49ers get home win for Young

The defensive veteran, who will be retiring, led the 21-19 win over Buccaneers.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bryant Young left Candlestick Park a winner, riding his fellow San Francisco 49ers’ shoulders after his defense made one last stop against the Buccaneers.

By resting most of its playmakers, Tampa Bay also got everything it wanted out of a game that only held real meaning for Young, the 49ers’ stalwart defensive tackle.

Shaun Hill passed for 123 yards and three touchdowns to remain unbeaten as an NFL starter, and Michael Clayton landed out of bounds with his catch on a two-point conversion attempt with 1:20 left in San Francisco’s 21-19 victory over Tampa Bay’s reserves Sunday.

The Buccaneers (9-6) already are headed to the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 4 seed, so Tampa Bay treated the day as a glorified exhibition, removing nearly every key player in the second half.

The 49ers (5-10) are guaranteed their fifth straight losing season, so their greatest motivation was to make a fond memory for Young, the 14-year veteran who’s all but certain to retire next month.

“I was just trying to enjoy the moment and focus on the game, and just trying to focus on my job,” said Young, who played a noticeably effective game in his usual thankless role in the trenches. “I was trying not to get too emotional and break down, because I had a job to do out there.”

The 49ers honored Young, a four-time Pro Bowler and the final roster link to the 49ers’ last championship, with a pregame tribute on the video board.

He took the field to fireworks and a standing ovation, and left blowing kisses to San Francisco’s fans.

Nate Clements’ 62-yard interception return set up Frank Gore’s TD catch with 14:11 left for the 49ers, who beat a team with a winning record for the first time this year.

Darrell Jackson and Vernon Davis also caught touchdown passes for San Francisco, which won consecutive games for the first time since the season’s first two weeks.

Jeff Garcia passed for 196 yards and a touchdown against his former team before coach Jon Gruden removed him late in the first half.

Yet with running back Earnest Graham, receiver Joey Galloway and every key defensive player sitting down, Luke McCown nearly rallied the backups for a win.