LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Two young Bears players were honored Thursday when Mark Anderson was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month and Robbie Gould was selected the NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for October.

Anderson registered six sacks and forced three fumbles in four games, helping the Bears remain undefeated with victories over the Seahawks, Bills, Cardinals and 49ers.

Bears rookie defensive end Mark Anderson registered six sacks and forced three fumbles in four October victories.

“I’ve worked hard for this,” Anderson said. “I’m glad I got the opportunity to showcase my talent. It’s an honor. I’m just happy right now.”

Starring on the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense, the fifth-round pick from Alabama has predominantly rotated in as the third end behind starters Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye. 

“My role is to come off the bench, helping out Alex and Wale, just going out trying to make plays and help out the best way I can,” Anderson said. “(Coaches) put me in good situations to go make plays. Basically, I’m just capitalizing on every opportunity I get.”

Anderson is tied for fourth in the NFL with a team-leading 7½ sacks, the most by a rookie through seven games since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

“He has the God-given ability and he plays hard,” said coach Lovie Smith. “If we can get a talented player that plays hard, we have a chance to do something with him, and that’s what Mark brings to the table.

“If you ask me exactly what he has, we can talk about the measurables and all that, but to be a great pass rusher you have to have some instincts, too, to know when to dip, know when to come back, and he seems to have all of those things.

“It’s been fun watching him so far. (But) he’s just a rookie; not even halfway through his first year. We should see another big jump from him. He hasn’t peaked yet.”

Anderson is the first Bears player to be named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month since middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was chosen in October 2000. Anderson already has the second highest sack total by a Bears rookie, trailing only Urlacher, who had eight sacks in his first season.

“The young man has exceeded our expectations,” said defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. “We felt the young man had some talent and ability, but for him to put it on display as quickly as he has is really a neat thing to watch because to a degree he’s what we thought he would be.

“We didn’t expect it to happen as quickly as it has. That’s a tribute to the young man. He’s taking coaching very well. He’s using his skill and his ability and he’s putting it to what we do, and that’s even better because he really is a young man who wants to get better every day. You can watch it on the practice field. He gives you great effort every day.”

Anderson has impressed coaches with his quickness, speed and athleticism.

“He’s almost more like a sprinter the way he gets into his stance and goes,” Rivera said. “He’s got a great get-off. He may be one of the quickest guys I’ve ever seen getting off (the line).”

Gould, meanwhile, has made all 20 field goals and 23 extra points he has attempted this season, converting 10 field goals and 16 extra points in four games in October. The second-year pro leads the NFL with 83 points and is on pace to score 190, which would break the league record of 176 set by Green Bay’s Paul Hornung in 1960.

“It’s just all about being in a rhythm and being confident to do my job,” Gould said. “It’s what I get paid to do. I get paid to go out there and make field goals. It’s a performance-based business. If (I) don’t make field goals, I’m not here. I’m not talking to any of you (reporters).”

Gould is currently the most accurate kicker in NFL history among those with at least 40 attempts. He has converted 41 of 47 tries in two seasons with the Bears, an 87.234 success rate that’s narrowly ahead of the Cowboys’ Mike Vanderjagt (87.209 percent).

Gould has converted 22 straight field goals dating back to last season, two shy of Kevin Butler’s team record set in 1988-89. The Penn State product is now 9 of 9 from 40 yards and beyond after making 3 of 8 from that distance last season. But he’s more interested in team goals than individual accomplishments.

“The biggest thing is for me to keep going out there and doing my job, and the biggest thing is we want to keep winning. It’s just an award. Obviously, it’s an honor to receive it, but as a team we’re going to get ready for this week and keep the winning streak going hopefully.

“All I care about is wins and losses. The ultimate goal is to win the division and the Super Bowl. I’ve got to make kicks to do that, so I’ve got to really focus on what I need to do as far as my job is concerned and get ready for the upcoming weeks.”