CHICAGO – Devin Hester hoped for multiple opportunities to find the end zone Sunday.

But every time the Carolina Panthers lined up for a kickoff, they wanted no part of NFL history. Panthers kicker Justin Medlock bounced a series of squib kicks past midfield, which gave the Bears’ good field position but kept the ball out of Hester’s hands.

Hester seemed frustrated by the Panthers’ strategy after the game. He watched as teammates Armando Allen, Earl Bennett, Kyle Adams, Craig Steltz, Eric Weems and Corey Wootton each returned short kicks for modest gains.