The 49ers, of course, receive the second half kickoff, and will start at the 16 yard line. Frank Gore takes the first carry of the half, and is stopped for no gain. Then it's Michael Crabtree catching a pass and picking up some impressive yards after the catch, making a couple players miss on his way to a 29 yard gain. After Gore picks up a yard or two, Crabtree gets a big screen pass and gets some more YAC, getting a first down. It's Gore on first down with a four yard dumpoff reception. Eventually, the team ends up with a 3rd and 1, and the referees call it inches, and the 49ers elect to go for it. Gore picks it up, but barely. After a couple runs, the 49ers face yet another third down, this one needing six yards. The 49ers pick it up and move inside the ten. On a second and eight, Smith hits Williams for the eight yards and nothing more, but it's good enough, and a David Akers extra point puts the 49ers up 16-0.
The kickoff goes to Stephens-Howling, who brings it out to the 20 yard line. I missed whether or not Arizona ran any plays up until it, but Skelton threw a terrible pass deep and Donte Whitner caught it no problem, getting the interception.
San Francisco takes over, and it's an instant 11 yard gain for Kyle Williams. A couple plays later, and the 49ers have the ball at 3rd and 2 on the 18-yard line, in Arizona territory. Smith lobs one up to Vernon Davis, a beautiful pass, and it's an 18 yard touchdown. After a David Akers extra point, the 49ers lead 23-0.
Arizona came back on the field, and started to drive. Big receptions to Andre Roberts led to multiple first downs, and John Skelton had a little bit of swagger ... which safety Dashon Goldson took right from him with an interception. Yeah - that happened. Goldson dove and caught it pretty nice, and the 49ers took over.
Well, I happened to blink and miss the 49ers drive, but Andy Lee came out with an impressive punt. Aaaand, the Cardinals fumble the ball, which is recovered by NaVorro Bowman. So the 49ers are set up with significantly better field position. Anthony Dixon picks up four yards on the rushing attempt. Smith goes deep to Crabtree on the next play, it's a great throw, and Patrick Peterson has to interfere with Crabtree to prevent a touchdown. 49ers get a first and seven to go for a score. Smith is hit big time on first down, and throws the ball away. It goes backwards, the referee calls it incomplete, and Ken Whisenhunt challenges for Arizona. It's confirmed - it's incomplete, and Anthony Dixon takes a handoff for a yard. At 3rd and 6, the third quarter comes to an end with the 49ers at the six yard line.
Smith shrugs off a sack, rolls out and ... throws an interception, with the 49ers leading 23-0.