SAN FRANCISCO — This is the live blog for the 49ers exhibition game against the Houston Texans.
I will be updating this frequently and answering questions as well throughout the game.
FIRST QUARTER
5:08 Ahmad Brooks picks off Matt Shaub on a screen pass on the first play of the game, and returns the ball 13-yards into the Texans end zone for a touchdown. 7-0 Niners. Brooks continues to have a great preseason.
5:11 First play of the Texans 2nd drive, Schaub completes a swing pass left to Arian Foster, who jukes Dashon Goldson in the flat and runs 12 yards for a first down. On the next play, Andre Johnson beats Tarell Brown and Schaub hits him for a 30-yard completion.
5:18 49ers stop Texans on 3rd and goal from the Niners 9 yard line. Neil Rackers hits a field goal. 7-3 Niners. On the 3rd and long play, Isaac Sopoaga came off the field, Justin Smith and Ray McDonald played defensive tackle, and Ahmad Brooks and Parys Haralson played defensive end. This seems to be the Niners’ nickle alignment.
5:25 49ers first drive, after an 8-yard 1st-down pass from Alex Smith to Ted Ginn, on 3rd and 5 Alex Smith gets sacked by Texans right outside linebacker Connor Barwin. Barwin bullrushed Joe Staley and pushed him right back into Smith.
5:34 A Dashon Goldson red zone interception is called back because Donte Whitner committed pass interference. 1st and 10 for the Texans at the Niners 13.
5:36 On 2nd and goal from the Niners 1, Derrick Ward dives into the end zone for a Texan touchdown. 10-7 Texans. Aside from the interception on the first play of the game, the Texans have had no problem going down the field against the Niners first-string defense. On play action passes especially, at least one Texan has been wide open down field.
5:42 That’s the end of the first quarter, a quarter in which the Texans dominated the 49ers on both sides of the ball. Still no Kaepernick.
SECOND QUARTER
5:45 On 2nd and 1, Alex Smith gets sacked by Antonio Smith and Mario Williams. Williams went right around Anthony Davis, and Smith went by Joe Staley and Mike Iupati untouched. 49ers punt two plays later.
5:52 On 3rd and 1 from the Niners 38, Will Tukuafu hits Texans running back Ben Tate in the backfield. 4th and 1. Score one for Tukuafu in the Tukuafu/Dobbs competition.
5:55 3rd and 3 from the Niners 30, Schaub hits Owen Daniels for a 21-yard completion. Daniels easily beat Aldon Smith, who attempted to cover him.
5:58 Schaub hits Owen Daniels on a 12-yard post over the middle of the field, beating a Niners zone for a touchdown. 17-7 Houston. The 49ers are really struggling to guard Daniels, among other things. Expect to see a lot of passes from Tavaris Jackson to Zach Miller week 1 when the Niners plays Seattle. The Niners need to show they can guard a tight end.
6:05 On 3rd and 12, Kaepernick lines up in the shotgun, steps up in the pocket, fires over the middle high to Delanie Walker, who leaps into the air and makes a terrific catch. 1st down Niners.
6:09 2nd and 8, Kaepernick play action, stares down Braylon Edwards down field and fires a pass to him. Backup safety Troy Nolan reads Kaepernick’s eyes, jumps the route and easily intercepts the pass, returning it for a 73 yard touchdown. 24-7 Texans.
6:18 Ricky Jean-Francois forces and recovers a fumble from Derrick Ward.
6:25 Niners bring Alex Smith back on the field for a 2-minute drill, get to 4th and 1 and punt. Why? Now Schaub is leading a 1-and-a-half minute drill, and he’s got two first downs already.
6:28 Schaub completes a pass to Owen Daniels. Larry Grant puts his helmet on the ball and forces a fumble. 49er football, and Alex Smith is back in. He gets hit on his first pass attempt and his second pass attempt, and throws and interception on the second attempt after Antonio Smith beats Jonathan Goodwin and hits Smith’s right arm. Troy Nolan picks off the punt-like pass for his second pick of the game. The Texans get the ball and the half ends a couple plays later to a chorus of boos.
THIRD QUARTER
6:54 Ronald Johnson drops a punt but recovers it. This comes five minutes after he dropped a third-down pass from Kaepernick.
6:59 2nd and, Kaepernick stares down Chris Long and almost throws another interception.
7:06 Matt Leinart is leading another Texan drive into 49ers territory. Larry Grant is playing well. He made a tackle and hit Leinart on back-to-back plays.
7:08 Neil Rackers hit s a 47-yard field goal. 27-7 49ers. The Texans have scored 27 unanswered points.
7:17 On 3rd and 8, Kaepernick avoids two rushers, rolls right, spots an open Kyle Williams streaking down the field, and overthrows him.
FOURTH QUARTER
7:28 Demarcus Dobbs sacks Matt Leinart. Dobbs seems to get more pressure than Tukuafu at the backup DE spot.
7:29 Ronald Johnson fumbles the punt after Dominique Barber hits the ball loose. Not a good game for Johnson, his spot on the 53-man roster has to be in jeopardy.
7:35 Rackers hits a 30-yard field goal. 30-7 Texans. The Niners have not scored a single point on offense yet, but there’s 8:52 left in the game.
7:40 Kevin Jurovich drops a first-down pass from Kaepernick. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Jurovich doesn’t make the team.
7:42 So far, Kaepernick’s QB rating is 20.8, and Smith’s is 2.8.
I’m heading down to the field now. I’ll be back at your shortly with more blogs.
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