Singletary gets a win

SAN FRANCISCO — As bad as things have been for the 49ers this season, at least their fans can take solace in one indisputable fact: This team is in much better shape than the lowly St. Louis Rams.

It was difficult to tell how good the 49ers were on Sunday. They were plenty good, to be sure, snapping a six-game losing streak. But just how darn bad were the Rams?

Regardless, 49ers interim coach Mike Singletary recorded his first career victory since taking over for fired Mike Nolan in convincing fashion with a 35-16 victory over the Rams at Candlestick Park.

The 49ers were shut out in the final two quarters. But they did more than enough damage in the first 30 minutes of play to ensure the victory. The 49ers had the game firmly in hand when they were cheered off the field at halftime with a 32-point lead.

“We talked about coming out and starting fast, executing, doing the things we need to do in order to win the game,” Singletary said. “So we were very excited about what happened in the first half.”

But the 49ers left plenty of room for improvement, too.

“We won the first half, but we didn’t win the second half,” 49ers safety Mark Roman said. “Championship teams win the first half and the second half.”

Of course, the 49ers (3-7) are nowhere close to establishing themselves as a great team. They are still a long way from being a good team. But they appear to be a much better team with quarterback Shaun Hill on the field.

Hill brought a sense of calm to the San Francisco offense — while also appearing to inject some attitude. The 49ers controlled the line of scrimmage, which became quite apparent with their noticeable shift in philosophy.

The 49ers relied on Frank Gore’s running, along with a steady diet of Hill’s short passing. Then Hill kept the Rams off-balance with a deep pass or two, including a perfect 36-yard strike down the middle to running back Michael Robinson.

Hill put together a sensational first half, completing 12 of 14 passes for 192 yards and two touchdown throws. He also ran for a touchdown. With a perfect passer rating of 158.3, he became the first quarterback in club history to score perfect through one half of play.

As impressive as it was, it also needs to be emphasized that the 49ers defeated the Rams, a team whose record falls to 2-8. St. Louis has been outscored 99-10 in the first halves of its past three games.

The 49ers’ three victories this season have come against Seattle, Detroit and St. Louis — teams with a combined 4-26 record. (One of Seattle’s two victories came against the 49ers.)

San Francisco’s 35-3 lead at halftime was historic in its efficiency. To wit:

The 49ers’ 28 points in the second quarter tied the club record, previously accomplished five times. The last time they scored four touchdowns in a quarter was Dec. 23, 1991 against the Bears.

It was the 49ers’ biggest first-half lead since Dec. 7, 2003, when they led the Cardinals 34-0.

It was the most points the 49ers have scored in a first half since they had a 42-10 lead against the Falcons on Oct. 18, 1992.

Also, Hill’s 192 yards passing were the most in the first half for a 49ers quarterback since Jeff Garcia had 221 against the Cardinals in 2003.

The 49ers received plenty of help in the first half. Cornerbacks Nate Clements and Walt Harris recorded interceptions that the offense quickly turned into touchdowns. Gore scored on runs of 1 and 5 yards. He finished with 106 yards rushing on 18 carries.

“That was terrible,” said Rams interim coach Jim Haslett. “We turned the ball over three times in the first half and they get the ball at the 10, the 30 and 40 and then we do nothing on defense to stop them from scoring every time they touch the ball.”

Singletary spoke after the game about the importance of finishing the job. The 49ers fell short of a complete performance, as they were outscored 13-0 in the second half. During one sequence San Francisco had three consecutive false-start penalties.

“I wanted to make sure that I told them that I was very, very proud of the fact that they played hard and we won the game,” Singletary said. “But here are some things we need to work on going forward if we’re going to be a great team. So, no, I was not displeased. I just pointed those things out that we have to correct.”

To a man, the 49ers were excited that they could deliver Singletary his first victory. Tight end Vernon Davis, who caught his second touchdown pass in two games, even became the first to give him an unconditional vote for the permanent job.

“I want coach Singletary around for as long as he wants to be here,” Davis said. “I think he’s a great coach.”

In the postgame locker room, 49ers free safety Mark Roman presented Singletary with the game ball.

“He’s such an unselfish guy,” Roman said. “He would never think that he was doing this for himself. I think one of the things everybody respects about him is he’s always going to be honest with you.”

Singletary said he was humbled by his first victory. His thoughts drifted to what this would have meant to his parents, both of whom died in the past four years.

“I’m very thankful and very proud of that, more so for the guys than for myself,” Singletary said. “Because they deserve it.”

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