49ers End Seifert’s Streak

Nearly five years after George Seifert left town, the San Francisco 49ers finally got the best of him.

Terrell Owens caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia and the 49ers beat their former coach for the first time in five tries with a 24-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night.

Seifert, who led the 49ers to two Super Bowl victories during eight seasons at the helm of his hometown team, hadn’t lost to San Francisco since taking over at Carolina.

When Seifert resigned after the 1996 season, the 49ers’ franchise quarterback and star receiver were Steve Young and Jerry Rice. In his third return to Candlestick Point, Seifert saw a new dynamic duo.

Owens had eight catches for 118 yards, while Garcia completed 17 of 31 passes for 212 yards and rushed for a score. Garrison Hearst, whose improbable comeback keeps gaining steam, rushed for 73 yards for San Francisco (3-1), which won only 10 games in the past two years.

Rookie Chris Weinke had an inconsistent game for Carolina (1-3), completing 29 of 47 for 275 yards and a touchdown. He had three passes intercepted, including one by 49er cornerback Ahmed Plummer at the San Francisco 13 with two minutes to play.

Wesley Walls had 10 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown for Carolina.

Carolina went ahead 14-10 on Doug Evans’ 39-yard interception return early in the second half. Garcia apparently miscommunicated with Owens, who turned upfield as Garcia lobbed a soft pass into an area that was unoccupied--except for Evans, who sidestepped Garcia on his way to the end zone.

That was one of few problems between Owens and Garcia. San Francisco came right back with a scoring drive. Garcia found Owens over the middle, and he high-stepped his way to a 29-yard touchdown.

Later in the third, Garcia hit Owens with a perfectly thrown 20-yard fade for another score.