49ers' Frank Gore warms to the pistol 49ers

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When it comes to offenses, Frank Gore has old-fashioned sensibilities.

So the 49ers' running back wasn't captivated by the new-wave pistol formation when he first saw a college team using the attack. A quarterback four yards behind center with a running back three yards behind him?

A part of pro-style offenses since his days at the University of Miami, the eight-year veteran thought it belonged in the arena leagues.

"I just felt like that's not real football at first," Gore said.

Gore, however, has since come around on the pistol, which the 49ers have used plenty since Colin Kaepernick became their starting quarterback in mid-November. In last week's 45-31 divisional-playoff win over Green Bay, Kaepernick's 181 rushing yards hogged all the headlines, but Gore quietly collected 119 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.

With the Packers forced to account for Kaepernick, who had 107 rushing yards at halftime, Gore gained 75 yards on 13 carries in the final two quarters. Next up is the NFC Championship Game on Sunday in the Georgia Dome. Gore can envision a scenario where the Falcons focus on Kaepernick, allowing the 49ers' all-time rushing leader to roam free against the NFL's 21st-ranked run defense.

"Kaepernick did a great job last week," Gore said. "He's big, he's strong, he's fast, and they are going to have to look out for him. So hopefully they keep looking out for him and 21 (Gore's number) will keep getting the ball and I just do what he did last week."

Gore has acknowledged he needed time to adjust to the pistol and the read-option plays the 49ers often run from the formation. Since he doesn't know if he'll take a read-option handoff - or if Kaepernick will keep it - he can't hit holes with his customary abandon.

But Gore has long been viewed as a football savant. When he was the 49ers' head coach, Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan used to call Gore to get his evaluations on teammates and players around the league. Two years ago, Trent Baalke and Gore watched film of college running backs, with the 49ers' general manager soliciting his opinions.

Frank Gore enjoys the final moments of Saturday's playoff win over Green Bay. Frank Gore enjoys the final moments of Saturday's playoff win over Green Bay. Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 49ers' Frank Gore warms to the pistol 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

On Thursday, offensive coordinator Greg Roman said it didn't take Gore long to adjust to the read-option.

"He's one of the most gifted, knowledgeable and intelligent football players that I've been around, really at any position," Roman said. "He just has a feel and an understanding for the game. It's funny, when you install something or put something new in, he can just see it."

Kaepernick arrived in the NFL adept at read-option fakes after running the pistol for four seasons at Nevada. Over the past two months, Gore has steadily established a backfield chemistry with the second-year quarterback.

In fact, right guard Alex Boone says he is sometimes slow to figure out exactly who is carrying the football.

"I remember the last game, Frank came right here (close to Boone) and I thought he had the ball, so I was chasing him," Boone said. "And then the crowd started going nuts. I thought they were going nuts for him, and here was Kaep running down the sideline. And I was like, 'Who's got the ball?' I'm just running downfield, trying to make myself look good."

Using a heavy dose of the pistol, the 49ers' running game bordered on great last week. San Francisco's 323 yards were the fifth-most in NFL postseason history and helped the 49ers creep closer to their first Super Bowl berth in 18 years.

A problem with the pistol? The 49ers' old-fashioned running back is changing with the times.

"I didn't like it at first, but it's working for us," Gore said. "So if it gets us to the Super Bowl, I'm with it."