Posted at 1:58 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2007
NFL: Breaston's punt return helps coach beat old team
Associated Press
GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Pittsburgh Steelers were beaten today at their own game by their old offensive coordinator and might-have-been head coach.
Rookie Steve Breaston returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown and the Arizona Cardinals' defense shut down Pittsburgh's high-scoring offense most of the day to hand the Steelers their first loss, 21-14.
Breaston's burst up the middle for the go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter was the Cardinals' first punt return for a touchdown in 14 years.
The Cardinals (2-2) ended Willie Parker's string of four consecutive 100-yard rushing games, limiting him to 37 yards in 18 carries.
But Pittsburgh rallied behind Ben Roethlisberger, whose second TD pass to Santonio Holmes, a 7-yarder, cut it to 21-14 with 1:49 to play.
However, Larry Fitzgerald recovered the onside kick attempt for Arizona. The Steelers got the ball one last time at their 9 with 46 seconds to play. They made it to the 40, but Calvin Pace and Darnell Dockett sacked Roethlisberger, then Ralph Brown intercepted to seal the victory.
Arizona's Adrian Wilson also intercepted Roethlisberger's throw in the end zone in the third quarter to stop Pittsburgh on third-and-goal at the 2.
The Steelers (3-1) had scored 97 points in their first three games.
Arizona first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt and top assistant Russ Grimm both were leading contenders to replace Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh after last season. Whisenhunt was the Steelers' offensive coordinator and Grimm was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at the time.
Instead the job went to outsider Mike Tomlin. Whisenhunt and Grimm headed for the desert. There were hugs all around before the game, then came a hard-hitting defensive fight.
