Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday, September 21, 2008

*49ers drop Lions to 0-3*

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- J.T. O'Sullivan and Mike Martz exacted some revenge on their old team.

O'Sullivan threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns as the San Francisco 49ers won their second straight game behind O'Sullivan with a 31-13 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

San Francisco running back Frank Gore rushed for 130 yards on 27 attempts and a score to keep the Lions (0-3) winless.

"It feels great," said Gore of the victory. "Especially with the way we moved the ball. It made easier with the way we mixed up the pass and run."

O'Sullivan finished 16-of-23 with the two scoring passes and zero interceptions in just his third career start.

"It's not complicated," said Niners head coach Mike Nolan of O'Sullivan's play. "He's a good player and he continues to get better."

O'Sullivan, who beat out former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith in the offseason, had his breakout game last week in San Francisco's overtime victory against the Seattle Seahawks.

The journeyman quarterback, who spent parts of seven seasons with eight different organizations, including the backup role with Detroit last season, was stellar against his old teammates, connecting with Isaac Bruce and Delanie Walker for touchdown passes in the first half.

"It was about winning this week," O'Sullivan said. "That's the reality for us. I'm excited about the way we played today, but I still think we can get better."

Before being hired as the 49ers' offensive coordinator this season, Martz spent the last two seasons calling plays for the Lions. Martz was let go by the Lions after they posted a 3-13 record in 2006 and a 7-9 mark last season.

O'Sullivan already is drawing comparisons to former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, who rose from obscurity to win a Super Bowl and two league MVP awards under Martz's tutelage in St. Louis.

"We're all about doing our jobs right now," O'Sullivan said. "The offensive line did a great job today as well as the running game."

Lions quarterback John Kitna completed 15-of-30 attempts for 146 yards, including a touchdown and an interception.

"We have to be able to make plays," Lions head coach Rod Marinelli said. "The players, coaches, everyone. We didn't do that today."

Detroit's loss may have been compounded by a knee injury to Kitna in the final two minutes. Team officials said they did not know the severity of the injury.

Rudi Johnson replaced rookie running back Kevin Smith in the first quarter and rushed for 83 yards on 14 carries. He also had three receptions for 48 yards, including a 34-yard scoring pass.