Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck (12) fumbles the ball as he is sacked by Miami Dolphins' Derrick Shelby during the first half an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013, in Indianapolis. The Colts recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
SAN FRANCISCO — Andrew Luck kept San Francisco’s prime-time loss at Seattle in the background once his workday ended disappointingly last Sunday in Indianapolis.
The Colts quarterback knows plenty well what to expect from his old college coach, Jim Harbaugh, and a 49ers staff featuring several former Stanford coaches.
Luck and Harbaugh face off for the first time today at Candlestick Park, each trying to get his 1-1 team back on track.
“It’s going to be tough. They obviously got to the Super Bowl last year,” Luck said. “I have a lot of respect for coach Harbaugh in my years at Stanford with him and coach (Vic) Fangio and the rest of the Stanford guys on their staff. They’re a premier defense. It’s going to be a great challenge but I think we’re up for it. It’ll be a fun week of work.”
For Harbaugh, facing Luck might have a similar feel to coaching against his brother in the Super Bowl. Luck helped Harbaugh turn around Stanford’s program and propel him into the NFL coaching ranks.
“There’s not a lot of weaknesses that he has,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going to have to be very sound, very good. He’s a top-notch quarterback in the NFL. Hopefully we’ll be better for it as we play these top guys.”
REUNION TIME: Colts defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois returns to face San Francisco after helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl last season.
Indianapolis tight end Coby Fleener, another former Stanford star, will be reunited with his college coaching staff, just like Luck.
Francois showed up for work Monday and went looking for Luck. He will offer any insight he can to help the offense, knowing Harbaugh loves to mix up things and pull out new wrinkles from that thick 49ers playbook.
“If nobody else asks me something, I said I know it’s got to be Andrew Luck,” Francois said. “I can give him some things, but I hope he don’t ask for the signals because I’m on the front seven, I don’t know nothing behind me. But I’m going to just help my offense the best I can, help my coaches to the knowledge of what I did, offense and defense-wise.”
49ers tight end Vernon Davis will face cornerback brother Vontae for the first time — if big brother Vernon’s tender hamstring allows it, that is.
KAEPERNICK BOUNCING BACK: A week after Colin Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Green Bay, he produced his worst performance as a pro in a 29-3 loss at division rival Seattle. Kaepernick went 13 for 28 for 127 yards with three interceptions and was sacked three times.
How he bounces back will be a key factor considering he had very little failure in a breakthrough 2012 and impressive postseason run.
“He probably played the best; most productive person we had on offense,” Harbaugh said. “He did what he could.”
THE GORE FACTOR: Frank Gore wants to get on track, and now.
The franchise rushing leader has 30 carries for 60 yards in two games, with his longest gain for 8 yards. He had nine carries for 16 yards at Seattle.
An offensive line so dependable last year has struggled, while defenses have focused on stopping the run.
“We have to find a way, we have to get it done,” Gore said.
Indy wants to quickly incorporate new RB Trent Richardson into the offense.
