Live blog: 49ers vs. Rams

SAN FRANCISCO — This is the live blog for the Niners Week 13 game against the St. Louis Rams. I will be updating this frequently from the press box at Candlestick Park.

The 49ers inactive players are Scott Tolzien, Braylon Edwards, Shawntae Spencer, Moran Norris, Daniel Kilgore, Mike Person, and Ian Williams.

That means Ted Ginn Jr. will start opposite Michael Crabtree at wide receiver.

The Rams inactive players are Sam Bradford, Darian Stewart, Cadillac Williams, Josh Hull, Kevin Hughes, Mark LeVoir, and C.J. Ah You.

That means A.J. Feely will start at quarterback for the Rams.

1:13 The Rams are kicking off. This will be the first time all season the Niners will start a game with the ball.

First Quarter

1:16 Ted Ginn Jr. returns the first kickoff of the game to the SF 27 yard line.

1:16 On first down Frank Gore runs a counter off the right tackle and picks up eight yards. Bruce Miller had a nice lead block on the play.

1:17 On second and short Smith fakes a handoff and scrambles left for two yards and a first down.

1:18 On first down Smith checks down immediately to Vernon Davis in the flat. Gain of one.

1:19 Next play the Niners run the same play with the same result. Smith completes a short pass to Davis for one yard. Third and eight.

1:20 Smith throws to Davis over the middle, but safety Quintin Mikell knocks the ball away.

1:21 Andy Lee boots the punt 61 yards into the end zone for a touchback.

1:21 On first down Steven Jackson runs up the middle and gets tackled by NaVorro Bowman after a gain of two.

1:21 On second down Jackson runs up the middle again, and this time Ray McDonald tackles him after a gain of two. Third and six.

1:22 Feely throws behind Austin Pettis and the ball falls incomplete. Punter Donnie Jones kicks a short punt that bounces out of bounds at the SF 36.

1:25 On first down Smith fakes a handoff to Hunter, then rolls right and hits a wide open Michael Crabtree for a gain of 14.

1:26 Next play Gore runs off right tackle for a gain of one. Kyle Williams is in the game now at wide receiver.

1:26 On second down Smith completes a pass to Ginn Jr. on a bubble screen for a gain of four. Third and five.

1:27 Smith completes a ten-yard pass to Kyle Williams, who freed himself on a double move over the middle. First down.

1:28 Next play Gore runs off left tackle for another gain of one.

1:28 Smith completes a pass to Vernon Davis in the flat, Davis sheds one tackle and picks up 13 yards for another first down. First and ten at the STL 21.

1:29 Gore takes a draw up the middle for another gain of one. Kendall Hunter replaces him in the huddle for second down.

1:30 Smith, lining up in the pistol, hands off to Hunter who runs up the middle for a gain of two. Third and seven from the 18.

1:31 Smith hits Crabtree in the hands on a short slant but Crabtree drops the pass.

1:31 David Akers makes a 36-yard field goal, and the score is 3-0 Niners with 4:54 left in the first quarter.

1:34 Touchback: David Akers. Rams to start at their own 20 again.

1:36 A.J. Feely completes a bubble screen to Austin Pettis, who picks up 12 yards and a first down.

1:38 Next play Feely takes a seven-step drop and completes a short pass to Brit Miller who breaks a Patrick Willis tackle and picks up 18 yards. Willis is down on the field, and he’s holding his right leg.

1:40 Now Willis limps off the field with two trainers under his arms for support. Larry Grant takes his spot in the lineup.

1:41 On first down Jackson runs up the middle for two.

1:42 Next play the Rams run what appears to be a fumble-rooskie. They get called for a false start.

1:42 Next play Feely throws an incomplete pass at Lance Kendricks’ feet.

1:43 On third down Feely completes a bubble screen to Miller and Aldon Smith tackles him after a gain of eight.

1:43 Jones punts another short one, and Ginn Jr. fair catches it at the SF 13. 2:28 left in the first quarter.

1:44 Willis is surrounded by trainers on the sideline, but he’s standing. He’s not wearing his helmet. He can definitely put weight on his right leg, which is an encouraging sign.

1:45 On first down Gore runs around the right end for a gain of five.

1:47 On second down Hunter runs around the right end for a gain of four. Third and one.

