It’s a Stroke of Genius for 49ers

Jeff Garcia is the latest backup to win for the San Francisco 49ers in the absence of an injured Steve Young. In the process, he validated Bill Walsh’s faith in an obscure quarterback.

Looking much like Young with his nifty footwork and deft throws under pressure, Garcia threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as the 49ers (3-1) held off the Tennessee Titans, 24-22, Sunday.

“I think I really answered some doubts out there,” said Garcia, who spent five years in the Canadian Football League before coming to San Francisco, handpicked to be the backup to Young by Walsh, the 49ers’ general manager and three-time Super Bowl winning coach. “But I think it’s really unfair to put Bill in a position where if I fail, he’s lost his touch; if I do great, then he’s still a genius. The guy’s a genius no matter what. It’s not based on one decision.”

San Francisco’s defense also came up with two key plays in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Winfred Tubbs’ interception of Neil O’Donnell led to Garcia’s second touchdown pass, and after Tennessee scored nine points in the last 3:38, linebacker Lee Woodall burst through the line to tackle Eddie George and foil a two-point conversion try that would have tied it.

It was the 49ers’ 19th consecutive home victory. They are 7-1 in games without Young since 1996.

Garcia completed 21 of 33 passes for 243 yards, including touchdowns of 22 yards to Terrell Owens and 21 yards to Charlie Garner in the second quarter. He also scored on a one-yard bootleg.

The loss denied the Titans (3-1) the first 4-0 start in the 40-year history of the franchise formerly known as the Oilers.

O’Donnell, who led Tennessee to consecutive wins after stepping in for injured Steve McNair, was 20 for 40 for 355 yards, including touchdown passes of 54 yards to George and a 32 yards to Yancey Thigpen.