Nov. 24--When the measuring chain extended beyond the ball, and the Bears' 21-13 win over the Buccaneers was secured, Demontre Hurst sprinted down the field toward nowhere in particular. He high-stepped and flailed, exuberance on full display.
A dominant second half by the Bears' defense ended with a fourth-and-1 stand that validated an impact performance by several inexperienced players. Hurst and fellow youngsters David Bass and Christian Jones, to name a few, helped keep the season alive. In the process, they provided evidence of some budding talent behind the Bears' defensive woes.
"The older guys, our leaders, are making a big emphasis on us that they need us to step up and play and give what we got," Hurst said. "We're getting the sense that it's very important to us, as well."
The defense helped the Bears (5-6) overcome another sloppy performance by the offense. The Bears scored 14 points off of four takeaways, the most turnovers the Bears have forced since Week 2.
Hurst forced a fumble and had several effective blitzes from his slot cornerback position. Bass sacked Josh McCown and forced a fumble, which Jones recovered -- the first of three third-quarter takeaways that helped the Bears overcome a 10-0 halftime deficit.
Second-year defensive end Cornelius Washington had a sack. And fourth-year defensive tackle Stephen Paea --the youngest starter on the defensive line -- had two sacks, a forced fumble and pushed the pocked all game.
"We got a lot of talented, skilled young guys, and they come to work every day and work to get better," said Bass, a second-year defensive end. "They're in there watching film, lifting weights, doing extra. On the field, they're out there early and they're leaving late. That's a great upside for our team."
Hurst first flashed in the second quarter. The Buccaneers had third-and-6 from their 6-yard line, and Hurst blitzed from the slot. McCown escaped the pocket to the right, but Hurst ran him down from behind and forced a punt.
This was the second straight game in which coaches have allowed him to blitz out of the slot.
"I just feel good that they got the confidence in me," Hurst said.
After halftime, Bass provided a much-needed spark off the bench as part of the defensive line rotation. When McCown extended a second-and-8 passing play by escaping the pocket to the left, Bass kept his motor running after failing to initially win his block. He tackled McCown from behind and jarred the ball loose.
Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker lauded Bass last week for improving his hand technique as a pass rusher and his preparation in developing a plan for rushing the passer.
"We have great coaching," Bass said. "They put a lot of tools in our toolbox. We work on that week in and week out, and then it comes down to film and trying to find out their weaknesses and try to target their weakness."
The fumble Bass forced rolled near the sideline as Jones approached it.
"I was thinking scoop and score, but I was hearing footsteps behind me, so I just fell on it," the undrafted rookie said. "I turned around and saw my teammates. I was like, 'Aw, dang! The end zone was right there!' "
It was a smart play. Jones knew his proximity to the sideline and took into consideration the wet conditions. Bobbling it out of bounds would have enabled the Buccaneers to retain possession. Instead, running back Matt Forte scored on a 13-yard touchdown run on the next play.
The Bears never relinquished that lead, partly because Hurst stripped receiver Vincent Jackson at the Bears' 8-yard line later in the quarter.
On a 24-yard reception, Hurst struck after safety Chris Conte wrapped Jackson up. He punched at the ball with his right hand, got his arm between the ball and Jackson's body, and ripped it out.
"It's just one of them Bear things," Hurst said with a smile.
What a fitting comment after Lovie Smith's return to Soldier Field. The youngsters' ball-hawking Sunday would have made the former Bears coach proud if he weren't on the visitors' sideline.
The defense's reputation has wilted since Smith's departure. But several young players on Sunday showed their determination -- and some ability -- to eventually restore it.
"That's the Bears defense that we want to put out there," Bass said.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
Twitter @Rich_Campbell
