Steelers host Panthers at Heinz Field

STEELERS VS. PANTHERS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2008 AT HEINZ FIELD KICKOFF AT 7 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-1)

Date: Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008
Kickoff: 7p.m., ET
Site: Heinz Field (65,050) • Pittsburgh, Pa.
Playing Surface: Grass/DD Grassmaster
TV Coverage: KDKA-TV (channel 2) FSN Pittsburgh (simulcast)
Announcers: Bob Pompeani (play-by-play) Edmund Nelson (color analyst) Jeff Verszyla (sideline)
Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)
Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Tunch Ilkin (color analyst) Craig Wolfley (sideline)
 
 
A Look at the Coaches
* Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin
Overall Regular-season Record: 10-6 (.625)/second season
Regular-season Record at Pittsburgh: 10-6 (.625)/second season
Playoff Record/Years: 0-1/one year
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Carolina Panthers Head Coach John Fox
Overall Regular-season Record: 51-45 (.531)/sixth season
Regular-season Record at Carolina: 51-45 (.531)/sixth season
Playoff Record/Years: 5-2/two years

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Series History**

Series History: Series began in 1996
Overall: Pittsburgh leads 3-1
At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 2-0
At Carolina: Series tied 1-1
Neutral Sites: n/a
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Dec. 17, 2006 (in Charlotte) Pittsburgh 37, Carolina 3
Preseason: Pittsburgh leads 5-4
(preseason record not included in overall series record)
Pittsburgh is 5-4 all-time against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason...the Steelers are 2-1 at home against the Panthers and 3-3 in Charlotte...Pittsburgh will play Carolina in its preseason finale for the eighth time since 1997 (1997, '98, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07) and is 4-3 in those games...last year, the Steelers captured a 19-3 victory over the Panthers in Charlotte in the preseason finale for both teams...the Steelers have a 3-1 record versus Carolina in the regular season, defeating the Panthers, 37-3, in the last matchup on Dec. 17, 2006, at Bank of American Stadium.
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*Steelers-Panthers Connections

Several Steelers have ties to the Panthers and the Charlotte area. K Jeff Reed(Charlotte), RB Willie Parker(Clinton) and LS Greg Warren(Goldsboro) all played at North Carolina and also hail from the Tar Heel state. OG Chris Kemoeatuis the brother of Panthers' DT Ma'ake Kemoeatu. Panthers with connections to the Steelers and Pittsburgh include Head Coach John Fox, who coached with the Steelers from 1989-91 and the University of Pittsburgh from 1986-88. Special teams coach Danny Crossmanplayed defensive back at University of Pittsburgh from 1987-89. Defensive line coach Sal Sunseriwas born in Pittsburgh and played (1979-81) and coached (1985-92) at Pitt. Secondary coach Tim Lewiswas a defensive back at Pitt (1979-82) and then coached for the Steelers from 1995-2003. RB Nick Goingsand OT Jeff Otahplayed for Pitt while LB Dan Connerand LB Tim Shawwent to Penn State. CB Ricardo Colcloughwas originally drafted by the Steelers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. OG Keydrick Vincentwas signed by the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2001 and played in Pittsburgh from 2001-04.