SAN FRANCISCO 49ers Defense rides to rescue

Linebacker Julian Peterson is coming off arguably his best game as a 49er.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Four times this season, the San Francisco 49ers' offense has been able to run out the clock late in the fourth quarter to preserve wins or force overtime.
In Sunday's 17-13 victory over Kansas City, it was the Niners' defense that rode to the rescue.
Coach Steve Mariucci said the 49ers (7-2), who are owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield, were hoping not to give the football back to quarterback Trent Green when they took possession with 7:18 to go.
But with about three minutes to play, the Chiefs' defense stopped the Niners on a third-and-7 run by Garrison Hearst, prompting a punt and many of the 68,000 fans in San Francisco to voice their dissatisfaction for the run call.
"That's certainly a sign that the fans have higher expectations," said Mariucci Tuesday in a telephone interview from the team's headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. "It was a passionate cry for us to chew up more time.
"When you convert on third down, you look good. And when you don't ..."
His rationale
Mariucci approved offensive coordinator Greg Knapp's run call because he knew the Chiefs would have to take a time-out if the clock was running.
The boos grew in intensity when Green completed his next three passes in front of third cornerback and rookie Mike Rumph to move into Niners territory.
"[Green] completed three throwing near the sidelines," said Mariucci, who credited defensive coordinator Jim Mora Jr. for a coverage change that hadn't been used much since the preseason.
Shining in the coverage change was third-year linebacker Julian Peterson, who led the 49ers defense on the next four plays that saw the Chiefs' drive fizzle.
"He came up big at the end," said Mariucci of the first-round draft pick from Michigan State. "Tony Gonzalez is probably the best tight end in the league and Julian was given the assignment to cover him most of the game.
"And it's a task to not simply cover this game, but also to recognize the run," Mariucci said. "That was probably his best game as a 49er. He showed great hustle and he's not afraid to take on lead blockers."
Good week for linebackers
It's been a pretty good week for 49ers linebackers. Monday, the team extended the contract of third-year pro Jeff Ulbrich for four seasons for $5.1 million.
Ulbrich, a third-round draft choice who played college football at Hawaii and was raised in San Jose, is a second-year starter.
"He's one of our good young players," Mariucci said. "He's a local kid that we want to keep around for a long time.
"It's a good move by our front office that's trying to keep our young team together before they reach free-agent status," Mariucci said.
Chargers are next
This weekend, the NFC West-leading 49ers wrap up their AFC West schedule with a trip to San Diego to play the Chargers.
"They've always played good defense," said Mariucci of the Chargers (6-3), who are tied with the Denver Broncos for the division lead and best record in the AFC. "Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison are perennial Pro Bowlers, so it's no surprise how well they are shutting other teams down."
Mariucci credited the Chargers for a big overtime win two weeks ago against the Raiders in Oakland.
"[Coach] Marty [Schottenheimer] is getting some great performances from his young offensive stars -- [quarterback] Drew Brees and [running back] LaDainian Tomlinson," Mariucci said. "Tomlinson ran the ball 39 times to beat the Raiders -- he's really juiced up their offense."
Heading into the NFL's final seven weeks, the Niners are 3-0 against division rivals, 2-1 against the AFC West and 2-1 against the rest of the NFC.
williams@vindy.com