Former Gamecocks lead 49ers to victory

San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula not only rested his beleaguered offensive starters in Thursday’s exhibition finale, some second stringers, like quarterback Blaine Gabbert, got the night off.

The other backups were more than happy to show what they can do.

On the third play of the game, No. 3 quarterback Dylan Thompson connected with former South Carolina teammate Bruce Ellington on a short pass. Ellington, a wide receiver who dealt with a hamstring injury for most of training camp, eased concerns about his health and the 49ers’ depth at the position by blowing past the San Diego Chargers’ secondary for a 70-yard score.

Thompson added a 16-yard touchdown toss to tight end Busta Anderson, another former Gamecock, in the fourth quarter, and the 49ers beat the Chargers 14-12.

Ellington, Quinton Patton, DeAndrew White and Jerome Simpson — a Coastal Carolina product — have been competing for the role of No. 3 wide receiver. Simpson will serve a six-game suspension to start the season.

Ellington led all receivers with three catches for 86 yards.

Thompson, undrafted out of South Carolina, had only 52 passing yards in the first three games but finished with 225 yards. His first touchdown was only the second of the exhibition season for the 49ers’ offense.

Thompson also provided a Chargers first-half touchdown when his pass to a well-covered White was intercepted by cornerback Richard Crawford and returned 29 yards for a touchdown.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 10:10 AM.