgerald for a 4-yard throw. A 3-yard run by Tim Hightower set up a 3rd and 4. Working out of the shotgun, Warner hit Jerheme Urban over the middle for a 16-yard pickup, setting up the Cards at the 49ers 30-yardline. Hightower enjoyed a 12-yard pickup to again move the chains. Facing another 3rd and 2 at the 10, Warner overthrew Fitzgerald in the end zone, and Arizona settled for a 28-yard Neil Rackers kick.
Kentwan Balmer fielded the kickoff and enjoyed about a 10-yard return, but unfortunately Jeff Ulbrich was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty at the end of the play, pushing the offense back to the 19-yardline for their first start.
On 1st and 10 from the 19, Frank Gore drug a few defenders with him for an impressive 8-yard gain. Gore picked up a yard and then Michael Robinson lined up as quarterback and faked a handoff to Gore before heading out to his right for the first down yardage. On their next 3rd and 6, Shaun Hill completed a pass to Bryant Johnson, but it wasn't nearly enough for the first down. The 49ers had gotten into a 2nd and long situation after a 5-yard penalty on tight end Billy Bajema.
After a few players missed diving tackles on Breaston, tight end Delanie Walker wasn't about to miss. He squarely took Breaston down at the 30-yardline after a 22-yard return.
The 49ers defense held the Cards potent offense to a quick three and out with Warner throwing behind Anquan Boldin on a 3rd and 3 pass play.
Dirk Johnson had some pressure coming up the middle and hit a horrible punt that sailed out of bounds at the 49ers 40-yardline.
After a three-yard Gore carry, Hill was flagged for an intentional grounding penalty, bringing up 3rd and 7. S. Hill hit J. Hill who picked up 11 yards on the play to move the chains. A direct snap to Gore earned only two yards. On 2nd and 8, Hill's throw to Isaac Bruce was defended by Roderick Hood, leading to a 3rd and 8 at the Arizona 44. Hill had solid protection up front and went back to J. Hill again along the 49ers sideliones. Officials ruled him out of bounds, but the re-play did show that both feet were down. Head coach Mike Singletary challenged the call but unfortunately, the 49ers lost as officials ruled that Hill didn't maintain possession as he went to the ground.
Edgerrin James carried up the middle for a 3-yard gain, significant since James didn't see a single snap last week in their game against St. Louis. A deflected Warner pass was almost picked by a diving Walt Harris, and then was followed by a false start, setting up a 3rd and 12. With pressure coming from Roderick Green off the edge, Warner's next hurried throw to Hightower was dropped.
Rossum handed off to Nate Clements on a reverse, who beat a few players before he was gang tackled at the 45-yardline after a 16-yard pickup on the enusing punt return.
Rookie Chilo Rachal came in at right guard for Tony Wragge and immediately delivered a huge block on a stretch play out to the right, freeing Gore for a 20-yard gain to end the first quarter.
**2ND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS, 49ERS 21 – CARDS 10
**The 49ers scored on the first play of the quarter with a 31-yard rainbow pass to Josh Morgan, giving the 49ers a 14-3 lead.
Warner hit Breaston for an 18-yard slant pass and then aired it up to deep to Breaston, who was covered by Joe Staley and Walt Harris. The 46-yard completion set Arizona up at the 14-yardline. James gained a yard on the ground on 1st and 10, but on 2nd and 9 from the 13, Warner avoided a sack and then got the ball to Anquan Boldin, who ran his way into the end zone for the score. The 4-play drive covered 78 yards and ended with just over 11 minutes.
The 49ers offense was held to their first three and out series. Shaun Hill got pressure on his first down throw by Bertrand Berry and couldn't deliver to his intended target. With pressure coming again, Hill checked it down to Gore over the middle, who was quickly stopped by Roderick Hood.
Andy Lee boomed a 63-yard punt and then got great help from Tully Banta-Cain who drove Breaston backwards after a 10-yard return.
Breaston answered with a nice catch along the 49ers sidelines to move the chains. Boldin then took a direct snap and gained 13 yards out to the 44-yardline. A screen pass to Hightower was stopped by Justin Smith for about a 4-yard gain. Another hurried pass to Breaston gained four yards again, setting up a key 3rd and 3 at the 49ers 49-yardline. A shovel pass to Boldin picked up 5 yards and a first down. Clements stripped the ball out from Hightower and recovered the ball, but Arizona quickly challenged. Officials ruled he was down by contact and Arizona retained possession of the ball. On 2nd and 9, Warner's throw to Boldin was off the mark, bringing up another important 3rd and 9 for the 49ers defense. Warner went back to Boldin, who evaded Michael Lewis and Tarell Brown, and then Keith Lewis for a 22-yard gain. The 49ers defense got Arizona in another 3rd down situation, this time 3rd and 6. A handoff to Boldin didn't gain enough, leading to another Rackers field goal from 33 yards out. The 12-play, 65-yard drive ended at 4:44 left in the quarter.
A false start on Joe Staley let the 49ers redo a 3rd down play that did not earn the first down. Hill immediately took off after taking the snap and despite having his helmet knocked off, continued to fight for extra yards to pick up the first down and convert on the 3rd and 11 play. A delay of game lost five yards for the 49ers, setting up a 1sts and 15 at the 49ers 29-yardline. Gore headed up the middle and got three yards, bringing the game to the two-minute warning. A throw to Johnson set up a 3rd and 1. With the clock running out, the 49ers were forced to use their final timeout of the half, with 1:54 remaining. Robinson gained two yards and a first down. Hill's pass for Gore was dropped as he tried to make a turn before securing the ball. Hill got the ball to J. Hill for a first down at the 31-yardline, who got out of bounds to stop the clock with 1:20. A shot to Isaac Bruce in the end zone was broken up by R. Hood, who pulled Bruce down from behind for what should have been a pass interference call. A run play to Gore counted for an 8-yard pickup. On 3rd and 2, Hill got the ball to Johnson who made the first down catch and got out of bounds for a first down at the 20. Hill was forced to throw it away, leading to a 2nd and 10 with 41 ticks to go in the half. Pressure on the next play also forced another hurried out off bounds Hill pass, leading to a 3rd and 10. Hill delivered the ball to Vernon Davis, who made the touchdown grab over Adrian Wilson and then hung on to it despite being drilled after the catch. Davis was flagged for removing his helmet after the score, which was assessed on the kickoff.
Joe Nedney booted a nice kick despite the penalty which was muffed by Arizona before going out of bounds at the 8. One pass play from Warner to Hightower ended the first half.
3RD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS, 49ERS 24– CARDS 20
Breaston got out to the 39-yardline on the opening kickoff of the second half for Arizona.
A 9-yard slant throw to Fitzgerald started off the quarter for the 49ers offense and was followed up by a 19-yard completion to Breaston. A short throw to Fitzgerald turned costly as Clements got flagged for a late hit, which set the Cards up at the 14. On a 3rd and 1 a few plays later, Hightower was stopped for no gain. Arizona opted to go for it on 4th and 1 and scored on a quick 5-yard slant throw to Fitzgerald. The 7-play drive covered 61 yards.
TE Billy Bajema fielded another short Rackers' kick and picked up 14 yards before Arizona got him down on the ensuing kickoff.
Gore's 6-yard run converted a 3rd and 4 play to start off the drive, and then picked up a 2nd and 2 conversion after Hill had found Morgan for an 8-yard completion on 1st and 10. Hill then overthrew Davis, who had coverage beat in the end zone on 1st and 10. A 9-yard run by Gore prepped a key 3rd and 1 at the 24. Gore was stopped short and the 49ers went for a 41-yard field goal by Nedney to increase the 49ers to 24-20 lead. The 9-play drive covered 33 yards and ended with 7:02 in the quarter.
Boldin started off the next drive with a 17-yard pickup, while Hightower caught a 3rd & 5 pass to extend the drive. Warner then threw a pass to Urban for 10 yards, and gained another 15 because Michael Lewis hit Warner in the head with his helmet. Patrick Willis stuffed Hightower on a delayed handoff for a loss of 3, followed by a few ugly plays marked by penalties.
Offsetting penalties negated a Ray McDonald sack, leading to a 2nd and 13 redo when Boldin was called for offensive pass interference. Warner's next throw was dropped by Breaston, leading to a 3rd and 23 play. A handoff to Hightower gained 5 yards, leading to an Arizona punt.
Rossum called for a fair catch back at his 10-yardline with 1:33 remaining in the third quarter.
On 1st and 10, Antrel Rolle picked off Hill and returned it for a touchdown for the Cards were ruled for being off-sides, wiping out the turnover. Gore's 2nd and 10 carry gained five yards on the ground, setting up a 3rd and 5 play. Hill bobbled the snap which was recovered by Arizona at the 10-yardline.
Hightower picked up three yards to end the quarter.
4TH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS, 49ERS 24 – CARDS 29
The officials waived off a facemask penalty on Justin Smith, which was the correct call. That led to a 3rd and 5 play from the 5. Justin Smith got around the edge and almost got a sack, but Warner just got the ball off. Officials again flew a flag and waived it off, this time for intentional grounding. This one was not such a good reversal. Rackers' 23 yard field goal narrowed the 49ers to a one-point lead with 14:33 left in the game.
Hill converted a 3rd and 9 for the 49ers on the next play with a 12-yard completion to Isaac Bruce. The 49ers faced another 3rd and 4 at the 39-yardline, but Gore let the ball slip thru his hands and the 49ers had to punt.
Lee put up a 52-yard punt that was fair caught at the 9-yardline.
A throw to Breaston and then Fitzgerald earned a first down for Arizona. Back to back throws to Boldin picked up 15 and then 16 yards to position the Cards at the 49ers 49. On 3rd and 10, Clements broke up a throw to Fitzgerald to force an Arizona punt with 7:30 left.
The ball was downed at the 14-yardline.
Gore gained three yards on his 1st and 10 carry to start off the drive, and then headed up the middle for another three yard gain. On 3rd and 4, Arizona moved to give the 49ers a first down out at their 25. Hill took a shot for Bruce but overthrew the veteran receiver, who had his coverage beat. Gore gained another three, to set up another 3rd and 7 play. Hill was picked over the middle of the field, with Karlos Dansby getting to the 5-yardline before he was stopped.
Two plays later, Warner hit Boldin, who again weaved his way into the endzone for a 4-yard touchdown, giving the Cardinals their first lead of the night with about 4:16 remaining. After a failed two-point conversion, the 49ers found themselves trailing Arizona 29-24.
Hill went to Morgan on 3rd and 10, and the rookie would have been stopped a yard shy of the first down, but the 49ers got an unnecessary roughness penalty on Karlos Dansby and a first down at the Arizona 38. Hill and the 49ers even overcame an offensive holding penalty and got all the way to the 18 yardline for a 3rd and 3 when a shovel pass was intercepted by Adrian Wilson.
A penalty after the turnover backed the Cards to their 10-yardline. The defense came up with a strong three and out stance and forced a punt.
With 1:06, Hill had one last opportunity. He went to J. Hill for completions of 13, 14 and 14 yards to move the 49ers to the 1-yardline before eventually spiking the ball with 20 seconds. Frank Gore tried to hit the left corner and lost a yard on 2nd and 1. With three seconds remaining, Gore split out wide and the 49ers handed off to Robinson, who was stopped at the 1-yardline as time expired.
4TH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS, 49ERS 24 – CARDS 29
The officials waived off a facemask penalty on Justin Smith, which was the correct call. That led to a 3rd and 5 play from the 5. Justin Smith got around the edge and almost got a sack, but Warner just got the ball off. Officials again flew a flag and waived it off, this time for intentional grounding. This one was not such a good reversal. Rackers' 23 yard field goal narrowed the 49ers to a one-point lead with 14:33 left in the game.
Hill converted a 3rd and 9 for the 49ers on the next play with a 12-yard completion to Isaac Bruce. The 49ers faced another 3rd and 4 at the 39-yardline, but Gore let the ball slip thru his hands and the 49ers had to punt.
Lee put up a 52-yard punt that was fair caught at the 9-yardline.
A throw to Breaston and then Fitzgerald earned a first down for Arizona. Back to back throws to Boldin picked up 15 and then 16 yards to position the Cards at the 49ers 49. On 3rd and 10, Clements broke up a throw to Fitzgerald to force an Arizona punt with 7:30 left.
The ball was downed at the 14-yardline.
Gore gained three yards on his 1st and 10 carry to start off the drive, and then headed up the middle for another three yard gain. On 3rd and 4, Arizona moved to give the 49ers a first down out at their 25. Hill took a shot for Bruce but overthrew the veteran receiver, who had his coverage beat. Gore gained another three, to set up another 3rd and 7 play. Hill was picked over the middle of the field, with Karlos Dansby getting to the 5-yardline before he was stopped.
Two plays later, Warner hit Boldin, who again weaved his way into the endzone for a 4-yard touchdown, giving the Cardinals their first lead of the night with about 4:16 remaining. After a failed two-point conversion, the 49ers found themselves trailing Arizona 29-24.
Hill went to Morgan on 3rd and 10, and the rookie would have been stopped a yard shy of the first down, but the 49ers got an unnecessary roughness penalty on Karlos Dansby and a first down at the Arizona 38. Hill and the 49ers even overcame an offensive holding penalty and got all the way to the 18 yardline for a 3rd and 3 when a shovel pass was intercepted by Adrian Wilson.
A penalty after the turnover backed the Cards to their 10-yardline. The defense came up with a strong three and out stance and forced a punt.
With 1:06, Hill had one last opportunity. He went to J. Hill for completions of 13, 14 and 14 yards to move the 49ers to the 1-yardline before eventually spiking the ball with 20 seconds. Frank Gore tried to hit the left corner and lost a yard on 2nd and 1. With three seconds remaining, Gore split out wide and the 49ers handed off to Robinson, who was stopped at the 1-yardline as time expired.
