PRO FOOTBALL : Sanders’ Fine Performance Clinches Win : NFC: 49er cornerback returns interception 74 yards and is ‘fined’ $100 for high-stepping.

Leave it to Deion Sanders to get fined for prematurely breaking into his high-step routine in his starting debut for the San Francisco 49ers.

Sanders returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown with 32 seconds remaining, prancing the final 25 yards, as the 49ers overcame offensive problems to beat the New Orleans Saints, 24-13, Sunday.

When he joined the 49ers nearly two weeks ago, Sanders promised he wouldn’t high-step more than 20 yards.

“For all of you who are into discipline, I’m fining Deion Sanders $100,” 49er Coach George Seifert said. “I told him to start high-stepping at the 20 and he started at the 25. And I’m paying the fine.”

Said 49ers fullback Marc Logan: “If he doesn’t I will. At midfield, he just took off. That’s why he’s ‘Prime Time.’ He did it in a prime time in the game, right when we needed it.”

San Francisco was clinging to a four-point lead and Jim Everett was moving the Saints when Sanders stepped in front of Michael Haynes for the interception. He bolted down the right sideline, cut across midfield and was in the clear as he broke into his high-step.

“I’m just happy to catch the ball, and when I catch the ball I have an opportunity to do some things with it,” Sanders said.

Said quarterback Steve Young: “It was a fourth-down pass. He could have knocked it down and we would have won anyway. But it was fun watching him run it back. It was great.”

Sanders, a free agent who chose San Francisco over the Saints and several other teams, was making his starting debut at cornerback after playing in a reserve role against the Rams last week.

He took over at right corner for Merton Hanks, who shifted to free safety. That move paid dividends when Hanks thwarted another Saints drive with an end-zone interception with 1:54 left after Everett guided New Orleans to the San Francisco 30.

“The 49ers were very strong defensively, and with Deion out there, that makes them even better,” Everett said. “They made the plays--huge ones--when they needed them. Hanks made a helluva play. You’ve got to give Deion credit for making a great play, but the pass wasn’t where I wanted it.”

Young, playing behind an injury-decimated offensive line, was sacked five times but managed two touchdown throws to Jerry Rice. Center Bart Oates was the only starter from San Francisco’s opening-day line. Guards Derrick Deese and Chris Dalman and tackles Frank Pollack and Harry Boatswain all started in place of injured regulars.

“It was bedlam,” Boatswain acknowledged.

Vince Buck’s interception of Young stopped a fourth-quarter San Francisco drive, but New Orleans took over at its two and couldn’t get a first down.

Young finished with 247 yards, completing 25 of 39. Everett completed 31 of 55 for 291 yards and a touchdown.

“Seventeen (offensive) points was so-so,” Young said. “Obviously, we can play better. I think it’s a critical challenge and I think we’re handling it.”