Erickson Has a Great Time

As Ahmed Plummer raced downfield for his game-breaking interception return, a white-haired man with a headset ran right along with him.

Dennis Erickson promised more aggression and enthusiasm when he took charge of the San Francisco 49ers. The new coach backed up those words with a joyful sideline sprint that was one of countless high points in his 49-7 debut victory Sunday over the bumbling Chicago Bears.

Erickson admitted to a serious case of butterflies before the game, but his team showed no nerves while flattening the Bears for their biggest victory since 1989.

San Francisco forced five turnovers, outgained Chicago 391 yards to 127 and filled a highlight reel with big plays on offense, defense and special teams. The 49ers scored 23 points during an impressive rally in the final 6:01 of the first half, turning it into a blowout.

“To be honest, you can’t ask for a better start,” Erickson said. “We blitzed a lot, we came after them ... and everybody did their job. It was a great team effort.”

Jeff Garcia passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns, and Garrison Hearst caught a touchdown pass and rushed for another score. Plummer returned an interception 68 yards for a score, Tai Streets had a scoring catch, Terrell Owens caught seven passes for 112 yards and Jeff Chandler kicked five field goals.

It was the Bears’ worst defeat since a 47-0 loss at Houston on Nov. 6, 1977. Chicago floundered at every level in quarterback Kordell Stewart’s first game since leaving Pittsburgh as a free agent.

“I’m embarrassed,” linebacker Brian Urlacher said. “That was the worst game we’ve played since I’ve been here. When it goes bad, it goes bad. We just didn’t play well.”