SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Jeff Garcia passed for two touchdowns to get the Dennis Erickson era off to a rousing start Sunday as San Francisco rolled to a 49-7 rout of Chicago.
Erickson mas making his return to the NFL, replacing Steve Mariucci as coach.
The Forty Niners built a 33-7 lead at the half. They outgained the Bears, 391-127 and rolled up a 23-8 advantage in first downs.
Garcia, who battled a bulging disc in his back during training camp, had TD passes of 12 yards to running back Garrison Hearst and 16 yards to Tai Streets in the opening half. He also ran three yards for a score in the second quarter.
But it was a bad beginning for Kordell Stewart, the Bears' new quarterback. He completed just 14-of-34 passes for 95 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions and he also lost a fumble.
