OWINGS MILLS – No NFL teams thought that Jameel McClain or Albert McClellan were worthy of investing a draft pick in them after respectful collegiate careers.

The Baltimore Ravens’ faith in the two former undrafted free agents proved justified Thursday night, though, as they capably stood in for injured All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis and inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.

McClain and McClellan combined for a dozen tackles during the Ravens’ 16-6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers as they provided a run-stuffing presence to shut down star running back Frank Gore.

“I know it was big shoes to fill with Ray out, but I wasn’t nervous,” said McClellan, who started his first NFL game with Lewis sidelined with a toe injury for the second consecutive game. “It was a dream come true. I felt good. I just didn’t want to be too fast to the ball. I felt like I played really good.”

“Ray told me what he saw on film. He’s more experienced at watching film and picking up tendencies. He let me know what he saw and to be patience. Patience is a virtue. It was a huge night, another milestone personally.”

With Gore gaining a season-low 39 yards on 14 carries, it forced beleaguered quarterback Alex Smith to attempt to do more than manage the game. And he collapsed under the relentless pressure of the Ravens’ front seven, sacked a franchise-record nine times.

Special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo filled in, primarily operating on third downs and contributed four tackles on defense.

The Ravens lined up McClain at the Mike or middle linebacker, where Lewis normally runs the show.

And McClellan shifted over to McClain’s usual spot at Will or weakside inside linebacker since it would have been nearly impossible for McClellan to call the defensive signals.

“It made it a lot easier for me communication-wise,” said McClellan, a former Marshall University standout. “I’m kind of mad that I was close to getting a sack and I missed that opportunity. I missed a tackle for a loss. I was excited. I was hustling out there.”

For the most part, the Ravens’ defense has held together in Lewis’ absence.

They’re undefeated in both games he’s missed and rebounded from an inconsistent game against the Cincinnati Bengals by allowing only 170 yards of total offense Thursday, suffocating the 49ers’ offense.

“Exactly, we all can play ball, and that’s what we’re showing,” McClain said. “Through this time off, we get Ray back and a lot of people have seen the growth in the linebackers, and have seen that we can step it up too. Now that we get Ray and Dannell back, it’s going to get dangerous.”

Ellerbe started at middle linebacker against the Bengals, but missed the 49ers game with hamstring and groin injuries.

It was McClellan’s first game every playing inside linebacker having lined up on special teams previously and playing defensive end and outside linebacker at Marshall.

And this was a time when McClain was needed to lead the defense in terms or calling signals and keeping things organized.

“It’s great that Jameel could step up like that,” defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said. “If Ray Lewis ever steps out like that again, we know what we’re going to get out of McClain.”

One game after the Ravens had communication issues in the secondary, McClain improved in terms of getting the calls to safeties Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard.

McClain had the microphone in his helmet to get signals from defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.

“Jameel’s been very important,” Pollard said. “He’s talking, he’s communicating. I think last game it was a communication thing with us, and just getting that thing out, but we were vocal this week, as far as getting ready for this game on a short week, and I thought we did a really good job.

“He can’t slack because we need him. He has the mike in his ear, the earpiece in his ear, so he has to be the mike for us. He’s stepping into some big shoes, but he’s ready and he’s doing a great job.”

McClain tied Pollard for the team lead with eight tackles.

“His leadership in the huddle has been excellent,” defensive end Cory Redding said. “It’s almost like Ray is still out there. He’s seen Ray do it so much that he just took it into his own and made the defense his own.

“It’s awesome to Jameel go out there and play really good football and take control of the defense, give us the calls, make all the right checks and just get us all lined up so that we can play good team defense.”

The Ravens are hoping that Lewis and Ellerbe will be able to return in time for their Dec. 4 game at the Cleveland Browns.

If they’re out again, though, the defense has confidence in his replacements.

“That’s the thing about this league, you have to be a pro at all times,” Pollard said. “When your name is called, you have to be ready to step up. We miss Ray, but the game isn’t going to wait for him to heal up.

“The game isn’t going to wait for any player to heal up. The game must go on, and we did a great job tonight and we’re excited. We’re hoping and praying that Ray has a speedy recovery, we know what kind of player he is, but we’ve got to be ready to go.”