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49ers 3rd String Stymies Bengals

Shaun Hill shines in first NFL start, leading SF to its 4th victory

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 16, 2007 5:41 AM CST

(Newser) – Cincinnati may have thought last night's game was in the bag: San Francisco sat in the dregs of the NFC, boasted one of the weakest offenses, and was starting its third-string quarterback. But Shaun Hill made the first start of his six NFL seasons count, going 21-for-28 to accumulate 197 yards and a 20-13 Niners victory, the Chronicle reports.

San Francisco burst to their first halftime lead this season, and controlled the clock for 36 minutes. Hill's confidence seemed to infect his teammates, who managed for the most part to avoid costly blunders on several big drives. Niners coach Mike Nolan has tapped Hill for the season's last two games, and Hill plans to win them—"that's for dang sure."

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, right, passes against the rush of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Roderick Green (54) in the first quarter of a football game Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, right, passes against the rush of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Roderick Green (54) in the first quarter of a football game Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, in San...   (Associated Press)
Cincinnati Bengals safety Dexter Jackson (28) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Delanie Walker in the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Cincinnati Bengals safety Dexter Jackson (28) tackles San Francisco 49ers' Delanie Walker in the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill (13) scrambles for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter of a football game Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill (13) scrambles for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter of a football game Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson, left, leaps over Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones after a reception during the second half on an NFL football game in San Francisco, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. San Francisco won 20-13. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Darrell Jackson, left, leaps over Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones after a reception during the second half on an NFL football game in San Francisco, Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill (13) celebrates his touchdown run against the Cincinnati Bengals with teammate Eric Heitmann (66) in the second quarter of a football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill (13) celebrates his touchdown run against the Cincinnati Bengals with teammate Eric Heitmann (66) in the second quarter of a football game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2007,...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) high fives fans after his team's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game in San Francisco Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. San Francisco won 20-13. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) high fives fans after his team's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game in San Francisco Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007. San Francisco won...   (Associated Press)
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