Ted Robinson could not contain himself. Candlestick Park rocked last Saturday, and the veteran broadcaster rolled with it as the San Francisco 49ers sent the New Orleans Saints marching home.

Four touchdowns in a little more than 4 minutes can do that to a broadcaster who has called his share of memorable sporting events. Last Saturday’s game already ranks near the top of his list.

“It was the best football game I’ve ever had the opportunity to broadcast,” Robinson told the Insider earlier this week. “There was an incredible wave of emotion. It’s my job to reflect the moment.”

Robinson’s voice reflected the excitement in the stadium as the 49ers and Saints traded touchdowns in the final 4 minutes. The fans went crazy, and Robinson could not help but join the crowd.

“It was a special game,” he explained, “and I wanted the 49ers to win.”

Alex Smith engineered the victory by leading the 49ers on an 85-yard drive that took all of 63 seconds. His 9-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with 9 seconds left gave the 49ers a 36-32 win.

After defeating one Super Bowl MVP in Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Smith encounters another Sunday when the 49ers face Eli Manning and the New York Giants in the NFC championship game.

Who would have expected Smith to prevail in a shootout with Brees? Most Bay Area fans lost faith in Smith last season as the 49ers went from favorites to win the NFC West to finishing 6-10.

“There was great hope last year, but it turned out to be a total disappointment,” Robinson said. “There wasn’t as much hope this year because so much was unknown. It’s been an interesting ride.”

This season has been different, however, and the resurgence began when Jim Harbaugh was hired as head coach. Harbaugh’s first order of business was committing to Smith as his quarterback.

As Robinson pointed out, 49ers quarterbacks are measured by their ability to produce in the clutch. Smith did just that, winning his first playoff start in seven seasons and repaying Harbaugh’s faith.

“This win would have never happened in Week 1,” Robinson said. “This was Alex’s first chance to do it.”

Harbaugh has been hailed for restoring the 49ers, and Robinson said all the acclaim is well-deserved.

“Jim has changed the culture in a very short time. I didn’t know it would happen this fast,” Robinson said.  “This wasn’t a bad football team, but there is a new direction and belief imparted by Jim.”

Harbaugh did not do it alone, however. His assistants have contributed to the 49ers’ 14-3 record.

“That’s the real untold story,” Robinson said. “The glory all goes to the head guy, but Jim doesn’t take it all.”

This is Robinson’s third season as the voice of the 49ers on KNBR 680-AM. He was hired after Joe Starkey hung up his headset and “it took me about three seconds to think about” accepting the job.

Robinson’s partner in the first two seasons was former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer. Now it is ex-49ers cornerback Eric Davis, who has had to learn the tempo of Robinson’s play-by-play calls.

 “(Davis) has encountered the learning curve,” Robinson said. “He has learned he has to get in and out. He can’t talk over the play. He has to say what would took him five sentences and say it in one.”

Davis has had ample time to work on keeping his remarks short and sweet. The 49ers have four preseason games, 16 regular-season contests and a memorable playoff victory under their belts.

Robinson is usually calling college basketball games in late January. He has worked just two thus far because of all his football duties. And the 49ers’ season could continue another two weeks.

A trip to Super Bowl XLVI would beat college basketball any day of the week.