Meanwhile, Former Tulane running back Matt Forte had 70 yards rushing and 90 receiving in the Bears' 21-14 loss at Soldier Field. Those numbers are the second most in Bears postseason history.
"I don't think you can use Matt Forte too much," said Bears coach Lovie Smith. "Our plan was to keep him involved and get him more involved with everything."
Forte's 70 yards rushing came on 17 carries, and he is the first player in Bears history to have 50-plus yards rushing and 50-plus yards receiving in multiple postseason games. In the divisional playoff game against the Seahawks, Forte has 80 yards rushing and 54 receiving.
In his third NFL season, Forte was hoping to make his first Super Bowl. appearance.
"We have to sit down and look back on what we did," said Forte. "We got a lot of experience this season, a lot of young guys like myself who haven't been to the playoffs (previously). We're in the championship game and got a lot of experience."
With quarterback Jay Cutler missing most of the second half with a knee injury, and third-stringer Caleb Hanie taking over for an ineffective Todd Collins, Forte provided the most consistent threat for the Bears.
Forte, who has seen Cutler take numerous hard hits throughout the season, didn't question the quarterback's exit from the game.
"It's different when you get your knee hurt," said Forte. "He needs his legs to drop back, He tried it out, he came back out there (in he second half) and it just wasn't working for him."
Forte, from Slidell, attended Tulane because that was the only major-college school that offered him a scholarship.
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Bayoubuzz Calendar of Events:
GNO Inc (NORLI) At the Hornets Game
Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation (LWCC) Webinars
Vince Vance's Annual 39th Birthday Bash
EngageNOLA's Meet Chief Serpas 16th Annual Symposium: “Identity, History, Legacy: Free People of Color in Louisiana
Audubon Charter School "Sweetheart" Event
