WASHINGTON, DC - The weather outside was frightful, well not that bad, sloppy might be a better term, and although the Steelers lost 17-13 the best way to describe play was was the latter term, sloppy, especially in the first half.
In all Pittsburgh posted 13 penalties, but even worse was the fact the Redskins rushed for 167 yards on the night, meaning Washington was able to hold the ball ten minutes more than the Steelers.
The Steelers first team defense looked tough on the Skins first series. Although they were able to run the ball, mainly behind the efforts of Clinton Portis, starter Jason Campbell could only record one completion and the teams goal line defense came through holding Washington to a Shaun Suisham.
Charlie Batch (5 of 13 who looked rusty on his first series as a starter for the injured Ben Roethlisberger, perked up on the second series and directed a nine play scoring drive which was capped off by Willie Parker's three yard run, which was helped in part by some great blocking by Willie Colon.
Jeff Reed's 34 yard field goal with 44 seconds left until half gave the Steelers a 10-3 lead.
The Steelers came out rusty in the second half going three-and-out. It set up the debut of Chase Daniels who engineered a 14 play scoring drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock. Daniels found Marko Mitchell from three yards out to tie things up.
If there was a bright spot in the game for the Steelers it came via former CFL standout Stefan Logan. He had 208 total return yards, and his 60 yard kickoff return in the second half enabled the Steelers to take a 13- 10 lead on Piotr Czech's 41 yard field goal.
While Logan showed his skills, rookie Joe Burnett had trouble for the second week fielding the ball, and it gave the ball back to the Redskins and handed them the game.
With 13:34 left in the fourth quarter, the Steelers had the momentum, but Burnett couldn't handle the punt and the Redskins recovered the ball. On the next play, Daniels found Albright in the endzone for an 18 yard touchdown.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
1)Without a doubt, Stefan Logan. He was given an opportunity to shine under the lights, and grasped it and made the best of it averaging 39.3 yards on four kickoff returns, and 12 yards on four punt returns.
2)Tom Korte- Why not. He halted a Redskins drive with his interception in the fourth quarter of Colt Brennan and returned it 47 yards. A Division III player, he probably wont make the team at the crowded linebacker slot, but you have to love the underdog.
3.) Keyaron Fox - Special teams ace played hard, and led the team in tackles.
Comments
Korte was a Division II player at Hillsdale, but yeah definitely the underdog. He's an incredible kid with an incredible motor.
Tom Korte will make the team
Great stuff about Stefan Logan. As a USD alumni myself it was always a pleasure to watch Logan dominate in the DakotaDome.
Thanks Mark. I really love what Logan brings to the table and early when they signed him said they may have found the next Darren Sproles. Gonna try to track him down this weekend at the game. Hopefully he gets to strut his stuff again against the Bills.
James and Andy I hope you are right. Korte has a lot of heart.
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