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Grossman sharp in leading Bears over 49ers

Aug 26, 2007 - 3:30 AM By Scot Marcotte PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) - Chicago Bears Coach Lovie Smith hoped to give quarterback Rex Grossman three quarters against the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn't necessary.

Grossman was nearly flawless in the first half, completing 13-of-20 passes for 211 yards, two touchdowns and one interception to guide the Bears to a 31-28 preseason victory over the 49ers.

Grossman's first-half performance was good enough to encourage Smith to him in the second half.

The 31 points scored in the first half were all the Bears needed to hold off the 49ers, who made it look respectable with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Grossman started the game by engineering a six-play, 60-yard drive, highlighted by a 45-yard pass to Bernard Berrian on the first play. Bears running back Cedric Benson capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Bears fans held their collective breath when playmaker Devin Hester, starting for wideout Muhsin Muhammad, went down with a shoulder injury early in the Bears' second drive.

Hester was held out for the remainder of the game, though Smith said, "He'll be fine."

On the same drive, Grossman drew boos by fumbling a snap that he eventually recovered. The bobble drew reminders of his three fumbled exchanges the previous week against the Indianapolis Colts.

Meanwhile, the 49ers didn't have much opportunity to see their offense in the first half. The Bears controlled the ball for nearly 20 minutes, allowing the 49ers only 17 offensive plays and 44 total net yards.

San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith managed only 10 yards passing on two completions, finishing 4-of-8 for 47 yards.

The 49ers took advantage of Grossman's interception by ex-Bear Walt Harris for a 52-yard touchdown, along with a Drisan James' fumbled kick return at the Chicago 6-yard line to set up another touchdown.

San Francisco made it a game with two second-half touchdown throws by Trent Dilfer - one to Zachary Hilton and the other to Jason Hill.