CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Jose Cortez kicked a 26-yard field goal 4:41 into overtime Sunday to finish off a San Francisco comeback and give the 49ers a 25-22 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
It was the 49ers' third win in the extra session this season against one loss and they needed an amazing play from quarterback Jeff Garcia to help pull it off.
After John Kasay booted a 28-yard field goal with 1:52 left in regulation to give Carolina an eight-point lead, the 49ers took over on their own 34. Four plays later, with the 49ers facing fourth and four at the Carolina 46, Garcia found Tai Streets for an eight-yard gain with 52 seconds left.
With 12 seconds remaining, Garcia hit rookie tight end Eric Johnson for a 21-yard completion to the Carolina seven with six seconds to play. Garcia called a timeout before tossing a floater to Terrell Owens, who maintained his balance along the sideline marker and scored to pull San Francisco within 22-20 with one second left.
Needing the two-point conversion, Garcia rolled to his right and threw a jump pass to Johnson in the end zone to force overtime.
The 49ers won the toss at the start of the extra period and moved to the Panthers' 40, where they were faced with third and two. Garcia handed off to Garrison Hearst, who ran to his right, bounced off tacklers and gained 31 yards to the Carolina nine and set up the winning kick.
Hearst rushed for 92 yards on 17 carries for the 49ers, who advanced to 7-2 and are a half game behind St. Louis in the NFC West.
It was San Francisco's second win over Carolina (1-9) this season after dropping the previous four contests since former 49ers coach George Seifert took over the Panthers.
In eight seasons in San Francisco from 1989-1996, Seifert guided the 49ers to a 108-35 record and two Super Bowl titles. Seifert returned to the NFL in 1999 to coach the Panthers.
