Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-1)Date: Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012Kickoff: 7 p.m., ETSite: Heinz Field (65,500) • Pittsburgh, Pa.Playing Surface: GrassTV Coverage: KDKA-TV, locally channel 2Announcers: Bob Pompeani (play-by-play),Edmund Nelson (analyst),Jeff Verszyla (sideline)Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network* *WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)
Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Tunch Ilkin (analyst), Craig Wolfley (sideline)Steelers notes for Panthers game
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike TomlinOverall regular-season record: 55-25 (.688)/sixth season
Regular-season record at Pittsburgh: 55-25 (.688)/sixth season
Playoff Record/Years: 5-3/four years
Carolina Panthers Head Coach Ron RiveraOverall regular-season record: 6-10 (.375)/second season
Regular-season record at Carolina: 6-10 (.375)/second season
Playoff Record/Years: n/a
SERIES HISTORYSeries History: Series began in 1996
Overall: Pittsburgh leads 4-1
At Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh leads 3-0
At Carolina:Series tied 1-1
Neutral Sites: N/A
Last Regular-Season Meeting: Dec. 23, 2010 (in Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh 27, Carolina 3
Last Preseason Meeting:Sept. 1, 2011 (in Carolina) Pittsburgh 33, Carolina 17
Postseason Series: N/A
Preseason Series:Pittsburgh leads 9-4
(preseason and postseason record not included in overall series record)
This will mark the 10th straight year the Steelers and Panthers have faced each other in the final game of the preseason and the 12th time since 1997...Pittsburgh is 4-2 at home against Carolina in the preseason…overall, this is 19th meeting between the two clubs in either the regular season or preseason since 1997…dating back to the 2006 regular season, the Steelers have defeated the Panthers seven consecutive times, twice in the regular season and five times in the preseason…including the preseason and regular season, Pittsburgh is attempting to run their home winning streak against Carolina to four straight contests…Head Coach Mike Tomlinis undefeated against Carolina in five preseason matchups and one regular season contest.* *
STEELERS-PANTHERS CONNECTIONSLOCAL CONNECTIONS
• Steelers LS Greg Warrenplayed at the University of North Carolina. Warren is also a native of Goldsboro, N.C. and attended Southern Wayne High School in Dudley, N.C.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcheryplayed at North Carolina State from 2000-03.
• Steelers wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomeryis a North Carolina native. He played collegiately at Duke University and professionally for the Carolina Panthers. Montgomery got his start in coaching with the Blue Devils, when he served as their wide receivers coach from 2006-2009.
• Steelers offensive assistant Shaun Sarrettserved as the offensive quality control coach/offensive line assistant as at Duke University in Durham, NC from 2008-11.
• Steelers defensive assistant Jerry Olsavskyspent the 2002 college football season in Chapel Hill, NC, where he served as the University of North Carolina's assistant strength coach.
• Panthers DE Thomas Keiseris a native of Wexford, Pa. and a graduate of North Allegheny High School (Wexford, Pa).
• Steelers TE Weslye Saundersis a native of Durham, N.C. His father, Barry Saunders, is a columnist for the Raleigh News-Observer.
• Steelers C/G John Maleckiand Panthers offensive quality control coach Scott Turnerwere a part of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers from 2008-2009. Malecki was an offensive lineman and Turner was an offensive assistant/wide receivers coach.
PRO CONNECTIONS
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlincoached with Panthers special teams coordinator Brian Murphyfor the Minnesota Vikings for the 2006 season.
• Panthers DT Ron Edwardsplayed for Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haleyin Kansas City from 2009-2010 when Haley was the Chiefs head coach. Steelers TE Leonard Popeand Edwards were teammates for the Chiefs in 2010.
• Steelers offensive line coach Sean Kuglerand Panthers P Nick Harriswere both in Detroit with the Lions from 2003-05. Kugler also coached with Panthers wide receivers coach Fred Gravesin Detroit in 2005.
• Steelers WR Jerricho Cotcheryand Panthers TE Ben Hartsock were teammates with the New York Jets from 2009-10.
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
• Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlinand Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermottwere teammates at The College of William & Mary in 1994.
• Steelers WR Mike Wallaceand Panthers DT Greg Hardywere teammates at the University of Mississippi from 2006-08.
• Steelers G David DeCastroand Panthers DE Thomas Keiserand DT Sione Fuawere teammates at Stanford University from 2008-10.
• Panthers RB Jonathan Stewartand Steelers TE David Paulson were teammates at the University of Oregon in 2007.
• Panthers WR Louis Murphywas teammates at the University of Florida with Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey, OT Marcus Gilbert, RB Chris Rainey, LB Brandon Hicksfrom 2007-08. Gilbert and Murphy were also teammates in 2006.
