It's been a disappointing Super League season for the 1985 Chicago Bears. Maybe they should have inserted William "The Refrigerator" Perry in the lineup sooner.

The rookie defensive tackle was inserted at fullback with the Bears facing a crucial third-and-goal late in their 28-24 victory over the 1984 San Francisco 49ers and scored what proved to be the winning touchdown.

Trailing 24-21 with 4:55 left, the Bears reached the 49ers' 1-yard line. But Walter Payton was stuffed on two plays to bring up third down. In came Perry, expected to be nothing more than a lead blocker for Payton. Instead, he got the ball and plowed through for the go-ahead score. When the Bears (4-5) stopped Joe Montana's fourth-down pass on the next possession, the victory was theirs.

Payton had 85 yards rushing and 64 receiving for the Bears. Matt Suhey scored on two short runs. Jim McMahon, terrible in recent weeks, was a little better, going 12 for 23 for 178 yards.

Montana finished 16 of 30 for 206 yards and two TDs for the 49ers (6-3), but the Bears held receiver Dwight Clark without a catch and sacked Montana three times.