Game #1: Steelers vs. Giants [25-12]

Game 1:

Steelers vs. Giants

Coach Bob Hilt and his Steelers continued their winning ways from last year in their season opener with a 25 - 12 victory over the Giants.  If you used the first quarter as a barometer to measure the outcome of the game, you might never have given the Steelers a chance.  The defense was tested and the offense never touched the ball as the first quarter ended with the Steelers trailing 0 - 6.  The Steelers first offensive possession came early in the second quarter and resulted in a turnover.  The Giants then scored their second unanswered touchdown and took a 12 - 0 lead after failing to convert both point after attempts.

But, in the words of Coach Hilt, “It’s not over, yet!”  On the next drive, the Steelers drove down the field and scored their first touchdown of the season with a 1-yard power dive by Ryan Hilt (#55).  They then converted the point after with Ryan Hilt (#55) again diving in for the 3-yard gain.  This moved the Steelers to within 5 of the Giants.  In the latter part of the second half, the Giants were driving downfield when the Steelers forced a fumble and took possession of the ball.  The offense then took the field and proceeded to score the go ahead touchdown on a 48-yard pass play from quarterback Tim Bado (#27) to Joe Ippolito (#87) as the Steelers headed into the locker room with a 13 - 12 lead over the Giants.

In the third quarter, the defense did not allow a single point while the offense managed to score another touchdown with a 46-yard run by Ryan Hilt (#55).  The extra point was no good leaving the score at 19-12.

The fourth quarter saw another tough battle play out as neither team was able to score for most of the quarter and it looked like the game might end with a scoreless fourth.  All that changed when, with only seconds left on the clock, the Steelers broke open a fake reverse play to Joe Ippolito (#87) who broke several tackles while running 55 yards to score the final touchdown as the game clock expired giving them a 25 - 12 victory over the Giants. 

Total Yards:  Rushing: 276, Passing: 60

Defensive Stats:

Last update: 9/23/2003; 6:56:03 AM.