Tradition Is Upheld by 49ers

Same old 49ers, same old Rams.

San Francisco forced three fumbles, blocked a punt and got three touchdown passes from Steve Young to overwhelm bumbling St. Louis, 30-10, Sunday.

The 49ers (5-1) scored 20 points off the miscues en route to their fifth consecutive victory and 15th in a row over the Rams (2-4), who haven’t beaten San Francisco since 1990.

“I think they were frustrated before they got here. They were tired of people saying how many times we beat ‘em. I think that showed when things started going our way and some of them lost their composure,” said 49er linebacker Lee Woodall, referring to several pushing episodes between the teams.

“It was an upsetting day for them and a good day for us.”

Even with the frequent scrapes between the teams, the crowd was so blase about the 49er pummeling of the Rams that fans saved their loudest cheers for a third-quarter flyover by the Navy’s Blue Angels, performing in a waterfront air show as part of the city’s “Fleet Week.”

Young, who completed 19 of 30 passes for 223 yards, completed his first 10 throws, including touchdown pass plays of five yards to Terrell Owens and 10 yards to Greg Clark. His 11th pass was intercepted by Ryan McNeil and returned 75 yards for the Rams’ only touchdown.

The Rams were virtually lifeless on offense, unraveling after Bryant Young ended their first possession by sacking Tony Banks and forcing a fumble, the ninth by Banks in four games against the 49ers.

“I might have been too gun-shy out there today,” Banks said. “Their pass rush was just awesome. They blew through our line and nailed me.”