49ers Are Winners in Game for Pride

The artistry of previous games between the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys was missing. The bitterness wasn’t.

The 49ers defeated the Cowboys, 41-24, leaving both teams 1-3.

“We are nowhere where we should be, but it gives us a boost,” 49er Coach Steve Mariucci said.

In a game that featured over-the-top celebrations and acts of retribution, Jerry Rice’s two touchdown receptions provided the only resemblance to the memorable games of the past.

Not even Troy Aikman or Emmitt Smith, who like Rice are veterans of the three consecutive NFC championship games between the teams in the mid-1990s that preceded Super Bowl titles, could turn around Dallas’ fortunes.

Aikman returned as the Dallas starter after missing two games because of his ninth concussion. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 197 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a fumble.

Smith gained only 31 yards in 11 carries as the Cowboys were beaten badly at home for the second time. The Cowboys lost their home opener to Philadelphia, 41-14.

Jeff Garcia completed 16 of 26 passes for 178 yards and four touchdowns, his third consecutive multiple-touchdown game, and Charlie Garner ran for a San Francisco-record 201 yards, matching what Philadelphia’s Duce Staley did against the Cowboys in Week 1.

Garner broke the 49er record of 198 yards set by Garrison Hearst against Detroit on Dec. 24, 1998.

The 49ers scored on their first three possessions of the second half, putting the game out of reach with a 17-play, 98-yard drive that took more than 9 1/2 minutes.

Rice’s five-yard touchdown catch in the opening minute of the fourth quarter made the score, 34-10.

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On the Run

Charlie Garner set a 49er record for most rushing yards in a game. A look:

201--Garner, Sept. 24, 2000 at Dallas

198--Garrison Hearst, Dec. 24, 1998 vs. Detroit

194--Delvin Williams, Dec. 31, 1978, at St. Louis

190--Roger Craig, Oct. 16, 1988, at L.A. Rams; Wilbur Jackson, Nov. 27, 1977, vs. New Orleans