49ers Whip Cowboys
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Fueled by critics writing off the team as a contender because of a supbar preseason, the San Francisco 49ers made an emphatic statement to the contrary, whipping the Dallas Cowboys 28-17 Sunday afternoon at AT&T Stadium.
San Francisco’s ball-hawking defense coupled with quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s precision proved the perfect recipe on opening day. The 49ers turned four Dallas turnovers into three touchdowns, and Kaepernick threw for two scores — both to tight end Vernon Davis — and 201 yards.
“Everyone was ready to get to the season, ready to play and ready to start trying to put these wins together,” Kaepernick said after completing 16 of 26 passes.
The outcome wasn’t too surprising considering the recent history of these glamour franchises. San Francisco has been to three consecutive NFC Championship games, while the Cowboys have posted three straight 8-8 seasons.
The 49ers (1-0) needed just 54 seconds to take the lead and never looked back in building as much as a 25-point lead. San Francisco running back Frank Gore also became the 29th player in NFL history to surpass 10,000 yards rushing.
“Lot of great play,” said 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who improved to 4-0 in season openers. “Lot of great team play and individual play. Guys looked around the locker room after the game and realized all the
young guys that stepped up in this game and then all the veteran players, the guys that have been there before and have the battle scars, they led the way.”
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo passed for 281 yards and a touchdown, but was also intercepted three times — all in the first half. Dallas running back DeMarco Murray had 118 yards rushing and a score, but his fumble led to the game’s first touchdown and set the momentum in the 49ers’ favor.
“You can’t give a like that four opportunities by giving the ball away,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.
The 49ers kicked off but were on the board before the game was one minute old. After a false start penalty and 18-yard completion to Terrence Williams, Murray was stripped of the ball on his way down and San Francisco cornerback Chris Culliver leisurely picked up and strolled 35 yards into the end zone.
The Cowboys (0-1) methodically drove down the field on their ensuing drive, as Romo was able to spread the ball around through the air and Murray picked up good chunks of yardage on the ground.
The drive reached the 2-yard line before defensive tackle’s Justin Smith’s 9-yard sack of Romo forced Dallas to settle for a field goal midway through the first quarter.
The 49ers’ lead was back up to 14-3 with breathtaking ease, as Kaepernick engineered an 80-yard drive in three plays lasting just 88 seconds. The final 29 came as Kaepernick skipped out of a potential sack and found Davis at the goal line. Davis bobbled the ball before securing the touchdown.
“They gave us opportunities and we took advantage,” Kaepernick said.
The visitors were hardly done. Romo was picked off for the first time this season on the next Dallas possession by safety Eric Reid, who nearly returned the interception for a touchdown.
Kaepernick found Davis from two yards out one play later for a 21-3 lead that fired up a stadium that had more than its share of 49er fans.
Another Romo pass intended for receiver Dez Bryant was intercepted late in the second quarter and turned into another touchdown. Running back Carlos Hyde punched it in from short for a 28-3 bulge going into halftime.
“I was disappointed in the way I played in the first half,” Romo said. “That’s not the way you want to play. I didn’t play well enough to have a chance.”
San Francisco opens up Levi’s Stadium against Chicago next week and the Cowboys look to rebound at Tennessee.
