Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Kurt Warner threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns and the Arizona Cardinals beat the 49ers 29-24 at University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday Night Football. Larry Fitzgerald caught a touchdown. Anquan Boldin caught two. Shaun Hill threw for 217 in his first start and two touchdowns. Frank Gore ran for 99. Jason Hill caught six for 82. The 49ers fell to 2-7 with the loss.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Kurt Warner went 32-of-42 for 328 yards and three touchdowns Monday night in the desert. The Arizona Cardinals beat the 49ers 29-24 in the kind of MNF road game where the Mike Singletary interim era got its first primetime introduction against the team's NFC West leader.
Shaun Hill, in his first start of the year, threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Frank Gore ran for 99. Jason Hill (no relation) caught six for 82. The defense surrendered 328 to Warner and could not get the Cardinals' offense off the field in the back half of the game.
2-7. The kind of MNF road loss that, against the NFC West leader, established the Singletary interim era as a roster-evaluation finish to the year. Shaun Hill stays the starter. The St. Louis Rams come to Candlestick next Sunday for a divisional rematch. The kind of home game where the 49ers, even at 2-7, can produce the kind of football the Singletary defensive-identity coaching style hopes for.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Cardinals 29, 49ers 24. Margin: -5. Nine-game record: 2-7, -64 differential.
* Kurt Warner: 32-of-42 for 328, 3 TDs, 0 INTs.
* Larry Fitzgerald: 1 receiving TD.
* Anquan Boldin: 2 receiving TDs.
* Tim Hightower: 13 carries for 22.
* Shaun Hill: 19-of-40 for 217, 2 TDs, 2 INTs (1st 2008 start).
* Frank Gore: 23 carries for 99.
* Jason Hill: 6 catches for 82.
* Isaac Bruce: 5 catches for 67.
* 49ers 2-7; Cardinals 6-3.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 29-24 Monday Night Football road loss in the desert. The 49ers fall to 2-7 in Mike Singletary's first full preparation week.
How it unfolded
Arizona scored on its opening drive with a Warner touchdown to make it 7-0. The 49ers answered with a Hill touchdown to Bruce to tie at 7-7. The Cardinals added a Warner touchdown to push the lead to 14-7. A Joe Nedney field goal made it 14-10. The second quarter was a Warner touchdown to make it 21-10. The 49ers added a Hill touchdown pass before halftime to make it 21-17. The third quarter was a Cardinals field goal that made it 24-17. The fourth quarter was a Frank Gore short touchdown run to give the 49ers a 24-24 tie. The Cardinals answered with a Warner-led drive that ended in a field goal to push the lead to 27-24, then another field goal to push it to 29-24. The 49ers' final drive ended at the Arizona 25-yard line.
The turning point
The Cardinals' two fourth-quarter field goals that pushed the lead from 24-24 to 29-24. With the game tied and the 49ers in position to take their first lead of the night, the Cardinals' field-goal drives ate clock and the defense could not get Warner off the field.
By the numbers
Hill 217 passing on 40 attempts with two TDs and two INTs. Gore 99 rushing on 23 carries. Bruce 67 receiving on 5 catches. Jason Hill 82 receiving on 6 catches. Vernon Davis 2 catches for 25. Warner 328 on 42 attempts with three TDs. Fitzgerald and Boldin combined for 130+ receiving with three TDs.
Personnel watch
Shaun Hill's first start of the year. Frank Gore in his fifth 100-yard-or-near game of the year. The defense's inability to generate pressure on Kurt Warner. The Cardinals' WR1-WR2 combination (Fitzgerald and Boldin) producing the kind of receiving day the 49ers' secondary could not contain.
What it means
2-7 with the Rams at home next Sunday. The kind of MNF road loss where Shaun Hill played the kind of game that justified his promotion to starter. The defense, generating zero turnovers, looked like a team still adjusting to the post-Nolan staff. Singletary stays interim head coach; Hill stays starter.
