Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger throws three TDs in his first game back
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed no signs of rust after making his first appearance of the 2010 regular season after serving a four-game suspension. Roethlisberger tossed three
touchdown passes and led the Steelers (4-1) to a convincing 28-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns (1-5) on Sunday at Heinz Field.
Roethlisberger connected for touchdown strikes with Mike Wallace, Heath Miller and Hines Ward and finished 16 of 27 for 257 yards and one interception.
Roethlisberger may have looked poised during Sunday’s contest, but he admitted that he was nervous at the start of the game because he did not know how the fans would greet him after high-profile allegations
of improper conduct and even sexual assault.
"I started thinking about it on the way here [stadium]," said Roethlisberger, who worried that his reception might draw mix reactions from Pittsburgh’s fans. But the Steeler nation embraced their quarterback’s
return and gave him a warm reception. "Before the game I got emotional. To hear the cheers was something special. I got a little emotional."
Browns’ quarterback Colt McCoy also made his first start of the season after veterans Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace remain sidelined with injuries. The Steelers defence introduced the rookie to life
in the NFL by intercepting two of his passes and sacking him five times.
"We had our hands full with those guys," McCoy said. "They're really fast, they're really good." But despite facing one of the league’s most dominant defensive units, McCoy was able to stand in the pocket
at times and deliver accurate throws to his receivers. McCoy tossed his first NFL touchdown pass to Benjamin Watson and completed 23 of 33 passes for 281 yards.
McCoy, a third-round draft choice from Texas, did a lot better than most anticipated and earned the respect of both his teammates and of the opposing team.
"I was proud of him," said Roethlisberger. "It was not an easy task that he had today, on the road against our defence. I told him I was proud. I thought he played well and to keep his head up. We will
see him down the road. He's got a long, really good career (ahead), I believe."
Pittsburgh’s defence—most notably James Harrison, the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year, played his best game of the season and imposed his will on Cleveland’s offence. Harrison led all defensive players
with 10 tackles. The Steelers, beating Cleveland for the 13th time in 14 games, moved into first place in the AFC North.
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