Starless Night -- Backup Chargers earn victory over 49ers

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Friday, August 31, 2007 12:26 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- There was a lack of stars on a hot humid Thursday night at Qualcomm Stadium. Not above the field but on it.

The Chargers prevailed in the battle of reserves with the San Francisco 49ers, posting a 16-13 victory before 56,172 fans in the final tuneup prior to the highly anticipated regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 9.

The Chargers took advantage of six San Francisco turnovers in finishing off a 3-1 preseason. The defensive handiwork allowed the Chargers to win on a night in which they totaled just 216 offensive yards.

The Chargers intercepted four passes and recovered two fumbles.

"We've done a good job of knocking the ball loose since the first game," coach Norv Turner said. "We've got some guys who fly around and hit you and if you keep hitting guys, you've got a chance of getting the ball out. I was pleased we were able to get the ball bouncing around in the passing game and our guys went and got the ball pretty good."

The game was star-challenged after Turner decided earlier Thursday not to play quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates. As usual, running back LaDainian Tomlinson didn't play in the preseason contest. Injured running back Michael Turner also sat to rest his injured ankle.

San Francisco's elite running back, Frank Gore, also didn't play. He missed the entire preseason with a broken right hand but lobbied to play earlier this week. However, 49ers coach Mike Nolan turned down the overture.

The 49ers' quarterback, former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, left the game after the second play of the second quarter.

Rivers dressed for the contest and helped signal in plays to quarterbacks Billy Volek and Charlie Whitehurst.

"It was a lot of fun," Rivers said. "It keeps you really involved in getting to call them in. Charlie calls in the plays normally in the games. So getting to call them in, I still can get some work like I'm in the huddle."

The cameo appearance of Smith, a Helix High graduate, wasn't impressive. Smith was intercepted and lost a fumble, setting up two Chargers' field goals.

Clinton Hart further solidified his hold on the starting strong safety by picking off Smith in the opening quarter. Hart returned his second interception of the preseason 13 yards to the 49ers 32. Six plays later, Nate Kaeding kicked a 29-yard field goal for the first points of the contest.

Smith's second miscue came when he was under heavy pressure from linebacker Tim Dobbins and fumbled the football. Defensive end Jacques Cesaire recovered at the San Francisco 26 to set up Kaeding's 22-yard field goal with 12:37 left in the half.

San Francisco committed two more turnovers later in the second quarter with quarterback Shaun Hill being victimized by deflected passes both times. Cornerback Paul Oliver was the recipient of the good fortune the first time; safety Eric Weddle caught the ricochet on the other.

Weddle also intercepted a pass on San Francisco's final play. Weddle has three interceptions this preseason and also kept together a unique streak dating back through his college career at Utah. Weddle has played four games at Qualcomm Stadium and has intercepted at least one pass in every contest.

That leaves people wondering how long Weddle's streak can last.

"I hope every game I get in there," Weddle said. "I was just running at the ball and being in the right place."

The Chargers' only touchdown came after Oliver's interception. Rookie receiver Craig Davis beat San Francisco's Dashon Goldson down the left sideline to haul in a 40-yard scoring pass from third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst to make it 13-3 with 1:53 left in the half.

"It was my first one, but it was in the preseason," said Davis, the team's first-round draft pick. "So in my eyes, it doesn't cut it."

Seeing a 3 on the down marker was a troubling sight Thursday ---- the Chargers converted just 4-of-17 third-down opportunities. They were just 1-of-9 in the first half.

In the fourth quarter, Kaeding kicked his third field goal of the contest ---- another 29-yarder. He was 11-of-11 in the preseason.

Volek played the first third of the game and completed 5-of-10 passes for 38 yards. Whitehurst was 7-of-14 passing for 76 yards and the touchdown to Davis.

Chargers notes

Starting ILB Matt Wilhelm saw his first action of the preseason. He missed the first three exhibitions with a calf injury. "Wilhelm was good and he felt good about what he did," coach Norv Turner said. "He just needed to get out and play and be with the guys. It was good for him." ... C Cory Withrow suffered a right foot sprain in the third quarter and didn't return. Also injured during the contest were RB Germaine Race (toe) and LB Nick Roach (neck). WR Legedu Naanee and LB Jyles Tucker suffered cramps during the game. ... DT Brandon McKinney (ankle) missed the contest. ... The Solana Beach Little League team that nearly advanced to the Little League World Series was recognized on the field at the end of the first quarter.

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.

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