NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Frank Gore never lost hope.

Not through all the injuries, all the losing early in his career.

That perseverance finally paid off this season for the San Francisco running back.

The 29-year-old Gore helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995, a triumph that is especially sweet given all he's been through. One of his teammates, fullback Bruce Miller, says he can see the satisfaction in Gore's eyes as the team prepares to face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Ravens have their own threat out of the backfield. Like Gore, Baltimore's Ray Rice has been overshadowed by more prominent teammates on the run to the Big Easy. But both players have the potential to take control of the title game with their contrasting styles.