Bears, Jeremy Langford run away with win vs Colts

Their defense was better and rookie Jeremy Langford ran away with the game, as the Bears claimed their second preseason contest in as many tries Saturday by beating the host Colts, 23-11.

Quarterback Jay Cutler completed 8 of 9 passes for 69 yards and was sacked once, but his most memorable play didn’t count. He lowered his head at the goal line and trucked cornerback Greg Toler. Cutler’s helmet came off and his teammates celebrated a score, only to watch it be taken away by Kyle Long’s holding penalty.

His counterpart, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck led his team to a nine-play, 89-yard touchdown drive, converting a two-pointer in the second quarter and spending the rest of the time on the sideline.

Pernell McPhee was the Bears’ most relentless defensive starter, sacking Luck — against whom the Bears practiced twice this week — and totaling four tackles.

An Adam Vinatieri field goal as time expired in the first half gave the Colts an 11-9 lead against the Bears, whose points during the first two quarters consisted of three Robbie Gould field goals.

The Bears scored two third-quarter touchdowns, however. Josh Bellamy’s 12-yard pass from Jimmy Clausen capped a drive highlighted by the rookie Langford’s 48-yard run.

Five plays after Sam Acho sacked Matt Hasselbeck and Eddie Goldman recovered the fumble, Langford scored on a 2-yard run. He finished with 80 yards on nine carries.

The Bears’ first-team battles provided little clarification: receiver Marquess Wilson had two catches for 18 yards before suffering a hamstring injury. Charles Leno started in place of right tackle Jordan Mills, but was flagged for an illegal hands to face call in the first quarter.

Matt Forte made his first appearance in a preseason game, carrying eight times for 24 yards and catching one pass for 12. Outside linebackers Lamarr Houston and Willie Young played for the first time in a game since surgery last year.