SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- With Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow leading the way, the San Francisco 49ers rushed for 252 yards Sunday and downed the Washington Redskins, 20-10.
It was Pro Bowl receiver Terrell Owens, however, who provided the most exciting run of the day with a 38-yard touchdown. Running to his right on a reverse, Owens faked a pass and stopped at the Washington 35 before shifting direction to the left.
The Redskins overpursued on the play as Owens raced across the field to the left sideline and hurdled over cornerback Champ Bailey inside the five before high-stepping into the end zone.
"It's been a frustrating first two games for me, so I was happy to make a big play on that reverse," Owens said. "The play was designed for me to throw it, but their secondary had tight coverage and I had to make something happen.
"I got some good blocks, took off to my left and got into the end zone."
The touchdown gave the 49ers (2-1) a 14-3 lead with 9:16 left in the second quarter and Jose Cortez added a pair of field goals.
Hearst had 97 yards on 19 carries and Barlow added 94 yards on 15 carries.
"It felt great to break through the line of scrimmage," Hearst said. "Our offensive line did a great job all day. Me and Kevan had holes to run through."
"Both those guys (Hearst and Barlow) ran hard all day and we needed it with (quarterback Jeff) Garcia under the weather," said 49ers Coach Steve Mariucci. "Our running game was superb."
Garcia was bothered by the flu and left the game in the second half. He completed 10 of 19 passes for 84 yards with an interception before telling Mariucci to insert backup Tim Rattay.
"I didn't feel crisp in my decision making, my feet weren't working for me," Garcia said. "I felt that if the team was going to compete, they needed new energy on the field. I don't want to come off the field, but I also don't want to let my team down. I wasn't doing the things I needed to do."
"Jeff felt like he couldn't be sharp and make good decisions," Mariucci said. "He suggested we put in Tim and I tell you, the snaps Tim took in preseason were well worth it."
Rattay was five of nine for 41 yards in relief of Garcia.
Meanwhile, Washington Coach Steve Spurrier's "Fun 'N' Gun" offense fizzled as the Redskins (1-2) committed three turnovers and managed just 12 first downs.
In the preseason opener, the Redskins rolled to a 38-7 rout of the 49ers, but Spurrier incurred the wrath of Mariucci for electing to throw a bomb for a touchdown on fourth and one with his team holding a 31-7 with under a minute remaining.
But after Sunday's game, the two shook hands at midfield and Mariucci, who is known for his engaging personality, appeared to harbor no animosity towards Spurrier.
"I just wanted us to get through this game because we were bit by the flu bug," Mariucci said. "Most of our guys put in a courageous effort and got the job done."
Spurrier's offense failed to score in Monday night's 37-7 loss to Philadelphia and was held to a touchdown and a field goal by the 49ers.
Shane Matthews was 17 of 28 for 169 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown to tight end Zeron Flemister.
"I tried everything I could to help the team win," Matthews said.
Spurrier yanked Matthews in favor of Danny Wuerffel in the fourth quarter, but Wuerffel was one of two for 14 yards with an interception.
"I thought I'd give him (Wuerffel) a chance, but it's the whole team, don't put it all on the quarterbacks," Spurrier said. "Our offensive line didn't play super, we had a lot of disappointing third-quarter plays."
Washington's first turnover led to San Francisco's first touchdown. Stephen Davis, who rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries, fumbled and safety Tony Parrish recovered for the 49ers. He returned it 10 yards to the Washington 14. Garcia hit tight end Eric Johnson with a seven-yard pass before Barlow scored on a seven-yard run on a sweep to the left 5:16 into the game.
James Tuthill kicked a 33-yard field goal 36 seconds into the second quarter to cap a 12-play, 73-yard drive for Washington. The key plays were a 25-yard pass from Matthews to Flemister and an 18-yard catch by fullback Rock Cartwright.
After Owens' electifying run, the Redskins put together a 12-play, 70-yard drive which resulted in Matthews' touchdown pass to Flemister with 3:02 left in the half. Matthews kept the drive alive with a 15-yard pass to Derrius Thompson on third and 12 to the San Francisco 45.
Cortez kicked a 33-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in the third quarter and added a 35-yarder with 2:12 left in the game.
