Gore batters Seahawks, absorbs pounding

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SAN FRANCISCO -- Running back Frank Gore dished out his share of punishment on Thursday night. And also absorbed a lot of blows in the 49ers' 13-6 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park.Gore and his Seattle counterpart, Marshawn Lynch, supplied most of the offense for both teams. Gore rushed for 131 yards on 16 rushing attempts before exiting midway through the fourth quarter.Gore told CSNBayArea.com that he sustained bruised ribs. X-rays taken after the game were negative, he said. He said he sustained the injury when he was hit in the back in the second quarter after catching a short pass."It was a good hit, a good play by Seattle," he said.Said 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, "It was the most physical 30 minutes of football in that second half that I've ever seen our team play."
The 49ers' offensive line of tackles Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, guards Mike Iupati and Alex Boone, and center Jonathan Goodwin had a strong day against a Seattle defense that was ranked No. 4 in the NFL. In addition to opening holes for Gore, they also supplied quarterback Alex Smith with time to throw.However, about the only offense the 49ers could generate in the passing game came from Gore, too. Gore also finished with five receptions for 51 yards.The 49ers put together the only touchdown drive of the game at the start with their first drive of the third quarter. Smith completed 5-of-5 passes for 60 yards.After that, the 49ers turned to Gore to control the clock. Smith threw an interception at the goal line to end one drive, and the 49ers settled for a David Akers field goal for another score."I got a rhythm and the O-line and receivers did a great job of blocking. I feel like once I get in a rhythm, I feel like I can't be stopped," Gore said.Gore did not play for the final eight minutes of the game due to the soreness in his ribs."I'll be all right," Gore said. "Coach just wanted to be smart. We have a long season. We have great backs, Kendall (Hunter), Brandon Jacobs, Anthony Dixon. They can do things to help our team."Hunter carried nine times for 31 yards. Jacobs was active for the first time this season but did not play.Gore will have 10 full days to get ready for the 49ers' next game. The 49ers return to action Monday, Oct. 29, at the Arizona Cardinals.The game matched two of the top running backs in the league. Lynch was impressive in his own right Thursday with 103 yards rushing on 19 carries."He's a bulldog," Gore said. "Whenever there are two backs who are the top guys, you want to compete. We were playing at home, so I wasn't going to let him out-do me."

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