CINCINNATI (AP) — Kendall Hunter ran 7 yards for the game’s only touchdown with 3:59 to go Sunday, rallying the San Francisco 49ers to a 13-8 victory in front of the Cincinnati Bengals’ smallest crowd for a home opener in 30 years.
Hunter’s run completed the only noteworthy drive by the 49ers (2-1), who didn’t even cross midfield until midway through the third quarter.
Cincinnati (1-2) managed only a pair of field goals by Mike Nugent during rookie quarterback Andy Dalton’s first dismal performance. He threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter, the first of his career.
There were only 43,363 fans at 65,500-seat Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals’ smallest crowd for a home opener since they played at Riverfront Stadium in 1981.
The 49ers sent them heading for the exits when Reggie Smith intercepted Dalton’s forced throw with 1:45 left.
