[
](http://www.steelers.com/adPromo/clickThrough/processClick.io?adPromoID=95922)
STEELERS at LIONS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009 KICKOFF 1:00 P.M. FORD FIELD
POST-GAME NOTES
Pittsburgh Team Notes:
• Pittsburgh won its second straight game on the season and improved to 3-2.
• The win marked the Steelers' first road victory of the season.
• The Steelers improved to 16-16-1 all-time against the Detroit Lions in the regular season.
• Pittsburgh improved to 8-2 against the Lions since the NFL merger in 1970.
• The Steelers won their third straight game against the Lions in the series history.
• Pittsburgh improved to 92-56-1 all-time against teams from the NFC and won their 17th game in the past 22 against the NFC.
• The Steelers won for the ninth time in the past 10 games against teams currently in the NFC North, dating back to 1998.
• Detroit jumped out to a 3-0 lead on its first drive of the game as K Jason Hanson booted a 46-yard field goal. It was the first time this season the Steelers allowed a score on their opponents opening drive and the first score Pittsburgh has allowed in the first quarter all year.
• Pittsburgh responded on the ensuing drive as RB Rashard Mendenhallran in for his third rushing touchdown of the season to give the Steelers a 7-3 lead. On the drive, Mendenhall posted a 27-yard run.
• Detroit came right back to make it 7-6 as Hanson kicked his second 46-yard field goal of the game with 2:23 remaining in the first quarter.
• The Steelers upped their lead to 14-6 with 10:37 left in the first half as TE Heath Millercaught a 15-yard touchdown pass on a screen play from QB Ben Roethlisberger. It was Miller's team-leading third receiving touchdown of the year, giving him 24 career touchdown receptions, which is tied for second place on the team's all-time touchdowns list for tight ends (Eric Green).
• Detroit trimmed the lead to 14-13 with a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown by CB William James midway through the second quarter.
• WR Hines Wardhauled in a 17-yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger with just under four minutes remaining in the second quarter. The touchdown was Ward's 73rd career receiving touchdown (74th career touchdown), giving him 454 points in his career. It moves him into sixth place on the team's all-time list ahead of Norm Johnson, who finished his career with 452 points.
• Roethlisberger connected with rookie WR Mike Wallacefor a 47-yard touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 28-13 lead. It was Wallace's first career touchdown, while Roethlisberger posted his 10th career regular-season three-touchdown game.
• Detroit was able to cut the lead to 28-20 with 4:57 remaining in the game as QB Daunte Culpepper hit WR Dennis Northcutt for a 25-yard touchdown.
• After the Steelers were forced to punt on their next series, the Lions drove to Pittsburgh's 21-yard line at the two-minutes warning but three straight sacks on Culpepper and an incompletion on fourth down sealed the victory.
• Pittsburgh finished with 344 yards of total offense to the Lions' 335. The Steelers were outgained on the ground, 110-82.
• Pittsburgh had 18 first downs while Detroit finished with 21.
• The Steelers held the ball for only 27:25 (Detroit - 32:35).
• Pittsburgh converted only 3-of-8 first down attempts (38%) while the Lions converted 61% (11 of 18).
• The Steelers had a season-high seven sacks, including three by LB James Harrison.
• Pittsburgh picked off its second pass of the season, this time by S Ryan Clark.
• QB Dennis Dixon (3rd QB), CB Keenan Lewis, RB Willie Parker, S Troy Polamalu, OG Kraig Urbik, OT Tony Hills, WR Shaun McDonaldand DE Nick Easonwere inactive for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Individual Notes:
QB Ben Roethlisberger
• Finished 23-for-30 for 277 yards with three touchdowns and one interception (123.9 passer rating).
• Marked his second straight 100-plus passer rating and the 30th of his career in the regular season.
• Posted his first three-touchdown game of the season and the 10th of his career in the regular season.
• Tossed a 15-yard touchdown to TE Heath Miller in the second quarter.
• Had a 17-yard touchdown pass to WR Hines Ward later in the second quarter.
• Connected with rookie WR Mike Wallace for a 47-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.
• Improved to 16-5 as a starter against NFC teams.
• Improved to 54-22 all-time as a starter.
RB Rashard Mendenhall
• Made his second straight start (third career) in place of the injured RB Willie Parker.
• Finished with 77 yards rushing on 15 carries (5.1 avg.) with one touchdown.
• Scored his team-best third rushing touchdown of the year with a seven-yard run with 6:44 remaining in the first quarter.
• Had a 27-yard run midway through the first quarter.
• Caught two passes for 16 yards (8.0 avg.).
WR Hines Ward
• Caught a game-high seven passes for 85 yards (12.1 avg.), including a 17-yard touchdown.
• Has now caught a pass in a team-record 167 consecutive games.
WR Santonio Holmes
• Finished with four catches for 50 yards.
WR Stefan Logan
• Had two punt returns for 14 yards (7.0 avg.), including a long of 14 yards.
• Posted five kickoff returns for 128 yards (25.6 avg.).
• Had a 47-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
WR Mike Wallace
• Posted his first career touchdown as he hauled in a 47-yard pass from Roethlisberger in the third quarter.
• Finished with two catches for 52 yards (26.0 avg.).
TE Heath Miller
• Hauled in his team-best third receiving touchdown of the year with a 15-yard reception from Roethlisberger early in the second quarter.
• Finished with five catches for 54 yards (10.8 avg.).
LB LaMarr Woodley
• Posted 1.5 sacks and finished with four tackles (three solo).
LB Lawrence Timmons
• Posted his first sack of the season and finished with six tackles (five solo).
LB James Harrison
• Posted his fourth sack on the year (loss of four yards).
• Tallied a 14-yard sack late in the second quarter.
• Had a six-yard sack early in the third quarter, giving him 34.5 for his career and a team-best six on the year.
• Finished with eight tackles (seven solo), three sacks, two QB hurries and one forced fumble, his fourth of the year.
S Ryan Clark
• Posted his first interception of the season and sixth of his career (third with Pittsburgh).
• Finished with seven tackles (six solo).
CB William Gay
• Had eight tackles with a career-high 1.5 sacks.
P Daniel Sepulveda
• Averaged 48.5 yards per punt on four punts (194 total yards), including a long of 51 yards.
