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Christmas Eve Hawaii Bowl —Tulsa vs Hawaii, 5 p.m., ESPN NCAA Hoops — Cancun Governor’s Cup, 4 p.m., ESPN2 NCAA Hoops — Cancun Governor’s Cup, 6 p.m., ESPN2 Golf — Japan Golf Tour, Dunlop Phoenix, Noon, TGC Sports 1B Friday December 24, 2010 49ers switching back to Troy Smith San Francisco 49ers SANTA CLARA (AP) — The San Fran- cisco 49ers are going back to Troy Smith as their starting quarterback while leaving open the possibility they might switch to Alex Smith at any time. Coach Mike Singletary said Thursday that Troy Smith will start Sunday’s pivotal NFC West game against the St. Louis Rams in place of Alex Smith, who started San Francisco’s last two games. The coach also said he wouldn’t hesitate to change quarterbacks during the game if the situation calls for it. ‘‘We could possibly use them both,’’ Sin- gletary said. ‘‘The game will dictate it. Even though Troy is going to be the starter, we’re making sure that the game plan is such that we can possibly use both their strengths in this game.’’ The 49ers have now changed quarter- backs after each of their last two defeats in an attempt to salvage a losing season. At 5- 9, San Francisco still has an opportunity to capture the NFC West title and end a seven- year playoff drought by winning its final two games against St. Louis and Arizona. Troy Smith, who didn’t join the 49ers until Sept. 6, has remained focused through- out the week on his second chance as San Francisco’s starter. Troy Smith went 3-2 in his five games as a starter earlier this season after taking over for Alex Smith in late Octo- ber. Troy Smith had a career-high 356 yards passing to lead the 49ers to a 23-20 overtime victory against St. Louis on Nov. 14. ‘‘This is huge for me,’’ Troy Smith said. ‘‘For any player to be able to play in a game of this magnitude, be a part of something special, it’s going to be pretty big for all of us. The knick-knacks and the other little things that are going on around us, we’re definitely channeling that out and worrying about winning this game.’’ The 49ers went back to Alex Smith two weeks ago after Troy Smith completed just 10 of 25 passes during a 34-16 loss at Green Bay. Alex Smith had statistically the best game of his career the next week during a 40-21 victory over Seattle, but he and the MCT file photo San Francisco coach Mike Singletary has picked Troy Smith to start Sunday against the Rams. San Francisco offense could muster only 192 total yards during last week’s 34-7 loss at San Diego. Alex Smith began this season 1-6 as San Francisco’s starter before separating his left shoulder during a Week 7 loss at Carolina. Selected by the 49ers with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft, Alex Smith is 18-31 as the team’s starter. The 49ers have become accustomed this season to change within their offensive unit. ‘‘We’ve been through everything you can go through as an offense really,’’ wide receiver Michael Crabtree said. ‘‘It’s diffi- cult, but you just have to take what they give you and keep going. I’m just trying to stay positive about the whole situation and be ready to play this game Sunday.’’ Reece’s conversion to fullback key for Raiders Oakland Raiders ALAMEDA (AP) — Oakland Raiders fullback Marcel Reece tends to brush off individual achievements with a wave of his hand. When the subject turns to his backfield partner, Darren McFadden, Reece puffs his chest out like a proud par- ent. It’s difficult to imagine where the Raiders would be without either player. While McFadden has run his way into the team’s record books with what is already the sixth-best season by a Raiders running back, Reece has also been impor- SAN FRANCISCO (5-9) at ST. LOUIS (6-8) tant to Oakland’s resur- gence. In addition to being McFadden’s lead blocker, Reece is also the Raiders’ fourth-leading receiver and is tied for the second-most touchdown catches on the team. Not bad for a player who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent wide receiver in 2008 and earned his spot on Oakland’s 53- man roster this year after having to beat out two other prospects in training camp. ‘‘It’s been fun for me, to say the least,’’ Reece said. ‘‘I came here as a receiver, woke up and I was a full- back. Three years later it’s just about embracing it. It’s an understatement to say INDIANAPOLIS (8-6) at OAKLAND (7-7) I’m more comfortable. I just feel like I’m coming into my own.’’ Much of the attention surrounding Oakland’s suc- cess this season has centered on McFadden. He’s the sec- ond player in franchise his- tory to have at least 1,100 yards rushing and 475 yards in receptions in the same season. Marcus Allen did it twice, in 1984 and ’85. Though he’s missed two games with a hamstring injury, McFadden is on pace to finish with the second- most prolific season by a Raiders running back. Reece, who has helped McFadden gain many of those yards, beams when he thinks about it. ‘‘It’s just been Darren’s Sunday, 10 a.m., Fox OPENING LINE — Rams by 2 1/2 RECORD VS. SPREAD — 49ers 6-8; Rams 9-5 SERIES RECORD — Rams lead 60-59-2 LAST MEETING — 49ers beat Rams 23-20 in OT, Nov. 14, 2010 LAST WEEK — Chargers beat 49ers 34-7; Chiefs beat Rams 27-13 PASS (22) PASS (25) PASS (21) PASS (18) 49ERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (26), RUSH (19), 49ERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (14), RUSH (7), RAMS OFFENSE — OVERALL (25), RUSH (20), RAMS DEFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (16), STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — 49ers have dom- inated series lately, winning five in row and nine of 11. ... One season after going 1-15, Rams can clinch NFC West and secure first playoff berth since 2004 with closing vic- tories over 49ers and Seahawks. 