Oct. 21, 1963 - The 49ers upset the Chicago Bears, 20-14, yesterday before 35,837 shocked and delighted fans at San Francisco’s Kezar Stadium. Tommy Davis’s two field goals provided the margin of victory. Lamar McHan, who was cut by the Baltimore Colts three weeks ago, directed the Niners on sustained scoring drives of 59, 78, and 84 yards during the first half through the vaunted Chicago defense. Then the 49ers came through with some good aerial defense during the final four minutes of play as Kermit Alexander and Ed Pine intercepted passes thrown by Rudy Bukich. The Bears still lead the Western Conference with a 5-1 record. The 49ers posted their first victory of the season after dropping five games. The 49ers gained a 17-0 advantage while playing the Bears off their feet in the first half. Jim Vollenweider smashed over from the 1-yard line for the first San Francisco touchdown, which was set up when J.D. Smith raced up the middle 23 yards to the Bear 10. Less than 3 minutes later, Davis clicked on his first field goal of the day. Then, with 1:31 left in the half, McHan passed to Gary Knafelc from 7 yards out for a touchdown to cap an 84-yard march. The difference between the 49ers’ performance yesterday and in previous weeks was “timing and blocking,” coach Jack Christiansen said. “That and the fact that the kids finally decided they could play football. Somebody has said that this game is 75% desire, and we had it. Our offensive line was opening holes, and even when they didn’t, J.D. Smith, Don Lisbon, and Jim Vollenweider were busting through there. And you’ve got to say that holding a team like the Bears to 14 points speaks pretty well for our defensive unit, too.” “We met an aroused team today,” said Chicago coach George Halas. “They certainly played a great game — offensively and defensively. I think they got a ball club. I said that originally. We were flat.” He made no specific criticisms of his team, refused to single out any Bears for commendation. “I don’t do that when we win,” he said, “so I’m not going to do it today.” Asked whether he thinks the 49ers can sustain the fine play they produced yesterday, Halas said: “I don’t see why not. They did a good job against us. It certainly proves that old cliché — on any given Sunday, anybody could beat anybody.”
