Sports
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
NFL
Cornerback picks a victory for Jags
Associated Press
Published October 17, 2005
PITTSBURGH - Between the formation and Tommy Maddox's eyes, Jaguars cornerback Rashean Mathis knew the ball was coming his way.
If this had been Ben Roethlisberger throwing to Hines Ward, it might not have mattered. But the Steelers were running the play with Maddox and receiver Quincy Morgan.
Mathis stepped in front of Maddox's pass and scored on a 41-yard return in overtime and the Jaguars, taking advantage of four turnovers by Pittsburgh's backup quarterback, rallied to upset the injury-thinned Steelers.
For the Jaguars, it was proof they belong among the elite.
"I think we showed we're one of the toughest teams in the league," said Mathis, a second-year player out of Bethune-Cookman.
"This is huge. This is a statement game around the league about us."
The Steelers, losing their second straight at home but only their third overall in 21 regular-season games, were in position to win after Morgan's 71-yard kickoff return to start the overtime.
But Maddox fumbled the ball away at the 27 with Jeff Reed readying to attempt a winning field goal on the next play.
After the Jaguars punted, Maddox looked left, then went back to his right to try to find Morgan on second and 10 from the Steelers 35, but Mathis cut in front for his first interception return for a touchdown.
Maddox, starting for Roethlisberger who was out with a hyperextended left knee, threw three interceptions and went 11-of-28 for 154 yards in his second start in 13 months.
"They ran the same route on the same formation before so I knew what I was getting," Mathis said.
The Jaguars allowed 73 yards rushing and a 2.4 average against on of the league's best running teams. Jerome Bettis had four yards on four carries and Willie Parker was held to 55 yards on 21 carries.
NOTABLE: Ward missed the first game of his career with a sore hamstring after playing in 116 consecutive games.
[Last modified October 17, 2005, 01:19:13]
Share your thoughts on this story
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor