Slidell High and Tulane University High graduate Matt Forté turned in a sterling performance Sunday night in his National Football League debut as he helped the Chicago Bears down the Indianapolis Colts, 29-13, in the season opener.

Forté, the first rookie to start at running back for the Bears since the late Walter Payton in 1975, rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries for a 5.3 yard per carry average.

On his fourth career tote, Forté broke off a 50-yard touchdown run with 10:01 left in the first quarter to give the Bears a 7-3 lead after Robbie Gould’s conversion. On tje TD run, he broke a tackle, made a nice cut and then outran the Colts’ Bob Sanders, last year’s defensive player of the year, for the score.

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His father Gene Forté, who had terrace seats for the game, but said he had a good view, talked about the excitement of the touchdown run.

“I told my wife I think she pulled a voice muscle,” said the elder Forté. “Some Colt fans didn’t understand why we were so excited about the run, but when we told them we were his parents, they understood and they were rooting for him the rest of the game.”

Slidell coach Artie Liuzza, who was the offensive coordinator when Matt Forté was at SHS, talked about his reaction to the score.

“I was jumping up-and-down,” Liuzza said. “I was calling my sons to see if they were watching it. I was fired up.”

Forté also caught three passes for 18 yards.

Last season, Indianapolis’ defense was ranked third in the NFL and second behind Pittsburgh in the AFC. The Colts were also sixth against the run in the AFC and 15th in the NFL.

The Bears showed a lot of confidence in Forté throughout the game as he converted five third downs, four on the ground.

His final third down conversion led to the score that sealed the game. Leading 22-13, the Bears needed 2 yards to keep the drive going from the Colts’ 40. Forté caught a Kyle Orton pass in the middle for 4 yards.

Later in the drive, Jason McKie ran for a 1-yard TD.

Liuzza said he was happy to see a former player continuing to have success.

“He did great,” Liuzza said. “He proved all the naysayers wrong. We knew he could play because after being around him for four years, we knew his work ethic, desire and determination to be the best he could be.”

Gene Forté said he is a proud father.

“He had a real good night,” Gene Forté said. “That goes to show his maturity, drive and determination to play well. He’s a different young man. He doesn’t go with the crowds, and I think coach (Lovie) Smith was comfortable giving him the job.”

Forté was the Bears’ second round pick and 44th selection overall in the NFL draft.

The 2004 Slidell High grad, rushed for 2.127 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry with 23 touchdowns in his senior year at Tulane.

He rushed for 4,265 yards on 833 attempts in his college career with the Green Wave.

Forté, a four-year letterman for the Greenies, set three Tulane records with 99.2 yards per game with 39 rushing TDs and 44 total scores, five on the receiving end.

Chicago’s season continues Sunday when the Bears head to Carolina to face the Panthers for a noon kickoff.