SAN FRANCISCO — The Carolina Panthers didn't intend to run up the score against San Francisco. The 49ers let them.
"They really didn't do anything to stop us," quarterback Steve Beuerlein said. "They're a better team than that."
Beuerlein threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers beat the 49ers, 38-22, Sunday. All of the 49ers' points came in the second half.
Former 49er running back William Floyd opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run and Tshimanga Biakabutuka ran for another as the Panthers' offense rebounded from a sloppy season-opening loss to Washington.
A halftime celebration honored former San Francisco greats Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and Dave Wilcox, but the 49ers on the field bore no resemblance to their storied predecessors.