Perfect Panthers rally past Steelers
Panthers backup Jake Delhomme was a perfect 11-for-11 in the win.
Playing behind an offensive line it considers to be one of the best in the league, the Steelers (1-3) reached the end zone on Zereoue's 19-yard touchdown run on their second possession.
"The offensive line really played well," quarterback Tommy Maddox said. "They looked like they were really in sync with each other. The backs ran hard, the receivers played well and it was good to get off to a fast start like that."
The Steelers also got a TD from their second team, when Batch led a 99-yard drive that ended with his touchdown pass to Cushing for a 14-0 lead. The drive was highlighted with a 49-yard pass from Batch to Chris Doering on a flea flicker.
Zereoue ran for 33 yards on five carries, Batch went 8-for-11 for 104 yards, Maddox, the starter, was 4-for-5 for 65 yards on two possessions and Doering had three catches for 59 yards.
Clark Haggans had two sacks for the Steelers.
"I really liked the play of both of the first teams," coach Bill Cowher said. "I really like the mindset of the team right now."
The Panthers liked the play of all three of their quarterbacks after finally giving the backups a good hard look.
Chris Weinke was decent in his first shot against a legitimate defense, and Jake Delhomme directed all three of Carolina's scoring drives. Either way, Rodney Peete is probably still the opening-day starter.
"I don't think Rodney did anything to lose the job," Delhomme said. "You have to have more than one quarterback in the league to finish the season."
Delhomme, an offseason free agent addition, threw two touchdown passes to lead Carolina to a perfect 4-0 preseason record for the first time in the franchise's nine-year history.
He threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Mike Seidman in the second quarter, then tossed a 31-yarder to rookie Walter Young late in the third quarter.
Delhomme also was at the helm when Rod Smart scored on a 5-yard run that gave Carolina a 21-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. He finished a perfect 11-for-11 for 123 yards.
The rest of the story