49ers' running game takes down Rams

Sep 21, 2017 - 7:48 PM SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Carlos Hyde led the San Francisco 49ers' ground attack Monday night with 88 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, but he wasn't the only rushing threat in a 28-0 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert gained 43 yards on nine carries. He ran for two key first downs on the 49ers' first touchdown drive that Hyde capped with an 11-yard run in the first quarter.

On San Francisco's second TD drive, Gabbert ran 9 yards for another important first down in the second quarter. Gabbert took a few hard hits at the end of his runs.

"We came into the game saying, 'Take what the defense gives you,'" Gabbert said. "There were times when I could have and should have slid. I was just playing the game."

--Rams Pro Bowl defensive tackle Aaron Donald's frustrating night ended early. Donald drew an unnecessary roughness penalty when he pulled 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton's helmet off, then quickly was ejected after making contact with an official with 6:42 to play in the game.

"I just let emotion get the best of me," said Donald, who slammed his helmet to the ground after being ejected. "I can't make mistakes like that and hurt my team."

--Rams quarterback Case Keenum had a rough night, completing just 17 of 35 passes for 130 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, all while rookie QB Jared Goff, the top pick in the 2016 draft, watched from the sideline as an inactive player. However, coach Jeff Fisher said Keenum would start again Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks in the Rams' home opener.

"This doesn't change anything as far as the quarterbacks are concerned," Fisher said.

--Niners wide receiver Jeremy Kerley turned out to be a quick study learning coach Chip Kelly's high-tempo offense. Just two weeks after coming to the 49ers in a trade with the Detroit Lions, Kerley caught a team-high seven passes for a team-high 61 yards against the Rams. Kerley also returned two punts for 11 yards.

"I think that I have done a pretty good job with the intake of the playbook," Kerley said. "The game is going so fast, you are not really recalling what just happened."

In the second quarter, the 49ers faced fourth-and-6 at the Rams 39-yard line, and Kerley caught an 18-yard pass from Gabbert, setting up a touchdown.

"I just remember that I was supposed to get over the top of the defender and he was kind of playing high," Kerley said. "They sent a blitz or something. So my time clock kind of went off, and I just turned around and caught the ball."