STEELERS vs COLTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2008 KICKOFF -- 4:15 P.M. POST-GAME NOTES
Team Notes:
• Pittsburgh dropped its second consecutive home game for the first time since 2005 and fell to 6-3 on the year (2-2 at Heinz Field).
• The Steelers fell to 14-6 all-time against the Colts and 10-2 at home in the series history. The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak in Pittsburgh for the Steelers in the series.
• Pittsburgh dropped its first game of the year against an AFC opponent (5-1).
• Pittsburgh opened a 7-0 lead on its first drive of the game as RB Mewelde Mooreran in from one yard out to cap a 62-yard drive. It was Moore's fourth rushing touchdown of the season. On the drive, QB Ben Roethlisbergerwas 4-for-4 for 48 yards, including a 23-yarder to WR Santonio Holmes.
• Indianapolis quickly responded with a four-play, 77-yard drive on the ensuing drive as QB Peyton Manning connected with WR Reggie Wayne on a 65-yard touchdown pass that was just over the outstretched hands of CB Ike Taylor.
• Moore scored his second touchdown of the game with a one-yard score in the second quarter to give Pittsburgh a 14-7 lead with 13:21 left in the first half. It was Moore's fifth touchdown of the season and his second multi-touchdown game of the season. On the drive, Roethlisberger hit WR Hines Wardfor a 41-yard flea-flicker down to the one-yard line.
• K Jeff Reedbooted a 42-yard field goal in the second quarter to make it 17-7 at the 4:18 mark of the first half. It was Reed's 147th career field goal, moving him into second place on the team's all-time field goals made list ahead of Roy Gerela.
• After Roethlisberger tossed an interception at the Steelers' 30-yard line, Indianapolis drove in for a touchdown as Manning hit TE Dallas Clark for a two-yard touchdown with just six seconds remaining in the half to trim the lead to 17-14.
• The Colts tied the game on their opening drive of the second half as K Adam Vinatieri booted a 36-yard field goal to make it 17-17 at the 8:14 mark of the third quarter.
• The teams exchanged punts before the Steelers used 8:27 off the clock and regained the lead, 20-17, as Reed added a 24-yard field goal. The Steelers had first-and-goal but were unsuccessful on three rushing attempts.
• Pittsburgh forced a three-and-out by Indianapolis on the next drive and took possession with just over six minutes remaining in the game. However, on third-and-four, Roethlisberger threw his second interception of the game and the Colts took over at the Steelers' 32-yard line.
• Four plays after the Roethlisberger pick, Manning connected with RB Dominic Rhodes for a 17-yard touchdown with just over three minutes to go in the game.
• Pittsburgh was able to march down to Indianapolis 27-yard line, but a desperation Roethlisberger pass into the end zone as time expired was intercepted to seal the Colts' victory.
• Pittsburgh finished with 326 yards of total offense (55 rushing, 271 passing) while the Colts finished with 290 yards of offense (62 rushing, 228 passing).
• Pittsburgh had 18 first downs to the Colts' 17.
• Both teams converted 56 percent of their third-down attempts.
• The Steelers held the ball for 34:05 while Indianapolis had possession for just 25:55.
• Pittsburgh finished with two sacks for 12 yards while the Colts had two sacks for 13 yards.
• The Steelers were penalized three times for 20 yards to Indianapolis' six penalties for 45 yards.
• QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB), CB Bryant McFadden, RB Willie Parker, LB LaMarr Woodley, OL Tony Hills, OT Marvel Smith, TE Heath Millerand DE Orpheus Royewere inactive for Pittsburgh.
Individual Notes:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Finished 30-for-42 for 284 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions (60.0 passer rating).
• Hit WR Hines Ward for a 41-yard pass on a flea-flicker in the second quarter.
• Tossed completions to seven different receivers.
• Added a 23-yard completion to WR Santonio Holmes.
• Moved into second place on the team's all-time passing yardage list with 13,359 career yards. He passed Kordell Stewart (13,328) on the all-time list and trails only Terry Bradshaw (27,989).
RB Mewelde Moore
• Made his fourth start of the season in place of the injured RB Willie Parker.
• Finished with 57 yards rushing on 24 carries (2.4 avg.) with two touchdowns. It marked his second multi-rushing touchdown game of the season.
• Scored a one-yard touchdown on the Steelers' first drive of the game, his fourth of the season.
• Posted his second one-yard touchdown of the game in the second quarter, giving him five for the year.
• Caught a season-high six passes for 48 yards (8.0 avg.), including a 16-yarder. His six catches were the most since he had six on Jan. 1, 2006 versus Chicago while playing for the Minnesota Vikings.
RB Gary Russell
• Returned four kickoffs for 103 yards (25.8 avg.), including a career-long 39-yarder.
WR Hines Ward
• Caught a season-high nine passes for 116 yards (12.9 avg.), his first 100-yard game of the season.
• His 116 yards marked his 17th career 100-yard receiving game, giving him sole possession of second place on the team's all-time list, moving ahead of Louis Lipps.
• Hauled in a 41-yard flea-flicker
• Has now caught a pass in a team-record 155 consecutive games.
WR Nate Washington
• Caught three passes for 30 yards (10.0 avg.).
• Had a 16-yard reception on the Steelers' first drive of the game, setting up the first touchdown.
WR Santonio Holmes
• Caught four passes for 29 yards (7.3 avg.), including a long of 23 yards.
• Returned four punts for 40 yards (10.0 avg.), including a season-long 23-yarder.
TE Matt Spaeth
• Made his sixth start of the season, but his first as the Steelers' first tight end in place of the injured TE Heath Miller.
• Caught a career-high six passes for 53 yards (8.8 avg.), including a long of 13 yards.
OT Max Starks
• Made his fourth consecutive start in place of the injured OT Marvel Smith.
DE Aaron Smith
• Posted an 11-yard sack in the first quarter, giving him two on the year and 40.5 for his career. He is now in eighth place on the team's all-time sacks list, moving ahead of Ernie Holmes (40 career sacks). It was the first sack against Manning in the previous 119 pass attempts.
• Finished with four tackles (three solo).
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*LB James Harrison
• Posted a one-yard sack in the second quarter, giving him 11 on the year. The 11 sacks are the most by a Steeler since LB Jason Gildon had 12 in 2001.
• Finished with a team-high 11 tackles (eight solo) with three tackles-for-loss and two QB pressures.
LB Lawrence Timmons
• Made his first career start in place of the injured LB LaMarr Woodley.
• Finished with five tackles (four solo).
CB Ike Taylor
• Finished with five tackles (all solo) and two passes defensed.
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*P Paul Ernster
• Punted three times for 113 yards (37.7 avg.) with two punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
K Jeff Reed
• Finished a perfect 2-for-2 in field goals and 2-for-2 in PATs for eight points.
• His 42-yard field goal in the second quarter gave him 147 career field goals, moving him into second place on the team's all-time list ahead of Roy Gerela. He trails only Gary Anderson (309).
