Karlis, Broncos Kick Back to Beat 49ers, 16-13

Fooled once by Candlestick Park’s notorious winds, Rich Karlis didn’t let it happen a second time.

Karlis, who missed a 34-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in regulation Sunday, kicked a 22-yarder in overtime to give the Denver Broncos a 16-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

“I should have aimed more for the left post,” Karlis said of the kick he missed. “I aimed for the middle, and that was my mistake.

“I thought I hit it good, but it took off (right). This wasn’t a day to hit a golf ball or kick a football, either.”

With the strong wind gusts, it also was no day to pass, as the quarterbacks discovered. The game-winning field goal came after Denver cornerback Steve Wilson intercepted a pass by Steve Young at the 49er 12 and returned it to the 5. Two plays later, Karlis connected.

Young, who took over at quarterback for the 49ers (4-2) when Joe Montana left with bruised ribs, threw a pass from his 3-yard line that deflected off the hands of Jerry Rice.

“It was as bad as I’ve ever seen it,” Montana said of the wind. “It definitely altered our play calling.”

Denver tied the score, 13-13, with 6:23 left in regulation when Vance Johnson caught an 8-yard pass from John Elway for the Broncos’ first touchdown in more than 9 quarters of play. The Broncos drove 58 yards after defensive tackle Greg Kragen recovered a fumble by Montana.

Elway got the drive started with a 16-yard completion to tight end Clarence Kay. The Broncos’ starting quarterback was shaken up later on the drive and was replaced for 1 play by Gary Kubiak, who ran 13 yards to set up the touchdown.

Denver’s last touchdown before Sunday came in the second quarter 2 weeks ago in a game the Broncos lost, 30-27, in overtime after leading the Raiders, 24-0, at halftime. Karlis has kicked 9 field goals in the last 3 games and is 13 for 17 this season.

San Francisco’s only touchdown, breaking a 3-3 tie, came in the second period on a 95-yard drive. It began on Montana’s 55-yard pass play to John Taylor and ended with Montana scoring from 6 yards out on a quarterback draw.

Karlis made a pair of 27-yard field goals, in the second half, and the 49ers’ Mike Cofer was successful on kicks of 37 and 27 yards.

“We couldn’t throw well into the wind,” 49er Coach Bill Walsh said. “We did everything we could to move the ball, short of passing, and it finally caught up with us.”

The 49ers relied on the running of Roger Craig, who had 143 yards.