Saints edge 49ers with FG

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO

Garrett Hartley kicked a 37-yard field goal that barely fluttered through as time expired after Drew Brees set it up with a 30-yard completion to Marques Colston and the New Orleans Saints spoiled the San Francisco 49ers’ home opener with a 25-22 victory Monday night.

Frank Gore of the 49ers ran for a 7-yard touchdown with 1:19 to play and Vernon Davis made a close-call catch at the goal line for the tying two-point conversion. The play was initially called no good, but the 49ers (0-2) challenged the ruling and won.

The Saints (2-0), who relied on their defense most of the game, got the ball back at the 30 with 1:14 left.

Brees hit Colston with a pass that put the Saints on the 18 with 18 seconds left.

Saints running back Reggie Bush was helped off the field in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury.

Bush hurt himself after recovering his muffed punt with 6:58 remaining. He was tended to by trainers and then tried to walk off the field favoring his right leg. He fell back to the turf and was worked on again before being helped off the field.

There was no immediate word on the injury. Bush was taken on a cart to the locker room shortly after the injury, getting hugs from his teammates.

Bush was playing for the first time since giving back his 2005 Heisman Trophy won while at USC.

He caught a 6-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.

There was a festive beginning to the game with receiver Jerry Rice running out in his Hall of Fame jacket for the opening coin toss before his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime.

His former quarterback, Joe Montana, and owner, Eddie DeBartolo, were on hand for the event.