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Hester sparks Bears past Chiefs

Sep 17, 2007 - 1:07 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Devin Hester is back to being special.

Hester returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown as the Chicago Bears posted a 20-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

As a rookie last season, Hester set an NFL record with six returns for touchdowns. The speedster was held in check in last week's loss at San Diego.

But the speedster made his presence felt against the Chiefs, racing to the end zone in the second quarter to give the Bears a 14-0 lead.

"I feel everytime I get my hands on the ball it's a touchdown," Hester said.

Hester generated some additional magic with a 31-yard punt return early in the third quarter. That led to Robbie Gould's 38-yard field goal.

He also had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown nullified by a holding call on Rod Wilson.

"All the different groups of special teams played well," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "Of course with the return game, Hester has a chance to break it everytime he touches the ball."

The Bears (1-1) also received workmanlike performances from Rex Grossman and Cedric Benson, who both were criticized following the opener.

Grossman completed five of his first seven passes, capping a 15-play, 79-yard drive with a two-yard TD toss to tackle-eligible John St. Clair. Benson carried eight times for 41 yards on the drive that lasted 8:01.

"Great thrill, unbelieveable," St. Clair said. "Any time a lineman scores a touchdown it's a celebration for all the linemen."

Grossman finished a respectable 20-of-34 for 160 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.

One of Grossman's picks led to Dave Rayner's 45-yard field goal in the third quarter which pulled the Chiefs within 20-10.

"We didn't play very well in the second half," Grossman said. "The first half we got into a good rhythm, did some good things, but we were unable to establish a rhythm in the 2nd half."

Benson silenced his critics, rushing for 101 yards on 24 carries. "It meant a lot, early in the season to finally get into your groove" Benson said. "To get a good game, get a 100 yards, get it out of the way, I hope to look to keep those numbers up."

After making the playoffs last season, Kansas City is off to an 0-2 start.

"The difference was their special teams gave them ten points," Chief coach Herm Edwards said. "One with the big return and one when they pinned us back and got the field goal."

A bright spot for the Chiefs was a four-play, 83-yard drive in the final minute of the first half. Huard found rookie Dwayne Bowe for a 16-yard TD to cap the march. The ball was intended for Tony Gonzalez, but he stepped in front to make the play.

"I just wanted to make the play," Bowe said. "It was a little mistake that paid off."

Huard completed 19-of-28 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown with an interception.

"We had some good drives, but we hurt ourselves with penalties," Huard said.

Trailing 20-10, the Chiefs nearly pulled closer in the fourth quarter. But a a 35-yard TD pass from Huard to Jeff Webb was called back on an illegal shift call.

Instead they settled for a 48 yard field goal attempt by Rayner that was blocked by defensive lineman Israel Idonije.

The Bears held Larry Johnson in check, limiting him to 55 yards rushing on 16 carries.

"We moved the ball against a pretty good defense at times, which is good," Edwards said. "So now we have to build upon that, lick our wounds, go home and try to get a home win."