Rookie Leads 49ers Past Lions : NFC: Fullback William Floyd scores twice, plays key role in 27-21 comeback victory.

William Floyd, a rookie from Florida State, scored his first two NFL touchdowns, caught several passes and provided Steve Young with enough protection to overcome a 14-0 deficit and guide the San Francisco 49ers to a 27-21 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

Still, he has a few things to learn. Floyd was scolded by Coach George Seifert after each of his finger-pointing touchdown celebrations.

“I can’t play without being excited, and that’s exactly the same thing I would do at Candlestick,” Floyd said. “I’m a rookie, so they won’t let me talk in the huddle yet.”

Young, who was sacked 15 times in the first five games, was sacked only twice by the Lions (2-4), who lost their third consecutive game. The 49ers (4-2), rebounding from last week’s 40-8 loss to Philadelphia, won their fifth in a row against the Lions, including a 55-17 drubbing last year.

“Nothing is easy for us right now, but we’re hanging in there,” Young said. “It’s not easy being down, 14-0, on the road, but we’ve got some guys on the team who have been around a long time. We knew that we didn’t need to scream and panic.”

Floyd, starting at fullback ahead of Marc Logan, carried eight times for 35 yards. He also caught five passes for 43 yards. His two touchdowns came on one-yard runs.

Floyd also helped out as a blocking back as Young, instead of trying to throw downfield, worked on quick, short passes that didn’t require as much time to set up. As a result, Young completed 19 of 25 for 152 yards, including a five-yard touchdown toss to Nate Singleton.

Ricky Watters had 44 yards in 16 carries, including a four-yard touchdown, and Jerry Rice caught five passes for 36 yards.

The Lions, wearing the throwback uniforms they wore for a Monday night victory in Dallas three weeks ago, scored on their first two possessions.