Final
49ers down Browns for 5th straight win
Oct 31, 2011 - 1:51 AM San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Frank Gore ran for 134 yards and a touchdown to lead the San Francisco 49ers past the Cleveland Browns, 20-10.Alex Smith completed 15-of-24 passes for 177 yards and a score for the 49ers (6-1), who have won five straight games for the first time since 2001.
"It's fun to be on a roll," said Smith. "It's why you play, it's why you put in all the time and sacrifice."
Michael Crabtree caught five passes for 54 yards and a touchdown and Braylon Edwards returned from a Week 2 knee injury to tally 42 yards on four catches in the win.
Colt McCoy threw for 241 yards -- including a 45-yard touchdown to Josh Cribbs -- and an interception for the Browns (3-4), who were without running back Peyton Hillis for the second straight game.
"Offensively, we got to do a better job of moving the football, regardless of who's playing," said Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur.
The 49ers thoroughly dominated the first half, controlling the ball for 18:58 and holding the Browns to just 93 total yards.
Gore personally outgained Cleveland over that span, rushing for 103 yards and converting a McCoy fumble into a four-yard touchdown run.
"Frank just has a will to keep going," said 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh. "He is a great competitor, a consummate team player and the guys up front feed off of him."
David Akers added a 29-yard field goal and Crabtree caught a two-yard touchdown pass before the Browns finally broke through on Phil Dawson's 52- yard field goal at the end of the half.
Cleveland moved to the San Francisco 34-yard line midway through the third quarter, but McCoy threw into double coverage and was intercepted in the end zone by Dashon Goldson.
It was the only drive of the quarter for either team that didn't result in a punt.
The Browns finally found the end zone in the fourth, as McCoy converted a 4th- and-1 with a sneak, then found Cribbs for a 45-yard touchdown with 6:17 remaining.
The 49ers, though, emerged from their second-half slumber, reeling off an 11- play, 67-yard drive. Akers' 26-yard field goal capped the march with 1:56 remaining, effectively sealing the final margin.
Game Notes
The 49ers have won five straight games for the first time since November 4 - December 2, 2001...Gore (7,089) moved into second place on the 49ers' all-time rushing list, passing Roger Craig (7,064). Joe Perry is the club's all-time rushing leader (7,344)...The Browns had won three straight over the 49ers...Edwards spent his first four-plus NFL seasons with the Browns...Hillis is suffering from a hamstring injury.
- CLEVELAND: 10
SAN FRANCISCO: 20
Final
Oct 30 7:21 PM - Cleveland Touchdown - Colt McCoy pass to Joshua Cribbs for 45 yards.
Browns 9, 49ers 17 4th - 6:17Oct 30 6:55 PM - CLEVELAND: 3
SAN FRANCISCO: 17
End of 3rd
Oct 30 6:33 PM - CLEVELAND: 3
SAN FRANCISCO: 17
Halftime
Oct 30 5:41 PM - San Francisco Touchdown - Alex Smith pass to Michael Crabtree for 2 yards.
Browns 0, 49ers 16 2nd - 1:31Oct 30 5:31 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
SAN FRANCISCO: 10
End of 1st
Oct 30 4:54 PM - CLEVELAND: 0
SAN FRANCISCO: 0
1st Quarter - 15:00
Oct 30 4:16 PM
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