49ers Put Lost Year in the Past

Mike Nolan left the locker room with no grin, no spring in his step, absolutely no indication that his San Francisco 49ers had just shocked their oldest rivals in his head coaching debut.

The jubilant players in the room behind him -- and John York, the excited owner shaking his hand -- still knew something remarkable had just happened for the NFL’s worst team in 2004.

Brandon Lloyd and Arnaz Battle caught second-quarter touchdown passes from Tim Rattay, and Michael Adams intercepted Marc Bulger’s pass in San Francisco territory with 52 seconds left as the 49ers hung on for a 28-25 victory Sunday over the St. Louis Rams.

After the 49ers barely preserved the win in the final minutes, the relief on the players’ faces was as palpable as the excitement in the sellout crowd throughout an entertaining second half.

“Just getting rid of that stench from last year, taking advantage of this fresh start, that’s what this game is,” linebacker Jeff Ulbrich said. “To win in a game that’s truly meaningful, that’s great.”

Rookie Otis Amey returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball for the 49ers, who erupted for 21 points in the second quarter -- more than last season’s 2-14 team scored in any quarter of its wretched season.

The 49ers’ defense was on the field for nearly 40 minutes, but San Francisco held on for its first regular-season victory in regulation since Dec. 7, 2003. Both of the Niners’ wins last season came in overtime against Arizona.

Rattay, who beat out top draft pick Alex Smith to retain his starting job, completed 11 of 16 passes for 165 yards, but his offense was shut out in the final 25 minutes. The 49ers hung on with just enough defense, Nolan’s specialty as an assistant coach.

“I don’t know what word describes it, but it’s certainly a big win for our team,” Nolan said.

It also was an emotional victory for a team coming off a summer in which offensive lineman Thomas Herrion collapsed and died of heart disease after a game Aug. 20.