SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Garrison Hearst recorded his first 100-yard game in nearly three years Sunday and Jeff Garcia tied a career high with four touchdown passes, including a pair to Terrell Owens, to lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 28-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints.
The win kept the 49ers (6-2) within one game of first-place St. Louis and moved them two games ahead of the Saints (4-4) in the NFC West.
After undergoing four operations for a left ankle injury that resulted in circulation problems, Hearst missed the last two seasons and was a candidate to be cut for salary cap purposes.
But after losing Charlie Garner as a free agent, the 49ers opted to keep Hearst in the hopes he could recover from the career-threatening surgeries.
Hearst showed signs he was rounding into form and rushed for 433 yards in San Francisco's first seven games. On Sunday, he produced his first 100-yard game since Dec. 20, 1998, rushing for 145 yards on 17 carries, including 119 in the second half.
Garcia, who eclipsed Steve Young's club record with 4,278 passing yards last season, completed 21 of 33 for 252 yards and four scores.
Owens, again the subject of controversy in San Francisco after he accused 49ers coach Steve Mariucci of intentionally curbing the team's fast-paced offense in a loss at Chicago two weeks ago, had eight catches for 102 yards. He had touchdown receptions of 25 and five yards.
New Orleans had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but running back Rickey Williams dropped a pass in the end zone on a third-down play. John Carney then kicked a 36-yard field goal to pull the Saints within 28-27 with eight minutes left.
Willie Jackson caught 10 passes for 164 yards for New Orleans, which suffered its second straight loss.