• Steelers TE Leonard Popeplayed with Panthers LB Thomas Davisat the University of Georgia from 2003-04. These two were also teammates with Panthers DE Charles Johnsonin 2004.
• Steelers NT Steve McLendonand Panthers S Sherrod Martin were teammates at Troy University from 2005-08.
• Steelers LB Chris Carterand Panthers WR Seyi Ajirotutuplayed together at Fresno State University from 2007-09.
• Steelers K Shaun Suishamand Panthers secondary/passing game coordinator Steve Wilkswere together at Bowling Green State University in 2003. Suisham also played with Panthers C Scott Mruczkowskiat Bowling Green from 2001-04.
• Steelers TE Weslye Saundersand Panthers CB Captain Munnerlynwere teammates at the University of South Carolina from 2007-08.
• Steelers S Will Allenwas teammates with Panthers WR Ben Hartsockand CB Chris Gambleat Ohio State University from 2001-03. Allen and Hartsock also played together in 2001. Steelers DE Cam Heywardand OT Mike Adamswere teammates at Ohio State with Panthers OT Bryant Browningfrom 2008-10. Heyward and Browning were also Buckeyes in 2007.
• Steelers CB Keenan Lewisand Panthers QB Derek Anderson were teammates at Oregon State University in 2004. Panthers offensive quality control coach Scott Turnercoached at Oregon State in 2005 when Lewis played for the Beavers.
• Panthers CB Brandon Hoganand Steelers S Ryan Mundywere teammates in 2007 at West Virginia University. Hogan also played for the Mountaineers with Steelers FB Will Johnsonfrom 2007-10.
• Steelers DE Al Woodsand Panthers WR Brandon LaFelland G Will Blackwellwere teammates at Louisiana State University from 2007-09. Woods and LaFell also played for the Tigers in 2006.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
PITTSBURGH TEAM NOTES• Pittsburgh improved to 118-99-1 all-time in the preseason, including a 7-2 record against Buffalo.
• After trailing 7-0, Pittsburgh scored 38 unanswered points.
• The 38 points were the most points scored by a Steelers team during the preseason since 2005, when Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia 38-31.
• The Steelers 31-point win over Buffalo was the largest margin of victory by the team in the preseason since Pittsburgh beat the Houston Texans 38-3 on August 21, 2004.
• Pittsburgh runners accumulated 109 yards on 32 carries.
• The Pittsburgh offense did not commit a turnover while the Steelers defense forced the Bills into three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble).
• The Steelers offense capitalized on each turnover, scoring three touchdowns on the ensuing drives.
• The Pittsburgh offense outgained Buffalo 378-286 in total net yards.
• The Steelers offense visited the red zone four times and scored three touchdowns and one field goal.
• Pittsburgh's defense only allowed the Bills inside the 20-yard line once.
• Steelers quarterbacks Ben Roethlisbergerand Byron Leftwich each played a half, combining to complete 22-of-32 passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns and a passer rating of 126.3.
PITTSBURGH INDIVIDUAL NOTES
QB Ben Roethlisberger• Played the entire first half, completing 17-of-24 passes for 169*yards, one touchdown and passer rating of 104.3.• In the final minute of the first half, moved the Steelers from their own three-yard line to the end-zone by completing seven passes in nine plays, including a six-yard touchdown pass to WR Antonio Brown with 13 seconds left to give Pittsburgh a 14-7 lead. QB Byron Leftwich• Connected with WR Antonio Brown for a 39-yard touchdown on his first pass of the game.• Played the final two quarters, registering 105 yards while completing 5-8 passes for 105 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 145.8. WR Antonio Brown• On Pittsburgh's first offensive play of the second half, hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass from QB Byron Leftwich to put the Steelers up 21-7.• Finished with seven receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns. RB Isaac Redman• On third-and-goal, scored from two yards out to tie the game 7-7.RB Jonathan Dwyer• On third-and-nine with the ball on the Pittsburgh three-yard line hauled in a 33-yard reception on the sideline for a first down.LB Chris Carter• In the second quarter sacked QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to force a third-and-11 that the Bills did not convert.LB Lawrence Timmons• Forced a fumble in the second quarter that was recovered by DE Ziggy Hood at the Buffalo 18-yard line. The Steelers scored on the ensuing drive to tie the game at 7-7.S Troy Polamalu• Intercepted QB Vince Young on the first possession of the second half at the Bills 39-yard line.S Robert Golden• Returned a fourth quarter interception off of QB Vince Young 47 yards to the Buffalo 8-yard line, setting up the Steelers for a touchdown *that put them up 28-7.
