Young Marches 49ers By Saints

Steve Young appeared dazed, battered from a ferocious pass rush. San Francisco's offense spiraled downward, and New Orleans was poised to deliver a damaging blow to the 49ers' tottering dynasty.

It wasn't to be, and the closing chapter on San Francisco's two-decade long run of success was put on hold, at least for one week.

Young pulled himself together to throw his second touchdown pass to Terrell Owens, tying it in the late going, and Lance Schulters won it with a 64-yard interception return with 1:31 left as the 49ers beat the Saints 28-21 Sunday.

It was San Francisco's seventh straight win over New Orleans (1-1) and marked their 12th straight regular-season win following a loss. The 49ers were coming off a 41-3 loss at Jacksonville, their worst defeat in the regular season since 1980, prompting predictions of doom and gloom for the 49ers (1-1).

"You watch a game like that and you go through all the emotions

frustration, anger and big plays," said San Francisco coach Steve Mariucci said. "But what I was most impressed with is we just kept playing. It would have been very easy for us to come unglued, but we didn't."

Again it was the Saints that broke down in the end.

"We're tired of getting beat by the Niners," said Saints defender Chris Hewitt, whose roughing-th-passer call was a late turning point.

Added Saints coach Mike Ditka: "They don't put any fear into us now, that's for sure. We still ended up losing, so I don't know what I say about that. We don't quake when they walk past. It will be interesting to see from here on out, for them and us, to see where we go."

The game had some bizarre turns, with two botched snaps on punts, a dropped pitch, a trick play that saw Saints holder Tommy Barnhardt line up at quarterback and Young complete a handoff while he was flat on his back.

It also included a woozy Young, hit constantly and sacked five times by the blitzing Saints defense, coming back to throw the game-saving touchdown pass to Owens with 2:03 left.

"He took a lot of shots but he just kept bouncing back up," Rice said. "He's just very competitive, but we have to do a better job of protecting him."

Shulters, who replaced the released Merton Hanks at safety, then intercepted Billy Joe Hobert's pass intended for Eddie Kennison.

Schulters reversed field and took it in, sweeping down the sideline after linebacker Ken Norton Jr. cleared the final obstacle by upending Ricky Williams with a devastating block. On the play, Williams apparently sprained his right elbow, which was in a brace after the game.

"He just came out of nowhere and knocked him off his feet," Schulters said. "I thought, `Whoa, I've got to go all the way now.' It was just my turn to make a big play. Next week, it will be somebody else's."

The comeback came after Mariucci's questionable decision to pass up an easy field goal and go for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 2 with 8:25 remaining.

Tommy Vardell tried to run it in, but was stuffed by Mark Fields for a 2-yard loss, and New Orleans took over on downs. But the Saints had to punt, and San Francisco tied it the next time it got the ball, with a crucial assist from instant replay and two New Orleans penalties.

A late hit by Hewitt on Young kept the drive alive and a fourth-down pass to Rice, initially ruled incomplete by officials, was turned into a 14-yard reception when San Francisco's challenge was upheld by replay.

"I'm all for instant replay," Rice said. "I knew I made the catch. I got both my hands on the ball and I told coach to challenge it right away. I had a lot of confidence iwould work out."

A pass interference penalty on Tyrone Drakeford moved the ball to the 4, and one play later, Young hit Owens for the winning score.

"That's a good team we played today," a groggy Young said afterward. "I want the 49ers to maintain everything we've had over the years. If it gets more difficult, then fine. I want to be able to do my part."

The Saints broke away from a 14-14 halftime tie on their opening possession of the third quarter.

Williams, who finished with 80 yards rushing in his first full game, got the drive started, shaking loose for a 15-yard run. Cam Cleeland kept it going with a 26-yard reception and Hobert finally passed 12 yards to Lawrence Dawsey for a touchdown, Hobert's third TD pass of the day.

Notes