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Galloway score briefly gives Bucs hope
By STEPHEN F. HOLDER
Published October 31, 2005
SAN FRANCISCO - Receiver Joey Galloway took a short jaunt up the field, turned around, and realized the nearest defender was a trolley ride away.
Quarterback Chris Simms recognized this simultaneously, and the two connected for what appeared to be a short pass over the middle that would be lucky to produce a first down.
That's when Galloway turned on the afterburners.
"That's the name of the game: take what they give you," Galloway said.
"Simms made a nice read, he gave it to me and then it was just me and the safety."
The safety never caught up.
Galloway turned upfield and, 75 yards later, he had the Bucs' longest play of the game, one that appeared to be the play that would turn Sunday's game in Tampa Bay's favor. The Bucs pulled within 12-10 after Galloway's 11th touchdown in 12 games with 10:45 left. But it didn't turn out to be the turning point they thought it might.
The Bucs went three-and-out on their next possession and the 49ers followed with an 11-play drive that produced a field goal. Soon, the Bucs' window slammed shut.
"We all felt pretty confident that that was what we needed to get going in the right direction," said Galloway, who notched his 500th career reception in the game.
"But give them credit. They fought back after we made a play. They came back and made plays of their own."
Galloway's play immediately changed the mood on a somber Bucs sideline, where long faces instantly turned and fist-pumping players on the sideline ran alongside Galloway on his way to the end zone.
"When we got that, we were able to have faith we could win the ballgame," said receiver Michael Clayton , who threw the decisive block on Galloway's run. "That was a turning point right there, and we had a chance to get the ball back and go down and score. But we have to eliminate turnovers. That's what causes you to lose games."
Clayton also reached a milestone, his first reception of the day marking his 100th career catch. But the play of the day was wasted.
"We definitely had some opportunities, and that was a key opportunity," defensive lineman Ellis Wyms said. "They made the plays and we didn't. We came out here to the West Coast and lost another one."
NO TAKEAWAYS: The Bucs didn't produce a turnover Sunday, marking their second game this season without one. The Bucs failed to produce a turnover against Buffalo in Week 2, but the defense did record the equivalent of one with a safety against Bills quarterback J.P. Losman .
The Bucs entered the game seventh in the league in turnover margin at plus-6. They committed three turnovers Sunday, all by Simms (a fumble and two interceptions).
NO SACKS, EITHER: The defense failed to record a sack for the first time this season. The Bucs had 15 sacks through their first six games, including four of Gus Frerotte in their last game against the Dolphins.
FOND MEMORIES: Linebacker Ryan Nece returned to the stadium where his father, former 49ers great Ronnie Lott , played many of his memorable games. The historic stadium has been a big part of Nece's life.
"I grew up here as a kid in the stands," he said. "It's pretty awesome to see your father's jersey retired and see people wearing his jersey in the stands."
WINLESS WEEKEND: Tight end Alex Smith was excited about this trip west because he was able to attend a portion of the UCLA-Stanford game Saturday. The former Cardinal standout was elated when his team led 27-3 in the fourth quarter.
After Smith was dismissed from a meeting later that evening, he learned the Bruins had rallied to win 30-27.
"It was a bad weekend in the bay area," Smith said after the Bucs' loss.
[Last modified October 31, 2005, 03:00:27]
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