49ers Continue Strong Start

By Nick Ostiller

Jim Harbaugh and Jim Schwartz have helped turn San Francisco and Detroit into contenders, earning plenty of attention for the energy and attitude they bring to the sidelines.

That intensity was on full display Sunday during a postgame dustup after the 49ers handed the Lions their first loss of the season. Harbaugh, the San Francisco coach, ran across the field and gave his Detroit counterpart an enthusiastic handshake and a hard slap on the back. Schwartz objected to to the gestures and chased Harbaugh back toward the tunnel, but the two were kept separated as players gathered and appeared to restore order. Students at Santa Clara, home to many 49ers fans, have been discussing the incident all week.

"It seemed really unnecessary that (Schwartz) got so upset," said sophomore Megan Tenes. "Just because (Harbaugh) was excited doesn't mean that (Schwartz) has a right to start a fight about it. It just seemed stupid."

Sophomore Jason Oledan added that Schwartz "had been notorious for being obnoxious with his huge fist pumps and playing emotional."

 "So it wasn't a huge surprise that Schwartz took it personally," said Oledan, who defended Harbaugh.

"I do not blame (Harbaugh) at all," continued Oledan. "He was just fired up (because) last week's game was a statement game."

Schwartz explained his actions afterwards and felt that although the 49ers beat his Lions, the occasion did not call for such exuberance from Harbaugh.

"I went to congratulate Coach Harbaugh and got shoved out of the way," Schwartz said after his team's 25-19 loss. "I didn't expect an obscenity at that point. Obviously, when you win a game like that, you are excited, but there is a protocol."

Harbaugh took the blame, but wasn't about to tone down his excitement after the big win. "That's totally on me," Harbaugh said. "I shook his hand too hard." NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the incident will be reviewed.

The 49ers have been a surprising success story so far this year under Harbaugh, who is in his first year as an NFL head coach after having led the Stanford Cardinal to the Orange Bowl last season. The local pride can be felt at Santa Clara.

"I was thinking it was going to be a hard transition for (Harbaugh) from college to the NFL, as it has historically been for college coaches who have gone to the NFL," said sophomore Andrew Metzger. "But he has made a nice smooth transition."

The 49ers' 5-1 start has not only led to heightened excitement around campus, but also anticipation about the team's possible relocation to the city of Santa Clara.

"I'm excited for when they actually come to Santa Clara," said a hopeful Metzger. "We're going to get season tickets so it's going to be nice to watch a winning team."

As for the game on Sunday, the 49ers showed that they are indeed a winning team capable of making the necessary plays down the stretch of close games.

Quarterback Alex Smith threw a go-ahead 6-yard scoring pass to Delanie Walker on fourth down for San Francisco with 1:51 left in the game, and the 49ers added a field goal less than a minute later for the final margin.

Detroit (5-1) lost for the first time in 10 regular-season games dating to last year. The Lions also won all four of their preseason games. Walker's touchdown stood after video review didn't show definitively whether the San Francisco tight end's right knee was down before the ball reached the goal line. "I knew I got in there," Walker said. "I crossed the plane, but we were in their house and we got some bad calls early on in the game. But I didn't think twice about it."

After Walker's touchdown made it 22-19, Detroit had a chance to drive for a tying field goal or a go-ahead touchdown, but couldn't get a first down against a swarming defense that hit and confused quarterback Matthew Stafford from the start. David Akers gave San Francisco (5-1) a six-point lead with 1:02 to go with a 37-yard field goal, and the Lions did no better with their next attempt at a winning drive.

Smith was 17 of 32 for 125 yards, going early and often to Michael Crabtree, who had nine receptions for 77 yards. Frank Gore ran 15 times for 141 yards and scored a touchdown that pulled the 49ers within three after they were outscored 10-0 in the first quarter.

The 49ers, who overcame 15 penalties in the game, are not only atop the NFC West, but they're opening up some ground. Second-place Seattle (2-3) had an open date. "I've never been a part of anything like this, especially since I've been a pro," Smith said. "The defense played unbelievable today. They deserve all the credit."

Contact Nick Ostiller at nostiller@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918. Noah Trister of the Associated Press contributed to this report.