San Francisco 49ers fans saw in Week 2 why Torrey Smith was such a prized free-agent acquisition.
The receiver's 75-yard touchdown catch was a lasting takeaway from an otherwise disappointing performance in the 43-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Smith hauled in six passes on seven targets for 120 receiving yards and the score. Smith's touchdown marked the longest reception in the receiver's five-year career, one yard longer than his previous career high of 74 yards. The long touchdown was followed immediately by a fade from Colin Kaepernick to Smith for a two-point conversion.
Despite the loss, Smith said the success in the passing game is still something the team should feel good about going forward.
"It's definitely one of the positives to take from the game," the receiver said. "We were able to move the ball throwing the ball. … And it wasn't like we were stealing yards. (The Steelers) were still out there fighting hard. It's something that we can build on."
Smith wasn't the only member of the 49ers offense to set a new personal best against the Steelers.
Kaepernick's 33 completions were the quarterback's most in a single game. Kaepernick's previous career high was 29, set against the Arizona Cardinals last season. Those 33 completions went for 335 yards and two touchdowns while the quarterback didn't throw an interception.
San Francisco's ground game didn't enjoy as much success.
After Pierre Garçon racked up 168 rushing yards in Week 1, Smith said it was clear the Steelers made stopping the 49ers rushing attack their No. 1 priority.
"You could see it. It was obvious," Smith said. "After what Carlos did in the week before, I think any team's priority would be to stop the run. Any team in the league wants to be able to stop the run and make a team one-dimensional."
For the most part, Pittsburgh accomplished its goal, holding 49ers running backs to 60 yards on 22 carries (2.72-yard average).
San Francisco will work to find balance offensively in its first divisional contest in Week 3 against the Cardinals.
"It's all a part of it," Smith said. "You want to run the ball to open up the pass, and you want to pass the ball to open up the run. The best offenses can do both, but we do understand that our identity is to run the ball and we need to make things happen in the passing game when we do throw it."
Another focus for Smith and the offense will be to finish drives and take advantage of opportunities in the red zone. The 49ers were only able to score touchdowns on 1-of-4 trips inside the Steelers 20-yard line.
San Francisco's other three red-zone chances came on drives that spanned 17, 18 and 15 plays but only resulted in three points on the scoreboard.
As disappointing as the performance was for everyone in the 49ers locker room, Smith was able to shed the proper amount of perspective on exactly what kind of weight the loss should carry.
"They whooped up on us, Smith said. "There's no way around it. I've been very familiar with them. I know what the Steelers are about. You knew that because they got beat the week before, they were going to come back.
"We have 14 games left. If it were late in the year and we really needed it, then there'd be room to panic. But it's just one loss. That's really all it was. Now we need to get ready for Arizona."
