"With 97 seconds to go in Saturday's game, things looked exceedingly grim for the 49ers.

The Saints had just scored the go-ahead touchdown to make the score 32-29. The crowd sat in stunned silence. And Vernon Davis sat alone on the bench, staring at the field with an exceedingly grim look of his own.

Up walked Aldon Smith, winded and sweating, having just come off the field. "We got time, baby!" the rookie defensive end barked at Davis. "We've got enough time!"

Davis barely even acknowledged the young fella. He just kept his steely stare on the field.

Well, it turns out the rookie was right. The 49ers had more than enough time.

It only took 88 seconds for Alex Smith to find Davis crossing toward the goal line on a post pattern that will live forever.

The big tight end caught the ball, absorbed a punishing hit and fell into history.

"I knew right away I had to step up," said Davis, when asked what was going through his mind after the Saints pulled ahead. "When a big-time game is on the line, you have to step up."

That's putting it lightly.

Davis stepped up, stepped out and stepped over the threshold of greatness Saturday, hauling in seven balls for 180 yards and two touchdowns. His catches also included a big-time grab in the fourth quarter that set up his game-winning touchdown."