Blogs

49ers vs. Broncos Live Blog

The 49ers are getting prepared for their first preseason game of the year against the Denver Broncos.  The game is presented by Sports Gallery.  Stay tuned to the blog for drive and score updates.

There is not an inactives list for the preseason game, but the players who did not dress for tonight’s game are Patrick Willis, Ray McDonald, David Baas, Joe Nedney, Michael Robinson, Delanie Walker and Isaac Bruce.

I was just handed the game release by our PR staff.  The 49ers captains for tonight’s game are LS Brian Jennings, LB Takeo Spikes and T Joe Staley.

We’ve received a lot of questions about how to watch the game.  Locally, it airs on CBS 5 and it’s also on NFL Network nationally.  You can listed to the game online at http://www.knbr.com/pages/main

Kickoff

The 49ers began their first drive from the 22 yard line.  On 2^nd down, Shaun hill completed a pass to TE Vernon Davis for a gain of 22 yards.  Two plays later, Hill was brought down by Elvis Dumervil.  Despite a third and long situation, Hill was able to move the chains, finding Davis again for a gain of 18 yards.  On the next play, Hill was flushed from the pocket and scrambled up the middle, picking up 9 yards.  The 49ers then picked up their third first down on the drive behind a short carry for Glen Coffee.  Mario Haggan brought Hill down on the next play for the Broncos second sack of the drive.  Coffee quickly picked up much of the lost yardage with a 15-yard carry.  Coffee was stopped short on third down, bringing out the field goal unit.  With Joe Nedney not dressed for the game, Alex Romero came on to connect on the 38-yard field goal.  It was an 11 play drive that went 58 yards.

49ers 3 – Denver 0

Our PR staff just announced that FB Zak Keasey has a right elbow injury and his return is questionable.

Correll Buckhalter picked up a first down for the Broncos on two carries.  On 3^rd and 11, Orton dropped back and found Eddie Royal for a 7 yard gain, getting down to the 4-yard line.  On 2^nd down, Nate Clements came up huge with an interception, coming back and stepping in front of Daniel Graham.  Clements took a knee in the end zone for the touchback.

Alex Smith takes the field for the 49ers second drive of the game.  The first team offensive line is still in the game.  The only other replacement is Brit Miller who takes over for Keasey.

On 2^nd down, Ryan McBean pressured Smith, bringing him down for the sack.  That brings up 3^rd and 14.  Smith completed the next pass to Josh Morgan, but he was just shy of the sticks.  Lee’s punt was returned to the Broncos 37-yard line.

Update on Keasey: he will not return to the game.

The Broncos start their second drive with a 13 yard gain.  The Broncos picked up their second first down on the drive thanks to the efforts of their 2009 first-round draft pick, Knowshon Moreno.  The 49ers defense came up big again as Dre’ Bly picked off the pass intended for Stokely.  This is why he was 49ers.com’s practice MVP last week!!

After a 7 yard pass from Smith to Battle and a short run by Glen Coffee, the 49ers picked up a first down just past the 40-yard line.  Smith couldn’t connect on third down.  Lee came on to punt, hitting it out of bounds at the 10-yard line.

Third pick by the 49ers secondary, this one by Reggie Smith.  Alex Smith took over hitting FB Brit Miller in the end zone.  The extra point was missed by Romero.

49ers 9 – Broncos 0

The secondary continues to make big plays – this time in the run game.  Dre’ Bly rushed the edge, bringing down Lamont Jordan.  On 3^rd and 10, Orton completed the pass for a short gain to Chad Jackson.  The officials called pass interference on the Broncos, but the 49ers declined, bringing up 4^th and 7.  The 49ers will take over at their own 11-yard line.  Alex Smith is still in with the starting offense.

The 49ers look content to run out the clock and get to the half.  Glen Coffee continues to run very hard, breaking a long run on third down to keep the drive going.  The third-round draft pick out of Alabama gets out to midfield as time expires.

It was an impressive first half for the 49ers highlighted by three picks by the secondary, a touchdown pass from Smith to Miller and several big gains by Vernon Davis.

Halftime score: 49ers 9 – Broncos 0

The quarterback competition looks pretty close in the first half, especially if you’re looking at QB rating.  Smith’s rating was 120.8 while Hill wasn’t far behind at 118.8.

Looks like the night is over for Smith as he’s come back out in the second half without his shoulder pads.  Damon Huard and Nate Davis are getting loose on the sideline.

On 3rd and short, the Broncos covert, taking the ball to midfield behind the legs of Peyton Hillis.  Chirs Simms completed a pass to Nate Swift as the Broncos marched down to the 4-yard line.  Movement on the Broncos’ line back them up 5 yards.  Two plays later Simms hits Jeb Putzier who beat the coverage of Mark Washington for the score.

49ers 9 – Broncos 7

Shaun Hill talked about his performance on the first drive of the game which resulted in a field goal. 

“We were able to move the ball and we had a big conversion on third down,” Hill said.  “That last sack kind of hurt us.  That was completely on me.  The offensive line did a great job out there.  So I’d like to have that play back and I feel like we could have gotten 7 out of that.”

The 49ers will begin their next drive at the 20-yard line with QB Damon Huard at the helm.  On 3rd and long, Huard it Micheal Spurlock for the first down.  Spurlock picked up another first down, making a nice move after a short pass to pick up 10 yards.  Chris Baker brout down Huard, bringing up 2nd and long for the 49ers.  Huard’s third down pass fell incomplete as Joe Jon Finley couldn’t reel it in.

On 3rd and 6, Simms pass was complete to former 49ers WR Brandon Lloyd for the first down.  Great play by the 49ers secondary again as Simms tested Terrail Lambert deep.  Lambert deflected the pass down the right sideline.  That’s the end of the third quarter.

Cornerback Nate Clements spoke about the strong play of the secondary.

“I think that guys were just relaxed out there, taking chances, trusting and believing in what they saw.  We weren’t really worried about what they were going to do.  We were more focused on what we could do.”

Another catch for Lloyd as the Broncos drive to the 49ers 12-yard line.  The 49ers Faithful helped the tea out on 3rd and 6, getting loud as the 49ers flushed Simms from the pocket, forcing him to throw it away.  The Broncos converted the short field goal and took the lead.

Broncos 10 – 49ers 9

The 49ers will begin their drive from the 18-yard line.  Huard is in at quarterback.  Huard nearly hit Spurlock deep, but the pass was batted away by Alphonso Smith.  Big third down conversion as Huard hit Finley just past the sticks.  Huard moved the chains again, hittling Thomas Clayton for a nice gain.  After a short carry, Clayton is down on the field.  As soon as I hear anything about the injury, I’ll pass that along. 

Clayton is being carted off the field now.  His teammates are around him.  Whatever the injury is, it doesn’t look good.

With Clayton out, Kory Sheets is in at running back.  The 49ers continue to play well on third down as Huard found Jason Hill for the conversion.  Wow!  Two touchdowns for FB Brit Miller.  The Denver Broncos sent the house on the blitz.  The line picked it up and Huard found Miller with absolutely nobody around him.  Huard raced in down the right sideline for the 40 yard TD.  The 49ers will go for two.

Wow again!  On the conversion it appeared that Huard’s first read was to Zeigler, but when he was covered, Huard lofted the ball to the back of the end zone.  Bear Pascoe used his height to pull the ball away from one of the Broncos defensive backs and the 49ers go up by a touchdown!

49ers 17 – Broncos 10

Update on Clayton: He has a right knee sprain and is out.

I’ll have to run down to the field as there’s just five minutes left in the game.  Follow us on Twitter for additional updates.