(My Sportsbook) - The "moral victory" line has likely grown very stale in San Francisco 49ers camp, but the team and its win-starved fans were forced to visit it yet again this past Sunday.

The Niners went to Jacksonville and hung tough with the playoff-bound Jaguars for 60 minutes, ultimately falling, 10-9, to drop to 2-12 but improve their odds in the upcoming Reggie Bush sweepstakes.

Mike Nolan's team was more than a two-touchdown underdog coming into the contest, but allowed the Jaguars to get into the end zone just once all day. A young 49er secondary featuring two rookie starters never let quarterback David Garrard and the Jacksonville receivers hit on any big plays, and the San Francisco run-stopping unit limited Jags running backs to just 105 yards on 29 carries. The Niner offense, meanwhile, was still mostly difficult to watch but made some strides over last week's 41-3 abomination at Seattle.

"In going against probably the most physical football team we've faced all year, I was very pleased, because for us to take charge or command of the NFC West, that's what we're going to have to do," said Nolan.

What the 49ers also must do is get some improved play at the quarterback position. While rookie Alex Smith did exhibit a slightly better performance than he has shown of late, the Utah product's breakout performance never appeared imminent.

While playing behind perhaps the league's shakiest line, Smith completed just 8-of-24 passes for 123 yards and an interception. Smith threw his 10th interception of the season, failed to record his first touchdown pass, and walked away with yet another dismal passer rating (33.9).

Smith knows that his struggles mean trouble for the entire offense, and that leaning on a host of other youngsters both up front and in the backfield is not an option at this stage.

"We are so young, and there are some things we aren't accustomed to and some things we are," Smith said of the attack. "We are constantly trying to get on the same page on the sideline and ask questions of each other and get a feel for what we could do better."

Nolan, who answered a tacit "no" when asked after the Seattle game if he saw any positives from his quarterback, continued to speak like a man whose patience is at a low ebb when discussing the topic of Smith after the Jacksonville loss.

"There's a lot of things I'd like to see," said Nolan, "We've got a lot of hurdles, and we just have to take 'em one at a time. I don't know which one's going to come first, second or third."

FRANK TO THE BANK

Among the offensive bright spots for the 49ers on Sunday was the work of running back Frank Gore, who filled in for an injured Kevan Barlow (knee) and was the team's leading rusher and receiver. The rookie carried 19 times for 79 yards in the defeat, his second-best outing of the season, and caught three passes for another 57 yards out of the backfield. Depending on Barlow's health and/or the distribution of carries in the final two weeks, Gore (432 yards) could overtake Barlow (581 yards) as the team's rushing leader.

Nolan praised the work of the former Miami (FL) star following the loss.

"What I love about him is football means so much to him," said Nolan. "You think he's stopped, and he will pop out of there for 4, 5 and 6 yards."

HEY JOE

Sunday's game marked the seventh time this season that kicker Joe Nedney has accounted for all of the 49ers' scoring, as the veteran hit field goals of 35, 47, and 33 yards in a losing effort.

Nedney is now 23-of-25 on field goals in 2005, including 10-of-12 from 40 yards or greater, and could get an extended Pro Bowl look due to his consistent showing. The San Jose State graduate is third in the NFC in field goals made, behind only Arizona's Neil Rackers (36) and the Giants' Jay Feely (30). His 92.0 percent success rate trails only Rackers (97.3) and Atlanta's Todd Peterson (95.5).

Nedney's Pro Bowl chances are enhanced by the fact that Rackers has battled injuries in recent weeks, and Feely's meltdown against the Seahawks is unlikely to win him much Pro Bowl mention.

B.Y. BACK

A huge help to the San Francisco defense on Sunday was the return of veteran end Bryant Young, who was back in action after missing three games with a sprained ligament in his right knee.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection, who leads the 49ers in sacks with eight, started the contest and was credited with one tackle. It was originally believed that Young could miss the remainder of the season.

UP NEXT

San Francisco will next week face one of the two opponents it has defeated this season, namely the St. Louis Rams. The Niners were 28-25 winners over the Rams at Monster Park back in Week 1. The Rams are 6-0 against the 49ers in the last six meetings between the two in the Arch City, with San Francisco last winning there in 1998.