Kemp and Rice Are Too Much for Colts, 35-14 : 49er Pair Team Up for 3 Touchdowns in the Second Half to Beat Indianapolis

The San Francisco 49ers’ Super Bowl glory days were built on the Joe Montana to Dwight Clark connection. Nowadays, it’s the Jeff Kemp to Jerry Rice show.

Kemp’s strong arm and Rice’s speed combined for touchdown pass plays of 45, 16 and 58 yards in the second half Sunday as the 49ers overcame an erratic start to beat the winless Indianapolis Colts, 35-14.

It was a display of quick and explosive scoring prowess rarely seen when Montana was nursing the 49ers’ ball-control passing game.

“When I see (Rice) running free it gives me confidence,” said Kemp, starting his fourth game for San Francisco since Montana injured his back. “I can throw it out there about as far and high as I want and know he’s going to get to it.”

Rice finished with 6 catches for 172 yards. Kemp had 18 completions in 27 attempts for 274 yards.

“We’ve always wanted a big-play receiver and we certainly have him, and we have to take full advantage of him,” said 49er Coach Bill Walsh, who drafted Rice in the first round in 1985 out of tiny Mississippi Valley State.

“The offense is somewhat different now with Jeff than you saw with Montana,” Walsh said.

Kemp has the arm to reach Rice on the deep routes. Montana, who watched the game from owner Edward DeBartolo Jr.’s box, was more adept at shorter passes, using his accuracy to keep the 49ers moving. When Montana needed a big play, he looked for Clark. When Kemp needs the big one, he goes for Rice, who had only one regret after tying a team record with the three touchdown catches.

“I’m gratified, but sorry I wasn’t able to break it,” he said. “That will give me a goal in the future.”

Defense also made a big difference for the 49ers (4-1), who are tied with Atlanta and the Rams for first place in the NFC Western Division.

The 49ers gave up a long scoring drive and an 84-yard scoring pass play from rookie Jack Trudeau to Bill Brooks in the second quarter, but shut down the Colts (0-5) in the second half.

San Francisco scored touchdowns after four turnovers, including three interceptions against Trudeau and a fumbled snap.

Kemp’s 45-yard touchdown pass to Rice, who glided gracefully under the ball to take it in full stride, opened the second half deluge and gave San Francisco a 21-14 lead.

The pass came four plays after an interception by San Francisco safety Tom Holmoe on the 49ers’ 36.

Trudeau also had his first pass of the game intercepted by rookie cornerback Tim McKyer, who picked off the ball on the Indianapolis 21 and ran it untouched into the end zone.

Ronnie Lott made San Francisco’s third interception against Trudeau, grabing a ball tipped by Colts’ receiver Albert Bentley and returning it 18 yards to the Indianapolis 40.

Halfback Joe Cribbs, who carried 19 times for 75 yards, then ran twice for 18 and 6 yards, and Kemp threw a 16-yard scoring pass to Rice that gave San Francisco a 28-14 lead.

Kemp and Rice connected again moments later on a 58-yard touchdown bomb after Michael Walter recovered Trudeau’s fumbled snap.

The 49ers had a much tougher time in the first half against the Colts (0-5).

Indianapolis fullback Owen Gill tied the game, 7-7, with a one-yard burst early in the second quarter.

Trudeau briefly redeemed himself for his early interception, hurling the ball nearly 60 yards and hitting Brooks in stride two steps ahead of McKyer on San Francisco’s 35. The rookie from Boston University trotted into the end zone to give the Colts a 14-7 lead that brought boos from the crowd of 57,252.

The 49ers tied the game, 14-14, with 45 seconds left in the first half as Cribbs ran nine yards for a touchdown.