Watters Has Big Day, but It’s Bad One for Dilfer : NFC: Running back leads the 49ers to 41-16 victory; the Buccaneer rookie quarterback is limited to seven completions.

Ricky Watters broke out of a slump by running for 108 yards and two touchdowns and San Francisco’s defense frustrated Trent Dilfer in his first start as the 49ers routed Tampa Bay, 41-16, on Sunday.

“They said we should beat Tampa Bay. We beat them,” Watters said. “They said we should win big. We won big. We took care of business.”

Steve Young completed 20 of 26 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown in a quietly efficient outing.

Watters’ running mate, rookie fullback William Floyd, ignited San Francisco’s 17-point third quarter with a one-yard scoring run as the 49ers (6-2) pulled away for their ninth consecutive victory over Tampa Bay (2-5).

Dilfer, the Buccaneers’ top draft pick out of Fresno State, completed seven of 23 for 45 yards and was intercepted once, but had receivers drop several of his throws.

“I had high hopes,” Dilfer said. “I thought we’d execute well on offense. I thought we’d play a lot better game than we did and I thought I would play a lot better game than I did.”

The outing nevertheless was an improvement over his last effort, when he came on for Craig Erickson and threw three interceptions during a two-minute span Oct. 9 against Atlanta.

The roles were reversed Sunday as Erickson came on to play the final 13 minutes. He led the Buccaneers to a pair of scores, completing two-point conversions after each of them.

Watters, who struggled behind San Francisco’s injury-ravaged offensive line earlier this season, produced the eighth 100-yard rushing game of his career, but the first this season.

He also had four receptions for 64 yards and averaged 7.7 yards on his 14 carries after entering the game with a per-carry average of 3.2.

“The guys are coming back,” Watters said, noting guard Jesse Sapolu and tackle Steve Wallace are both back from injuries. Tackle Harris Barton and guard Ralph Tamm are nearly ready to return.

The frustrated Buccaneers were called for several penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, and tight end Tyji Armstrong and 49er linebacker Gary Plummer were ejected after a third-quarter fight.