Late field goal lifts Saints over 49ers

Saints-49ers boxscore

SAN FRANCISCO — Drew Brees is getting plenty of extra chances thanks to his opportunistic defense.

Last season, the New Orleans Saints won their games with a high-flying offense. So far this year they're doing it on the other side of the ball. While Brees and Co. are finding their way early, the defense seems to be in midseason form.

Garrett Hartley kicked a 37-yard field goal that was partially blocked and barely fluttered through as time expired after Brees set it up with a 30-yard completion to Marques Colston and the Saints spoiled the San Francisco 49ers' home opener with a 25-22 victory Monday night.

"We've stayed with the mindset we are the hunter, not the hunted," Brees said moments after the thrilling finish.

San Francisco's Frank Gore ran for a 7-yard touchdown with 1:19 to play and Vernon Davis made a close-call catch at the goal line for the tying 2-point conversion. The play was initially called no good, but the 49ers (0-2) got the call after a replay review.

The defending Super Bowl champion Saints (2-0), who relied on their defense most of the game, got the ball back at the 30 with 1:14 left and the wind at their back. Brees hit Colston with a pass that put the Saints on the 18 with 18 seconds left. The 49ers watched anxiously as Hartley's kick just made it. It was Hartley who booted the game-winning field goal in overtime last season against Minnesota to send the Saints to the Super Bowl.

Ray McDonald got a hand on Hartley's kick but it just got there.

"I got half the ball but I didn't get enough," McDonald said.

Reggie Bush caught a 6-yard TD pass in his first game since giving back his 2005 Heisman Trophy won while with Southern California. The NCAA punished USC after concluding that Bush and his family took money and gifts from sports agents while Bush played for the Trojans. Bush was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 6:58 left and then was taken to the locker room on a cart. No information was given on the severity of the injury.

"Everybody is giving us their A game," Bush said. "Everybody is giving us their best shot. We're just finding ways to win. That's all we can do is find ways to win. We can't be down about a win like this. This is a great win against a physical team, a tough team. They came out and gave us their best shot. We still found a way to win. That's what champions do, find ways to win no matter what."