Jaguars outlast Steelers in OT

Rashean Mathis returned a pass interception 41 yards to the winning TD.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
PITTSBURGH -- Those questioning just how valuable quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Hines Ward are to the Steelers found out Sunday at Heinz Field.
Very.
Minus the 2004 AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year and his top go-to threat, the substitute-laden Steelers struggled to generate consistent offense against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
But when they finally did (thanks to the no-huddle offense), two turnovers in overtime stripped the Steelers of a golden opportunity to pull out a win, resulting in a 23-17 defeat.
The Jaguars (4-2) stole the victory when cornerback Rashean Mathis intercepted a Tommy Maddox pass at the Pittsburgh 41 and returned it for the game-winning points.
"It was a very frustrating loss -- we had the opportunity, even in overtime," Steelers (3-2) coach Bill Cowher fumed. "When you turn the football over four times and are minus-3 in the giveaway-takeway ratio, you aren't going to win many football games."
Morgan reels 74 yards
Mathis' pickoff came 3:36 into the extra session that began with Steelers kick-return man Quincy Morgan racing 74 yards to the Jacksonville 26.
But after two Willie Parker runs that lost a yard, Maddox, who was making his 2005 regular season debut, fumbled and defensive end Reggie Hayward recovered at the Jacksonville 36.
The Steelers defense held, forcing the Jaguars to punt four plays later. But on second down, Maddox threw toward Morgan, but Mathis swooped in for the game-winning steal.
"I saw Quincy coming over and I thought that if I could get it to him we could get the first down and move it out," Maddox said. "I think that was the only one I forced into coverage."
Instead, the Steelers find themselves 11/2 games behind the Bengals (5-1) in the AFC North standings as they prepare to play in Cincinnati next Sunday.
"I should have done a better job of coming back to the ball," Morgan said. "It happened so fast, but I should have done a better job of tracking the football. He made a great play."
Neither offense was very productive. The Jaguars rushed 35 times for 93 yards. Quarterback Byron Leftwich completed 19-of-35 passes for 177 yards,
Maddox connected on 11-of-28 tosses for 154 yards. The Steelers rushing game was limited to 73 yards on 30 carries.
Interception sets up TD
Maddox's first pickoff caused no harm, but his second one set up the Jaguars' first touchdown. Deep in Steelers territory, linebacker Mike Peterson extended his arm to the deflect the ball to himself and return it 14 yards to the Pittsburgh 7.
One play later, Jaguars fullback Greg Jones bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 7-0 first quarter lead.
The Steelers responded with touchdowns on their next two possessions. On the first drive that covered 65 yards, the Jaguars were penalized twice to set up Maddox's 15-yard touchdown toss to tight end Heath Miller.
After the Steelers defense forced a three-and-out, punt returner Antwaan Randle El raced 72 yards to put the Steelers ahead, 14-7.
Late in the second quarter, Mathis broke through the Steelers line to deflect Chris Gardocki's punt from the Steelers 6. The 9-yard punt set up Josh Scobee's 23-yard field goal as the half expired.
The Jaguars seized control by scoring on their opening possession of the third quarter. Leftwich hit tight end Matt Jones with a 10-yard touchdown pass to put the Jaguars ahead, 17-14.
Switching to hurry-up mode, the Steelers offense sparked to life in the fourth quarter, running off 11 plays to set up Josh Reed's 29-yard field goal that tied the game.
With 3:32 to go in regulation, Reed missed 46-yard attempt to keep the score 17-17.
Steelers' defense delivers
The game reached overtime only because the Steelers defense thwarted a Jaguars' threat in the final minute.
"Our defense kept us in it," Randle El said. "They played extremely well."
First, cornerback Ike Taylor batted away a Leftwich pass to wide receiver Jimmy Smith near the goal line. Then rookie cornerback Bryant McFadden, who took the field after cornerback Deshea Townsend was injured, intercepted Leftwich's next pass in the end zone.
"It's a tough one to swallow because you feel you had the game in hand and you couldn't get it done," said Steelers tailback Jerome Bettis who was limited to 4 yards on four carries.
williams@vindy.com