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49ers hold on to top Bills

Nov 30, 2008 - 10:23 PM ORCHARD PARK, New York (Ticker) -- Shaun Hill found Isaac Bruce for a 12-yard touchdown in the first quarter and the San Francisco 49ers held on for a 10-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Hill finished with 161 passing yards and Frank Gore rushed for 66 yards for the 49ers (4-8), who had lost seven of their previous eight contests.

"It gives us confidence. These guys are working hard trying to do all the things we're asking them to do," San Francisco coach Mike Singletary said. "When you stay together, work together, fight together, win together, it's something that is very rewarding."

"Before you become a playoff team, it's big to come into an environment like this to win a football game," Niners linebacker Takeo Spikes added. "This really shows our true character."

Ryan Lindell hit the left upright on a pair of field goal misses for the Bills (6-6), who have lost five of their last six games. Lindell, who missed from 20 and 40 yards, had made 53 straight field goals of 40 yards or less entering this contest.

"The first one I tried to aim it a little bit too much, tried to get it off quick, get it up in there and that's what happens when you aim," Lindell said. "The second one I just didn't hit the ball well. It had the distance but who cares if you don't hit it straight."

San Francisco marched right down the field on the opening possession of the game. Hill capped the 14-play, 72-yard drive by finding Bruce near the pylon for an easy touchdown with 6:51 left in the first quarter.

From there, it was all about defense and special teams.

"Defensively, we would have liked to do a better job stopping the run, but they did a good job," Singletary said. "They executed well. Thankfully, we made the plays we needed to."

Joe Nedney drilled a 50-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the first half as the 49ers took a 10-0 lead into the break.

The Bills were without starting quarterback Trent Edwards, who left the game with a groin injury. J.P. Losman did not fare much better.

"Trent hurt his groin early in the game, just couldn't push off on the right side, couldn't get any velocity on the ball, couldn't throw it," Bills coach Dick Jauron said. "So that was the reason for the change. Maybe should of done it earlier in the game but stayed with it until halftime."

Marshawn Lynch gained 134 yards on 15 carries and set up Buffalo's lone score, a 22-yard field goal by Lindell.

"I'm sorry we lost the game," Jauron said. "If we convert in the red zone, that may or may not be concentration. All I know is we have to make more plays. I can't tell you for sure what it's a lack of other than play-making."

San Francisco, which managed just 195 yards from scrimmage, sealed the win by stopping the Bills on a 4th-and-15 with less than 90 seconds to play.