49ers need to win last two to have shot at ending seven-year playoff drought. ... Rams have scored only one TD each of last three games and have scored more than 20 points only twice all season. ... 49ers coach Mike Singletary is 5-0 against Rams. ... Rams next-to-last in NFL in red zone offense, scoring TD only 36 percent of time. ... 49ers haven’t lost at St. Louis since 2006. ... 49ers DE Justin Smith leads team with 5 1/2 sacks and will make 154th consecutive start. ... K Joe Nedney’s 29-yard field goal in OT was game-winner in last meeting. ... TE Vernon Davis has 19 TD catches last two seasons, most at his position. ... Rams’ Sam Bradford became third rookie QB in NFL history to pass for 3,000 yards and third in completions and attempts, but has no TD passes and five INTs the last three games. ... WR-PR Danny Amen- dola had 42-yard punt return last week and caught seven passes for 60 yards. ... RB Steven Jackson has four career 100-yard games vs. SF. ... MLB James Laurinaitis leads team with 112 tackles, including 12 last week. Sunday, 1:05 p.m., CBS OPENING LINE — Indianapolis by 2 1/2 RECORD VS. SPREAD — Indianapolis 7-6-1; Oak- land 7-7 SERIES RECORD — Raiders lead 8-5 LAST MEETING — Colts won at Raiders 21-14, Dec. 16, 2007 LAST WEEK — Colts beat Jaguars 34-24; Raiders beat Broncos 39-23 COLTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (32), PASS (1) COLTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (19), RUSH (28), PASS (11T) PASS (23) RAIDERS OFFENSE — OVERALL (8), RUSH (2), RAIDERS DEFENSE — OVERALL (11), RUSH (26), PASS (5) STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Colts 2-1 all- time in Oakland, winning in 1971 and 2007, and losing in 1995. ... Colts QB Peyton Manning can tie former Raiders OL Gene Upshaw for most consecutive starts to begin career with 207. ... Manning has thrown no INTs past two games after having 11 in previous three. ... Indianapolis has scored on 48 of 49 trips inside red zone, including 36 straight. ... Colts lead league with 36 drives of at least 10 plays. ... Indianapolis needs to win final two games to extend streak of 10-win seasons to nine. ... Colts WR Reg- gie Wayne needs one reception for third 100-catch season. ... With win, the Raiders will end string of seven straight losing seasons. ... Oakland has NFL best three games with at least 500 yards this season. ... RB Darren McFadden has 1,588 yards from scrimmage, tied for seventh most by Raider; his 1,112 yards rushing is sixth best. ... Raiders rookie WR Jacoby Ford has scored TDs on run, catch and kickoff return this season. ... Oakland 2-7 against teams outside AFC West. year,’’ Reece said with a grin. ‘‘It means more to me that I’m on the field with him. I’m proud of Darren. He’s been working hard and it shows.’’ Reece could say the same thing about himself. Cut by Miami after sign- ing with the team in the 2008 offseason, Reece joined Oakland later that year then made the transfor- mation from college receiv- er to NFL fullback. Though it took him two years to get fully comfortable with the position change, the former University of Washington standout has flourished this season. Reece’s 23 recep- tions are second in the NFL among fullbacks, a product of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson’s wide-open schemes that have helped the Raiders go from 31st in total offense in 2009 to No. 8 this season. In last week’s 39-23 win over Denver, Reece took a short pass from quarterback Jason Campbell and turned it into a 73-yard touchdown to turn a close game into a rout. It was the Raiders’ longest play from scrim- mage this season. Reece also had a 51-yard reception in Oakland’s 33-3 rout of Seattle on Oct. 31. Coupled with his block- ing for McFadden, Reece’s receptions have made him the subject of Pro Bowl con- versations. Scoreboard NFL Thursday’s result Pittsburgh 27, Carolina 3 BOWLS Thursday’s result Poinsettia Bowl At San Diego San Diego State 35, Navy 14 Today’s Bowl Hawaii Bowl At Honolulu Hawaii (10-3) vs. Tulsa (9-3), 5 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Thursday’s results Milwaukee at Sacramento, late Orlando 123, San Antonio 101 Miami at Phoenix, late Today’s games No games scheduled Wednesday’s late result Houston 97, L.A. Clippers 92 No. 15 Baylor vs TBD, TBD NHL Thursday’s results Phoenix at San Jose, late Boston 4, Atlanta 1 Calgary 3, Dallas 2, SO Florida 4, Buffalo 3 Minnesota 3, Colorado 1 Montreal 3, Carolina 2 N.Y. Islanders 5, New Jersey 1 Ottawa 2, Nashville 1 Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2, SO St. Louis 4, Detroit 3 Tampa Bay 4, N.Y. Rangers 3, SO Vancouver 7, Columbus 3 Edmonton at Los Angeles, late Today’s games No games scheduled NCAA BASKETBALL Thursday’s Top 25 results No. 2 Ohio State 92, Oakland, Mich. 63 No.10 Georgetown 86, No.16 Memphis 69 No.11 Kansas State 80, UMKC 64 Washington State 77, No.15 Baylor 71 No.17 Minnesota 85, South Dakota State 73 No. 19 Tennessee 66, Belmont 65 No.23 BYU 89, UTEP 68 Today’s Top 25 games