1:48 Justin Bannan jumps encroaches the Niners line. Five yard penalty, automatic first down. Ball at the SF 27.

1:49 The Niners line up in a jumbo package, and Gore runs up the middle for four.

Second Quarter

1:50 Patrick Willis has a right “hamstring injury” and his return is doubtful.

1:52 On first down Smith lines up in the shotgun, the Rams blitz, and Smith completes a pass to Crabtree on the right sideline, who breaks one tackle and picks up a first down. Gain of 15.

1:53 Next play Gore bounces a run outside to the right and gains two yards. He just broke Joe Perry’s 49ers rushing record.

1:54 Next play the Rams blitz both middle linebackers, and James Laurinaitis sacks Smith for a loss of eight. Third and 16.

1:54 Smith completes a checkdown pass to Hunter, who picks up fourteen yards. And the Niners are going for it at the STL 46 with a fourth and two.

1:56 But Adam Snyder moves early. False start, five yard penalty, and here comes Andy Lee.

1:57 Lee punts it 38 yards, and Nick Miller fair catches it at the STL 13.

1:58 Jackson runs up the middle and Ricky Jean Francois tackles him after a gain of one. He’s in for Sopoaga at nose tackle.

1:59 Tarell Brown sprints at Feely on a corner blitz, and Feely throws incomplete. Third and nine.

2:00 Feely drops back and moves his arm in a throwing motion but forgets to hold on to the ball. It squirts out of his hand and Aldon Smith recovers at the STL 6 yard line.

2:01 Next play Gore runs up the middle for two yards.

2:01 The Niners line up in Jumbo with Isaac Sopoaga. Gore runs a sweep around the left end for a gain of three. Third and goal at the one.

2:02 The Niners line up with zero wide receivers, letting everyone in the world know they were running. Smith hands off to Gore who gains nothing. Bad play call by Roman there. David Akers time. He makes a 20 yarder. 6-0 Niners with 8:39 left in the second quarter.

2:08 On first down Feeley fakes a handoff, sidesteps Justin Smith in the pocket and completes a 17-yard pass to Pettis.

2:09 Jerious Norwood runs around the right tackle for no gain.

2:09 Feeley completes a nine-yard pass to Brandon Lloyd, but the rams chop blocked Parys Haralson on the play. 15 yard penalty. Second and 25 at the STL 22.

2:11 Norwood up the middle for two.

2:11 Jackson runs up the middle this time, and he gets two as well. Larry Grant made a nice tackle on the play.

2:12 Ginn Jr. takes the fair catch at the SF 35. 5:33 left in the first half.

2:14 On first down Smith throws high on a checkdown pass to Gore in the flat. Incomplete. But the Rams get called for a five-yard illegal contact penalty. First and five.

2:15 Next play Smith runs the triple option, keeps the ball himself, runs around the left end and picks up eight.

2:16 On second and two Gore runs a sweep to the left and gets tackled in the backfield for a loss of three.

2:17 On third and five Smith hits Crabtree on a quick slant for a gain of 15 and first down.

2:17 Next play Smith throws a perfect pass deep in the end zone for Vernon Davis, but he just drops it.

2:18 On second and 10 Smith checks down to Hunter, who picks up ten. Good play call and execution. First down.

2:19 Next play Gore runs off right guard for a gain of 20 and a first down.

Two Minute Warning.

2:21 Vernon Davis berates himself on the field during the timeout, and Mike Iupati consoles him.

2:22 Smith sidesteps one rusher in the pocket but then he gets sacked by Chris Long, who beat Anthony Davis to the inside on the play. Loss of two. Second and 12 from the STL 12.

2:23 Smith lines up in the shotgun and gives a inside handoff to Gore, who gets those two yards back. Third and ten.

2:25 Smith gets hit by Chris Long as he throws, and the pass falls incomplete. Long beat Davis to the inside again on this play. Akers comes on and makes a 28-yard field goal. 9-0 Niners with 1:41 left to play in the half.

2:28 Rams to start this drive at their 20.

2:29 Feeley completes a quick pass to Gibson for 13 yards and a first down.

2:29 Feeley goes back to Gibson again on second down, but this pass gets broken up.

2:29 David Akers just set the Niners single season field goal record with 31.

2:30 Feeley overthrows Lloyd on the right sideline. Incomplete.  Third and ten.

