Neither of the footballs from his first two NFL touchdowns was in the rookie's possession after Sunday's 20-17 home victory over Chicago. Not the pigskin used on Stewart's game-winning score or the earlier one that fueled Carolina's 14-point comeback.

NFL Week 2

Sunday

Redskins 29, Saints 24 -- Recap | Box
Panthers 20, Bears 17 -- Recap | Box
Giants 41, Rams 13 -- Recap |

"If they give it to me, I'll keep it — if it's the actual (football)," a smiling Stewart said.

Even if never handed these mementos, Stewart can take solace in this: There will be plenty of other opportunities for such a promising young rusher to fill his trophy case. The Panthers are convinced Stewart's 14-carry, 77-yard performance is just a taste of what's to come.

"He'll get better every week," Carolina coach John Fox said. "He's a very powerful guy."

That force was on display in the second half. The 235-pound Stewart punished a wilting Bears defense that — stop me if you've heard this one before — didn't receive enough offensive support to protect a 17-3 lead.

Chicago built that advantage with Stewart primarily watching from the sidelines. DeAngelo Williams started and gained just 28 yards on 10 first-half rushes. By the time Stewart was given the nod, Carolina had generated more yardage through penalties (47) than offense (40).

Stewart quickly changed the momentum midway through the third quarter. He shed two Bears defenders on one 24-yard carry. He later trampled overmatched safety Kevin Payne for a 12-yard gain.

With on-field temperatures in the triple digits at Bank of America Stadium, the Panthers began to put the heat on Chicago's defense. Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme started connecting on slant passes when the Bears would use their "mug" alignment that places 10 men at the line of scrimmage.

That helped create running lanes for Stewart, who couldn't be stopped on a four-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Nor could the Bears put the brakes on his one-yard dive that put Carolina ahead with 5:32 remaining.

"In the second half, it was a different team," Stewart said. "The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage. Running the ball wears a defense down."

The Panthers have lacked this kind of bruiser since Stephen Davis helped carry Carolina to a berth in Super Bowl XXXIX. The Panthers also haven't won a home opener or started 2-0 since that 2003 campaign.

"That's been about the last time we've had a big, physical back," said Panthers fullback Brad Hoover, who has blocked for both Davis and Stewart. "Not that we don't think we've had good backs in the past. But we haven't had a guy who could just pound it, pound it, pound it."

The chance to impose such physicality shaped Carolina's 2008 draft strategy. The Panthers chose Stewart — a 1,722-yard rusher as an Oregon junior — at No. 13 overall and then traded up to snare right tackle Jeff Otah six picks later.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney should have given himself a Gatorade shower after watching Otah and right guard Keydrick Vincent pave the way for Stewart on the deciding score.

Stewart has quickly shown his 100-yard preseason effort against Washington was no fluke, gaining 53 yards on 10 attempts in last Sunday's 26-24 upset at San Diego. The soft-spoken Stewart also has good personal chemistry with the chatty Williams, which is usually essential for a two-back system to work over the long haul. Numerous Panthers players spoke in the same breath about Stewart and Williams, who rushed for 86 yards against the Chargers.

"As coach Fox always says, 'It's not the role. It's the goal,' " Williams said. "Our goal is to make it to Tampa."

That road to Super Bowl XLIII will be much smoother if Stewart continues to blossom.

"Jonathan ran over a few guys, and that was huge," Delhomme said. "Hopefully, we can see more of that."

And maybe a few footballs in his locker as well.