Smith hooked up with new No. 1 target Darrell Jackson on the team's opening drive and then hit No. 2 receiver Arnaz Battle with an even more impressive throw on the second drive. More importantly, both of the Smith-led drives in the first quarter ended in scores — a field goal and a touchdown — in a game Denver won, 17-13, when a last-minute drive by the 49ers' reserves fell short.

"I felt a lot more comfortable than I have ever played," said Smith, who was 4 of 5 for 58 yards. "Knowing what is happening and reading defenses ... Everything is really slowing down. I felt really comfortable about that."

In last year's exhibition opener, then-offensive coordinator Norv Turner tried to build the young quarterback's confidence by playing to his strengths rolling him out of the pocket for 10- and 12-yard passes.

New offensive coordinator Jim Hostler made things a little more challenging yesterday by keeping Smith in the pocket and calling an up-tempo game.

He responded by hitting Jackson, whom the team traded for in April, on an 18-yard pass in front of Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey that put the 49eers on the Denver 21-yard line. Smith, however, was sacked by former 49er John Engelberger on first down and also was hit as he threw on third down, forcing San Francisco to settle for a 37-yard field goal by Joe Nedney.

The 49ers got a boost on their second drive when running back Maurice Hicks, filling in for injured starter Frank Gore, broke off a 20-yard run to the Broncos' 30-yard line.

Two plays later, Smith dropped back and zipped a 26-yard strike in traffic to a sliding Battle at the 1-yard line. Michael Robinson plowed into the end zone off left guard Larry Allen to give the 49ers a 10-7 lead.

On defense, new addition Tully Banta-Cain was effective rushing off the edge, drawing a holding penalty on one play and crashing into the passer on another.

But the 49ers allowed the Broncos to march 67 yards on their opening drive, which ended with Travis Henry's 1-yard touchdown run. Henry and starting quarterback Jay Cutler played only one series for Denver.

"The first group defense had too many missed tackles," coach Mike Nolan said, "and that cost them on that first drive."

Though the 49ers forced a punt on Denver's second possession, they were back on their heels on the third after Denver returned a kickoff 58 yards to the San Francisco 38-yard line. That drive ended with backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey hitting fullback Troy Fleming on an easy 3-yard touchdown pass.

As for individual efforts, second-year receiver Brandon Williams looked good in the second half, both as a return man and as a receiver.

Williams finished the evening with three catches for 31 yards. He also averaged 28.0 yards on three kick returns.

"Being a kick returner or a punter is fine," said Williams, who did not have a reception last season. "But I think I can be a pretty good receiver in this league."