2:30 Feeley avoids Aldon Smith but not Larry Grant, who plants him in the grass for a sack. Loss of seven.

2:32 Niners start at their 43. Smith drops back, gets grabbed, and throws an innaccurate pass to Hunter in the flat. Incomplete.

2:33 Next play, Smith completes a pass to Vernon Davis. He fumbles and Ginn Jr. recovers, but you can’t advance the ball on a fumble inside of two minutes, so the Niners get the ball at the spot of the fumble – the STL 44. Gain of 17.

2:35 Delay of game, 49ers. First and 15 at the STL 49 with 38 seconds left in the half.

2:36 Smith had an open Ginn Jr. down the left sideline, but he throws the pass too far and out of bounds. But if he had thrown it perfectly it wouldn’t have counted, because Mike Iupati was holding. Ten yard penalty. First and 25.

2:37 Smith completes a pass to Ginn Jr. over the middle for a gain of 14. The Niners call their last timeout of the half with 26 seconds left.

2:38 Smith takes another shot at a wide open Ginn Jr., this time down the right sideline, but he overthrows him again, and Mike Iupati gets called for holding again. The Rams blitzed and the Niners O-line couldn’t pick it up. Second and 21.

2:39 Smith completes a short pass to Vernon Davis on the right sideline for a gain of four yards. Third and 17 with 16 second left.

2:39 Davis and Iupait get beaten, and Alex Smith gets sacked again. Chris Long gets the credit. That’s his second sack of the game, and his seventh in six weeks.

Halftime

Alex Smith: 13 for 18 for 128 yards. 91.9 rating. Two drops that count and two bad overthrows to Ginn Jr. that don’t count because of Iupati holding penalties.

Third Quarter

2:54 Rams start at their own 18. Feeley checks down to Jackson, who picks up 11 yards before Donte Whitner tackles him.

2:55 Next play Jackson runs up the middle and Dashon Goldson tackles him in the backfield for a loss of one.

2:56 Feeley throws it up to Lloyd on the left sideline, who’s in man coverage against Tarell Brown. Lloyd jumps up and catches it over Brown’s head, despite pass interference. First down at the SF 38.

2:57 Feeley gets hit by Haralson as he throws deep and Goldson picks the ball off. Niner ball at their 24.

2:58 Goldson gets flagged for excessive celebration. Half the distance to the goal on that penalty, so the Niners start at their 12.

3:01 Gore runs a power sweep to the right and picks up six yards. Kyle Williams subs in for Crabtree.

3:01 Smith hands off to Ginn Jr. on a quick end around, and he picks up 16 yards before getting pushed out of bounds.

3:02 This time Smith hands the ball off to Delanie Walker on another end around, this one to the left. Walker breaks a tackle and gains 14.

3:03 Smith fakes a handoff to Hunter, looks downfield and fires a perfect deep pass to an open Crabtree, who catches it in stride and runs five yards into the end zone. That’s a 52-yard touchdown. Akers makes the extra point. 16-0 Niners.

3:07 The Rams start at their 23. Jackson runs up the middle and gains three.

3:09 Jackson runs up the middle again, and this time McDonald tackles him in the backfield for a loss of one.

3:10 On third and long Feeley throws in the flat to Pettis, and Carlos Rogers breaks the pass up. Punting time for the Rams. Jones punts it to Ginn Jr., who returns it seven yards to the SF 37.

3:12 Kaepernick, Hunter, Rachal, and Boone are eagerly standing next to Jim Harbaugh on the sideline with their helmets on, but the starters are still in the game, except Kyle Williams, who’s playing for Crabtree right now.

3:13 Smith fakes a handoff to Gore, roles right and hits Ginn Jr. on a deep dig. Ginn Jr. reverses field and runs all the way from the left sideline to the right, but Kyle Williams gets called for an illegal block in the back. Niners first down at the STL 47.

3:14 Next play Gore runs around the left end for five yards.

3:15 Smith hands off to Williams on another end around. Williams stiff arms Mickell downfield and picks up 25 yards.

3:16 Next play Gore runs off left guard for a gain of seven. Second and three at the STL 10.

3:17 Gore runs up the middle for no gain this time. Third and three.

3:17 Roman takes Alex Smith in the game and lines up Kendall Hunter in the wildcat formation. He runs left and loses seven yards.

