49ers look for points vs. Chargers on Sunday

Team looks to show offense has life after scoring three points in first two games.|

SANTA CLARA - The winless San Francisco 49ers are counting on a far more memorable day of football on their home field to take some focus off the condition of that very field.

San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium debut quickly became a debacle last Sunday, from missed chances, miscues and sod that showed in a hurry it is still finding its own solid ground in a new $1.2 billion venue.

“It’s very frustrating. You open a new stadium and you want to play well,” safety Eric Reid said. “I can speak for the team when I say we didn’t play very well.”

The 49ers were blanked 34-0 to be exact, committing four turnovers and watching typically spot-on placekicker Phil Dawson sail two field-goal tries wide right. They are yet to score a preseason touchdown.

Jim Harbaugh’s team is eager to have some success in its second straight home game on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

The 49ers have won the past four preseason meetings between the teams that have faced off in the exhibition schedule every year since 1987.

The grass was replaced Friday after players slipped on the initial sod during an open practice Wednesday.

Harbaugh said that wouldn’t affect whether he played his starters deeper into the game as is customary in the third exhibition.

Harbaugh said his team wouldn’t hold a walk-through Saturday on the new grass, with everybody getting out there early as usual Sunday before the game for warmups.

“I think they’ll get the job done,” running back Frank Gore said of the crew working on the field.

This could be a unique matchup for both teams considering they face each other again in the regular season’s Week 16 on Dec. 20 at Levi’s Stadium. Harbaugh figures neither will provide many clues when it comes to scheme.

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will likely play more than the two series he had last week, perhaps giving him more of a glimpse of the deep and talented receiving group he has.

San Francisco hasn’t scored the past seven quarters and has been outscored 57-3 in two preseason games.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.