O'Sullivan makes his best case yet for starting QB

CHICAGO — Quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan did not have to be perfect to win the 49ers’ starting job, but he left nothing to chance.

O’Sullivan pitched a perfect game — at least by the NFL’s statistical standards — to solidify his hold on the 49ers’ starting job over Alex Smith, the No.1 overall pick in the 2005 draft.

The 49ers put together their best offensive performance in an exhibition game in 19 years, as each of their three quarterbacks led touchdown drives Thursday night en route to a 37-30 victory over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

It was the most points the 49ers have scored in an exhibition game since a 37-7 victory over the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. The 49ers rolled up 425 yards of total offense against the Bears.

Coach Mike Nolan did not answer the big question after the game. He said he would speak to O’Sullivan, Smith and Shaun Hill before announcing his starting quarterback.

“Naturally, I like to watch the film and talk with the players before an announcement like that is made,” Nolan said. “But I liked what I saw out of all three of them. ... I’d like to do it the right way.”

The quarterback drama has played out the entire offseason. Now, the 49ers have just one exhibition game remaining before the start of the regular season, Sept.7 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Smith and Hill split all of the practice snaps in the first week of training camp. When O’Sullivan was given his chance to compete for the job, he seized the opportunity.

“That’s the big talk,” 49ers tight end Vernon Davis said. “Everybody wants to know who the starting quarterback is. I have no idea. Everybody looks good to me. I’m dying to know who it’s going to be.”

Here’s a hint: It will be the player who had been with seven previous NFL teams before getting his big chance with the 49ers in this preseason. O’Sullivan made another strong case on Thursday.

His only incomplete pass came on a shovel pass that running back Frank Gore dropped. O’Sullivan completed 7 of 8 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. His passer rating computed to 158.3 — the highest possible rating in the NFL formula.

Meanwhile, Smith, also playing with the first-team offensive line, completed just 6 of 17 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Hill connected on 6 of 7 attempts for 60 yards with the reserves.

O’Sullivan capped his evening in grand fashion.

On the 49ers’ first possession of the second quarter, O’Sullivan made a perfect pass along the right sideline to tight end Vernon Davis for 40 yards. He then rolled right and found Jason Hill in the end zone for a 37-yard scoring pass.

That was it: two plays, 77 yards in 46 seconds. And, with that, he seemingly brought the quarterback competition to a conclusion.

The 49ers’ offense played just three series with O’Sullivan. The 49ers scored on each of those drives. The team marched 65 and 69 yards to set up Joe Nedney field goals of 28 and 24 yards.

“We moved the ball and hoped to score touchdowns every time, but felt good about moving the ball and getting first downs and we’ll go from there,” O’Sullivan said. “You never like getting into the red zone and not scoring touchdowns. From that standpoint, I felt like we left points on the field, but I’m glad we won.”

O’Sullivan left the game early in the second quarter with the 49ers holding a 13-10 lead. Although Smith was at the controls on two 49ers’ touchdown drives, he was not nearly as sharp.

“The nice thing I know is that I’m capable of so much more in this system,” Smith said. “I haven’t begun to see where it can go.”

Smith was not nearly as accurate with his passes, but he was still effective. He ran for 10 yards on a third-and-10 to keep a drive alive near midfield. Smith capped the drive with a 12-yard scoring pass to Dominique Zeigler.

Smith played five possessions — all of which with the first-team offensive line (minus three injured starters). Smith’s three possessions ended with touchdown, punt, blocked field goal, touchdown, punt.

The 49ers netted a touchdown and a field goal in four possessions with Hill at quarterback. By that time, the 49ers had turned to their run game. Thomas Clayton rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at 49ers.pressdemocrat.com. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com