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Niners Battle Back in Nail-Biter

San Francisco bags improbable 20-17 win over Cardinals

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 11, 2007 9:56 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals last night for the first time since 2004, successfully converting a last-minute fumble by (their own) wide receiver Arnaz Battle. Battle recovered the fumble and zig-zagged it into the end zone with 22 seconds on the clock to cap a riveting final drive and pull of a 20-17 upset.

Arizona QB Alex Smith struggled most of the night, completing just 15 of his 31 passes and falling victim to three sacks. The game stayed close throughout, the outcome only becoming certain when 49er Shawntae Spencer intercepted a long pass by Matt Leinart with eight seconds remaining.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle, right, fumbles the ball at the one-yard line as Arizona Cardinals safety Terrence Holt, left, looks on during the fourth quarter of an NFL Football game in San Francisco, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. The 49ers scored on the ensuing play to win the...
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle, right, fumbles the ball at the one-yard line as Arizona Cardinals safety Terrence Holt, left, looks on during the fourth quarter of an NFL Football game...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers Brandon Moore (56) sacks the Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)
San Francisco 49ers Brandon Moore (56) sacks the Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers' Arnaz Battle runs a reverse to score the winning touchdown with 23 seconds remaining to beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)
San Francisco 49ers' Arnaz Battle runs a reverse to score the winning touchdown with 23 seconds remaining to beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 in an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, in San Francisco....   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers Shawntae Spencer (36) celebrate after making the game-ending interception against the Arizona Cardinals late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)
San Francisco 49ers Shawntae Spencer (36) celebrate after making the game-ending interception against the Arizona Cardinals late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 in...   (Associated Press)
San Francisco 49ers Arnaz Battle fumbles near the endzone after catching a pass against the Arizona Cardinals Terrence Holt late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 in San Francisco. The ball was brought back out to the 1 yard line after a teammate...
San Francisco 49ers Arnaz Battle fumbles near the endzone after catching a pass against the Arizona Cardinals Terrence Holt late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 in...   (Associated Press)
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The view from Arizona
Arizona Republic (Phoenix)

 
NFL • Arizona Cardinals • football • San Francisco 49ers • Alex Smith • Arnaz Battle • Matt Leinart • Shawntae Spencer

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