49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick now realizes that, if the game plan is to have him carry the offense, they need a better one.
The better plan on Thursday night (and every night, and part of every day) was to give the ball to Frank Gore, who gashed the Rams defense for 153 yards on only 20 carries, an average of 7.65 yards per attempt.
Meanwhile, Kaepernick threw for a mere 167 yards, his third straight game under 200.
Even the short-on-words Kaepernick acknowledged twice during his post-game press conference the importance of relying on Gore.
“We knew we had to get him his touches,” Kaepernick said. “He’s a Hall of Fame running back. You have to get him the ball.”
Kaepernick came back around to the point later in his remarks.
“We have to get Frank the ball,” Kaepernick said. “We have to let him get downhill, let him get his touches. He’s the leading rusher for us all time for a reason.”
Gore’s effort included runs of 18, 27, 17, 34, and 13 yards. The 34-yard jaunt came on fourth and inches late in the first half, giving the 49ers a 14-3 lead that felt insurmountable, and was.
At age 30 (which for running backs is the new 60), Gore should be slowing down. He’s not. And the 49ers need to ride him throughout 2013 -- and hope Marcus Lattimore is ready to go whenever Gore no longer can.