49ers top Redskins 19-11 for sixth staight win

BOX SCORE

LANDOVER, Md. -- The 49ers remained unbeaten away from home and extended their win streak to six games with a 19-11 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday.The 49ers improved to 7-1 for the first time since 1997, which is also the last time the 49ers had a six-game win streak. The 49ers have won their first four road games for the first time since the 1992 season.Record-setting Gore: Running back Frank Gore became the first player in franchise history to gain more than 100 yards in five consecutive games. Gore finished with 107 yards on 19 carries. In 1998, Garrison Hearst gained 100 yards in four straight games.Early starters: The win was the first time the 49ers have won at least four games in a season with a 10 a.m. (PT) start time since 1990. The 49ers went 5-0 in early starts that season.Harbaugh makes history: Coach Jim Harbaugh is the third coach in 49ers history to begin his career with a 7-1 record, joining George Seifert (1989) and Steve Mariucci (1997). Harbaugh became the first 49ers first-year head coach to begin the season 7-1 with a 49ers team who held a losing record the previous season.More about Harbaugh: The 49ers' coach joins Jim Mora (2004 with Falcons) as the only rookie head coaches to lead their team to a five-game improvement from the previous season through eight games since 1970. The 49ers opened last season with a 2-6 record.Bruuuuuce: Rookie fullback Bruce Miller, a converted college defensive end, tasted the end zone for the first time in his career. He ran past the coverage of Redskins linebacker Rocky McIntosh to catch a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alex Smith. Miller scored a touchdown last season at Central Florida when he returned a fumble for a score against Houston.Playing takeway: Linebacker Patrick Willis jarred the ball loose from Redskins running back Roy Helu. Safety Donte Whitner recovered the fumble late in the first half to set the table for Miller's touchdown reception. Willis also forced another fumble in the fourth quarter.
Just kickin' it: David Akers continues to be one of the 49ers' top free-agent pickups off the offseason. He made all four field-goal attempts, including a 52-yarder to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead in the second quarter. Akers is 4-for-4 from beyond 50 yards this season, making kicks of 52, 53 and twice from 55.Sack man: Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks recorded a sack, giving him five on the season with four of them coming in the past three games.Spreadin' it around: Alex Smith completed passes to eight different receivers, tying a 49ers season-high. Smith had another efficient game, completing 17 of 24 passes for 200 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.