NFL Steelers rally for 15-14 win

Back-ups pulled out the win in the fourth quarter.
By MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
PITTSBURGH -- It's amazing what one win, albeit in preseason, can do for a team's outlook.
With a late fourth quarter scoring drive orchestrated by reserves, the Pittsburgh Steelers' question marks heading into the regular season faded into the background, as they beat the Dallas Cowboys 15-14 Thursday night at Heinz Field.
Coach Bill Cowher turned to a group of rookies and a timely two-point conversion to clinch Steelers' first win in three preseason games.
"Anytime you go in to a game, you play to win," rookie linebacker Alonzo Jackson said. "This is my first victory ... even though it's preseason and in about a week-and-a-half it's not even going to count, it's not even going to be on the record, it's just winning, man, you've got to love it."
After Cowher named Amos Zereoue Wednesday to start the season at running back in place of Jerome Bettis, the duo entered Thursday's game in the spotlight.
Rookie running back
But it was rookie back Dante Brown who came off the bench to help the Steelers clinch victory.
Brown took a handoff on fourth-and-1 with 4:11 remaining and the Steelers down 14-7. He bolted 18 yards through a hole on the left side untouched for a touchdown.
Rookie quarterback Brian St. Pierre then capped the eight-play, 70-yard drive by passing to fullback Wes Ours for the game-winning two-point conversion.
"[Kicking] an extra point was never an issue," Cowher said.
The win helped overshadow 95 yards worth of Pittsburgh penalties, a missed 36-yard field goal by kicker Jeff Reed and the continued inability of the Steelers' first-team defense to force turnovers.
"We've played hard and, again, we've had some situations come up -- we've had some plays not go our way," Cowher said. "We haven't been sharp. I mean, we haven't been totally on top. And I thought tonight we still took a step forward with our football team."
Zereoue finished with 12 yards on seven carries and Bettis with 18 yards on three carries in limited first-half action.
The NFL's 10th all-time leading rusher, Bettis is adjusting to the realization that he will not start as at the beginning of this season as he did his first seven seasons with the Steelers.
He took his first carry of the game in the second quarter and almost broke free before being tripped up after a 9-yard gain. Before getting up, he punched the ground in frustration.
"When you're faced with adversity, it just, you know, depends on what type of competitor you are," Bettis said "I'd like to think I'm a competitor so I respond.
"I can't worry about [being a back-up], I just got to go out and work hard every day and let it fall where it falls."
Maddox impressive
If Tommy Maddox continues to play like the guy who unseated Kordell Stewart at quarterback last season, it may fall that the Steelers' running game is more of a non-factor.
Maddox completed 10-of-14 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown pass to wide receiver Plaxico Burress in three series. He had a 50-yard touchdown pass to Burress negated by a holding penalty.
"I thought Tommy was very sharp," Cowher said. "I thought his [passes] were accurate, his reads were good. I think some of those guys are ready to play [in the regular season]."
The Steelers sealed their lead by finally forcing their first takeaway of the preseason with 2:05 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Jackson forced Dallas third-string quarterback Clint Stoerner to fumble, and Pittsburgh Linebacker Clint Kriewaldt recovered, ultimately allowing the Steelers to run out the clock.
mbixenstine@vindy.com