Gore aims to become 49ers' all-time leading rusher

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Frank Gore is closing in on San Francisco's rushing record. He's hoping it will be one small part of a big celebration for the 49ers on Sunday.

Gore needs 22 yards against the St. Louis Rams to become San Francisco's all-time leading rusher. The two-time Pro Bowler ranks sixth among the NFL's leading rushers this year with 909 yards, averaging 82.6 per game.

The seventh-year veteran can reach another milestone Sunday that he has been pursuing since joining the 49ers: His first playoff berth. San Francisco can end an eight-year playoff drought and clinch its first NFC West title since 2002 with a victory.

"I've been here for seven years, and a lot of us in this locker room have been here a while and been through tough times here," Gore said Friday. "The goal for us is to make the playoffs, and this is the closest we've ever been. The big picture is us winning the game. I would be real happy if we can do it as a team and I can do it as an individual getting the record."

Hall of Fame running back Joe Perry has been San Francisco's rushing leader since he retired in 1963 with 7,344 yards for the 49ers. Perry died April 25 at age 84.

Gore established himself as a possible challenger to Perry's standard after the 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2005 draft. Despite starting just one game that year, Gore became the first rookie in 15 seasons to lead the Niners in rushing.

He has led San Francisco in rushing every season since, and his running style and production haven't changed much since he got started.

"The thing with Frank is, he's been the same running back," said offensive lineman Adam Snyder, who also joined the 49ers as a third-round pick in 2005. "He's great at hitting the line of scrimmage real hard. All I have to do is lock up my guy and get him to the second level. He's been like that for seven years."

Along the way, Gore has collected all kinds of records as the top offensive weapon for San Francisco teams that never finished with a winning record before the 49ers started 9-2 this season.

Gore led the NFC with a franchise-record 1,695 yards rushing in 2006, the first of his franchise-record four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Gore had a team-best five consecutive 100-yard rushing games earlier this season, extending his franchise record to 29. He also owns the top two single-game rushing performances in team history.

Gore hardly is on the downside of his career as he approaches a historic benchmark for a franchise known for producing prolific offensive performers. He again is the key offensive force for a team off to its best start since 1997.

"Frank's a stud," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "We love Frank. He never changes. Every day he comes in, he's all about football, all about the team. He likes it rough. He likes to run up in there and break tackles and run through tackles. He's got great vision, quickness. He's probably aware of (the record) in the back of his mind, but I think he is more focused on the real task, which is finding a way to beat the Rams."

Despite his glowing rushing numbers, Gore has persevered through years of disappointments and injuries to finally play for a winner. He was on his way to a fifth consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season last year before a fractured hip ended his season after 11 games.

Gore said Sunday's game can make it all worth it. Owning another team record would be nice. A win and playoff berth would be even better.

"That would be real big," Gore said. "It would be a blessing to do it in front of our fans who have been here with us and behind us. We can get there and we can do it this Sunday, and I'll celebrate a little if we do."