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
Niners Battle Back in Nail-Biter
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 game 20-17....   (Associated Press)

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. (More NFL stories.)

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