Bono Helps 49ers Defeat Jets, 23-10

The San Francisco 49ers, playing without quarterback Joe Montana, who was resting his sprained knee, were down to their third quarterback when Steve Young left with his own knee problems in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

No problem. Steve Bono, the former UCLA quarterback, came on and completed four straight passes, including one to Jerry Rice, who made a spectacular leaping catch to complete a 45-yard touchdown pass play.

It was the big play of a 23-10 victory for the 49ers, who improved to 7-1 to take a two-game lead over the Rams in the National Conference West. The Jets are 1-7.

Three field goals by Mike Cofer also helped the 49ers maintain their reputation as road warriors. They have won 19 of their last 21 road games and all of their victories this season have come away from Candlestick Park.

In the first quarter Sunday, a Young-to-Brent Jones 10-yard touchdown pass gave the 49ers a 7-0 lead.

On Bono’s first play after coming in for Young, things didn’t go too well. He completed a short pass to Craig, who was hit by Kerry Glenn and fumbled. The Jets’ Erik McMillan grabbed the ball at the San Francisco 45-yard line and ran untouched down the left sideline for a score. It was the safety’s third touchdown this year and second on a fumble return.

But Bono and the 49ers bounced back with the touchdown pass to Rice. The All-Pro receiver leaped high above Bobby Humphery and McMillan at the two and came down with the ball in the end zone.

The Jets didn’t come close to threatening the rest of the half, which ended 20-7. They weren’t much better in the second half and have scored only one offensive touchdown in five games.

Bono relieved Young again early in the fourth quarter, but Young was able to finish up.

Bono, in his fifth year as a pro, spent his first two seasons with Minnesota and the last two with Pittsburgh. Last season, he played in only two games, completing 10 of 35 passes for 110 yards.

This year, as a free agent, he beat out former Fresno State quarterback Kevin Sweeney for the third spot on the 49ers.

Said Rice: “It seems no matter who gets hurt, we have somebody who can come in and get the job done. Joe goes down and Steve Young comes on, or Steve Bono comes on. It’s just the way we do things.”

Said Bono: “I was worried about my inactivity. There’s always a little doubt. I get little practice time, if any.”