SANTA CLARA -– Even before the San Diego Chargers came all the way back from a 21-point deficit to tie the game and win in overtime, the 49ers were a team that showed a season's worth of frustration on one night.
Colin Kaepernick’s 63-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis was nullified by to two penalties. Right tackle Anthony Davis was called for illegal formation, and Frank Gore was flagged for a chop block.
[MAIOCCO: Instant Replay: 49ers blow big lead, fall to Chargers in OT]
On the next play, Kaepernick was sacked, he fumbled and the Chargers recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Left tackle Joe Staley was called for an illegal formation on that play -- for lining up too far off the line of scimmage. At the conclusion of the play, Staley received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from referee Jeff Triplette.
What did he say to warrant the penalty?
“I told the ref he was terrible at his job," Staley said.
In those exact words?
Said Staley, “No, I’m paraphrasing."
It was the first 49ers game Triplette and his crew has officiated since Sept. 26, 2013, when he was the referee of a 49ers victory at the St. Louis Rams.
