Steelers win opener-Allar shines, QB look, notes

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – All three quarterbacks had ratings over 100, but only rookie Drew Allar led multiple touchdown drives as the Steelers win the preseason opener 28-9 over Green Bay Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.

Here are some of the big moments, quarterback comparison, penalty issues and attendance from the first of three exhibition games.

Big play

The big play of the game came from rookie receiver/returner Kaden Wetjen, after his defender fell down he was able to catch a square in over the middle on third down from Drew Allar, on his first pass, and sprinted 75 yards to the Packers three-yard line.

Rudolph drive

After a three and out that included a sack on the first series and a sack on the first play of the second series, Mason Rudolph went to work. The 31-year-old hit rookie Germie Bernard for 14 yards, then under pressure hung in the pocket to find Ben Skowronek for 19 yards. He would later find Bernard for 25 yards, Brandon Smith for six yards on 3^rd and 4 and Travis Homer for 8 yards on 3^rd and 1. Rudolph was able to dance on a third and goal, break a tackle and throw it into the back of the end zone for Bernard, he got his left foot in, but his right steps onto the goal line for an incomplete pass. On 4^th and goal from the three, Rudolph found Pat Freiermuth at the one-yard line and he was immediately tackled to end the drive with no points.

Howard drive

Like Rudolph, Howard had a punt on the first drive, but led a drive one-yard farther on his next opportunity. In his first NFL preseason game, Howard hit a play-action pass rolling to his left to find Skowronek for 17 yards. He then threw middle to tight end Robert Tonyan and next play hit Tonyan on a screen for 15 yards. Howard stepped up in the pocket and hit Tonyan again for what was called a touchdown on a pass over the middle, but replay showed he was down at the one-yard line. Lew Nichols ran it in from there for an 8-play, 80-yard drive. He would get the first series of the third quarter, but it was brief and ended in a punt

Allar drive

Big plays have been a part of Allar at training camp, he was able to find Wetjen in stride at the 33-yard line and he provided 64 yards of YAC. After a timeout, threw a ball a little low, but catchable by fullback Riley Nowakowski, that went incomplete at the goal line. Allar then kept on a read option and dove into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown.

Allar made a really nick throw while back-peddling for a nine-yard completion to Levi Wentz and a couple of perfect timing throws to Max Hurleman. Rolling to his left, Allar with another great throw to Wetjen for a five-yard TD. The rookie receiver finished with two catches for 79 yards.

A third touchdown drive for the Penn State star this time connecting with Nowakowski for a four-yard touchdown.

The quarterback numbers Thursday

• Mason Rudolph 10-11 for 93 yards, 101.9 rating
• Will Howard 7-9 for 86 yards, 106.5 rating
• Drew Allar 10-13 for 153 yards ,2 TD, 154.0 rating

Broderick Jones

Nine months after suffering a season-ending neck injury during a game in Chicago, Broderick Jones played at left tackle with the second team offensive line and was part of the first half touchdown drives.

6 personal foul penalties

McCarthy has stressed details, they weren’t there for game one. There were 6 personal foul penalties in the first 18 minutes of the game and 9 penalties overall for 110 yards.

• Dean Lowry roughing the snapper on a field goal attempt
• Ben Skowronek personal foul for a hit on punt coverage
• Cole Holcomb roughing the passer hitting Tyrod Taylor after he slid
• Doneiko Slaughter for a late hit after Robert Spears-Jennings tackle for loss
• Anthony Goodlow for roughing the quarterback
• Israel Mukuamu for blindside block on a punt return

Notes

• Bernard ended up with 4 catches for 51 yards on 5 targets
• Tonyan caught all 4 targets for 61 yards
• Steelers introduced the defense before the game
• LB Jamin Davis had 2 sacks, Julius Welschof and Israel Mukuamu with one sack each

Not playing

Several veterans did not participate in Thursday’s game including captains TJ Watt, Cam Heyward and Aaron Rodgers. Receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman did not play presumably because of injury. Rookie offensive lineman Max Iheanachor missed because of a neck/shoulder issue.

CB Joey Porter, Junior, DB Jalen Ramsey, DL Logan Lee and DB Donte Kent remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list and were not eligible to play.

Lee placed on the PUP list to open a roster spot for linebacker Elandon Roberts as the team officially announced his deal before the game.

Up Next

Steelers hold an open practice at St. Vincent College at 11a on Saturday and play next Friday at home against the Jets.