3:18 David Akers makes the 34-yard field goal. 19-0 Niners with 5:41 left in the third quarter.

3:21 Rams start at their own 20 again. Feeley fakes the handoff to Jackson, no is surprised, and he throws incomplete. Brown had tight coverage.

3:21 Feeley completes a pass to Gibson on the right sideline for seven yards. Tarell Brown is shaken up out of bounds on the Rams sideline. He jobs off the field. It appears he tweaked his lower right leg, perhaps his ankle.

3:23 On third and four Aldon Smith throws the Rams left tackle onto his back and sacks Feeley for a loss of seven. Rams punt to Ginn Jr., who returns the ball to the SF 33. 4:28 left in the third quarter.

3:25 Gore up the middle for three.

3:25 Second and seven, Gore up the middle for another three.

3:26 On third and four Gore makes a nice block for blitz pickup in the pocket, and Smith completes a nice pass to Crabtree over the middle for a gain of 12.

3:27 Next play Smith overthrows Vernon Davis down the middle of the field. Davis was double covered on the play. Bad pass, bad decision.

3:28 Next play Gore runs up the middle for one. Third and nine.

3:29 James Hall beats Mike Iupati and sacks Smith. Lee punts it to Nick Miller, who fair catches it at the STL 18. 50 seconds left in the third quarter.

3:30 Jackson runs a counter off the left tackle and gains nine.

3:31 Jackson runs up the middle and gets smacked for no gain by a helmet-less Larry Grant. Third and one.

3:33 Feeley hands off to Miller, who gets hit by Bowman and loses a yard. Rams guard Jacob Bell is down on the field. Punter Donnie Jones is on the field. The Rams are actually going to punt. I’m not making this up.

3:35 Ginn Jr. returns the punt 11 yards to the SF 40.

3:36 Alex Smith is still in the game.

3:37 Smith hands off to Gore, who runs power to the left for a one-yard gain. Gore comes out of the game – Hunter replaces him.

3:38 This time Hunter runs power to the left, and he gains three. Third and six.

3:39 The Rams show blitz and Jim Harbaugh calls timeout before Alex Smith gives up a delay of game penalty.

3:41 The Rams blitz, the Niners O-line picks it up, Smith completes a pass to Williams on a dig route, he catches it, turns upfield, breaks one tackle and he’s gone. He runs 48 yards for a touchdown. He’s very fast. Akers makes the extra point. 26-0 Niners with 12:42 left to play.

3:45 Miller returns the kickoff to the STL 26. On first down Norwood runs up the middle for three.

3:46 Center Jason Brown false starts. Second and 13 from the 18.

3:47 The Rams run a sprint right option, and Feeley completes it to Pettis for a gain of four.

3:48 Offsetting penalties, repeat third and nine.

3:49 Feeley completes a pass to Alexander just before Aldon Smith decks him. Gain of ten, plus a 15-yard late hit penalty on Larry Grant. First and ten at the STL 47.

3:50 Norwood tries to run around the right end but he gets tackled for a loss of one by Justin Smith.

3:51 Feeley fakes a handoff and throws a pass deep down the middle of the field to Gibson on a dig route, but Carlos Rogers played it well and batted the ball away.

3:51 On third and 11 Feeley throws off his back foot and completes a 14 yard pass to a diving Gibson. First down.

3:52 Next play Feeley fakes a handoff and throws deep to Alexander, but Whitner knocks the ball away for an incompletion.

3:53 Next play Norwood runs off right tackle and picks up four yards before Rogers flips him.

3:53 Pettis takes a reverse around the right but gets tackled by Bowman for a loss of six. Fourth and 12, but of course they’re going for it.

3:54 Aldon Smith sacks Feeley, sprints off the field, places his helmet gently down and sits on the bench, all in under five seconds. Hilarious sack celebration.

3:55 Colin Kaepernick is in the game.

3:57 Hunter runs a sweep around the right end for two yards.

3:57 Kaepernick fakes a handoff, roles out to the right and throws a strike against his body to Peelle, but Peelle drops it. Third and eight.

3:58 Kaepernick drops back and fires a fastball over the head of Walker. Incomplete. Lee punts. Rams ball at their 12.

I’m going down to the field. Back at you in a little bit.

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