49ers' special teams make NFL history

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The 49ers made history Sunday when they became the first team in league history to return blocked field goals for touchdowns in back-to-back games.

Manny Lawson returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out of two games and made his mark with a blocked field goal, which Nate Clements returned 74 yards for a touchdown.

“The ball blocked me,” said Lawson, following the 49ers’ 29-17 loss to the New York Giants. “It hit me in the facemask.”

But the reason John Carney’s 35-yard field goal attempt hit Lawson in the helmet was because Lawson deftly split the double team of Giants linemen Jay Alford and Kevin Boothe to get several yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

“Manny Lawson did an excellent job on making the play, jumping over, making the play,” Clements said. “It just happened to bounce to me. If it wasn’t for that front line getting that push, nothing would’ve happened.”

Lawson credited teammate Tully Banta-Cain for giving him the tip that he used to block the field goal.

“He was the nose guard (on the field goal) before me,” Lawson said. “He told me that the guards were firing out.”

Last week, Donald Strickland returned Ray McDonald’s blocked field goal 54 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles. Since 1970, the 49ers have returned only five blocked field goals for scores.

Lawson also saw his most action on defense on Sunday, as he recorded a season-high four tackles.

There have been lingering questions whether Lawson’s decreased playing time through the first four games had anything to do with his recovery from a season-ending knee injury he sustained a year ago. Lawson said he hopes those concerns were alleviated on Sunday.

“My knee hasn’t bothered me since I had the injury,” Lawson said. “My knee is fine.”

TIMEOUT LOGIC

Despite owning all three of their timeouts late in the first half, 49ers coach Mike Nolan decided not to use a timeout after running back Frank Gore was called for a false start with 46 seconds remaining and the 49ers with the ball at the Giants’ 47.

With the penalty, there was a mandatory 10-second clock runoff, which could have been avoided if the 49ers had used a timeout. Then, the officials started the clock when the ball was ready for play. As a result, the 49ers lost a 18 seconds with their refusal to spend a timeout. Their next snap took place with :28 remaining.

Nolan’s explanation was a bit fuzzy.

“I thought we had time for about six plays going into the end,” Nolan said. “And that play takes about 16 seconds and the clock was already stopped. So I figured that play right there was a 10-second maximum with the runoff because I had timeouts. So I figured by the time the half was over, I basically saved six seconds.”

The 49ers got to the Giants’ 19-yard line, but J.T. O’Sullivan threw an interception in the end zone with :15 remaining before the half.

INJURY REPORT

Four 49ers players left the game Sunday with injuries and were unable to return to action. Return man Allen Rossum sustained a groin strain on his second kickoff return. Delanie Walker handled kick-return duties, while Clements and Arnaz Battle shared the action on punt returns.

Defensive end Ray McDonald (knee), and safeties Michael Lewis (knee) and Dashon Goldson (knee) also did not return to action. Their injuries will be re-evaluated this week.

Clements (ribs), safety Mark Roman (groin) and receiver Josh Morgan (groin) returned to the game with their injuries.

EXTRA POINTS

The 49ers held the Giants to a season-low 112 yards rushing on 32 carries. Brandon Jacobs had 69 yards rushing on 17 carries, including a rush of 26 yards.

The 49ers’ inactives on Sunday were Jamie Martin (third quarterback), cornerback Marcus Hudson, cornerback Reggie Smith, fullback David Kirtman, linebacker Ahmad Brooks, and offenisve linemen Cody Wallace, Jonas Jennings and Kirk Barton.

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49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.