49ers Overcome Power Outage and Steelers in Big Win
Jojo Doria

San Francisco, CA

The power went out two times at Candlestick Park Monday night but it didn't affect the San Francisco 49ers one bit.

Alex Smith threw a touchdown pass, Frank Gore ran for another and the 49ers defense was stout in a 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The start of the game was delayed 20 minutes by a power outage and a second outage delayed the game for 16 minutes in the second quarter.

Both offenses had trouble getting much generated in the first half as a pair of field goals by David Akers gave the 49ers a 6-0 lead at the break.

Pittsburgh (10-4) pulled within 6-3 on a 51-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham in the third quarter but San Francisco responded.

On its ensuing drive the 49ers found a rhythm and Smith capped the march with a one-yard pass to tight end Vernon Davis to extend the lead to 13-3.

Gore scored on a five-yard run with just over nine minutes to play to make it 20-3.

San Francisco (11-3) got a strong effort from its defense, forcing four turnovers and sacking Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger three times.

Playing with a high ankle sprain, Roethlisberger completed 25-of-44 passes for 330 yards but was intercepted three times.Smith was 18 of 31 for 187 yards and a TD.

The loss was a costly one for the Steelers, who had their four-game win streak snapped and fell a game behind New England for the top overall seed in the AFC. Pittsburgh is tied for the AFC North lead with Baltimore but the Ravens hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series.