By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

PITTSBURGH - There were times Sunday when Ben Roethlisberger looked the part of NFL neophyte.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos from Sunday's game

Overthrown passes to open receivers. Taking an unnecessary timeout. Not sliding to avoid a hit.

Those minor hiccups - though outnumbered by the moments Roethlisberger played like a veteran in a 28-17 win against the Bengals at Heinz Field - are part of the ongoing learning process.

Roethlisberger, the former All-American from Miami University, completed 17 of 25 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown Sunday.

"He managed the game very well," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "I think that he has just continued to grow. That was a hard-fought game, and every week that he goes out it is going to be a learning experience for him. But he just is continually growing as a player."

Roethlisberger took over at quarterback when Tommy Maddox was injured in Week 2 against the Ravens.

He's 2-0 as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback. The Steelers (3-1) beat the Dolphins 13-3 in Week 3.

"I have not mastered this offense, by any means," Roethlisberger said. "Every week, every day, you get more comfortable."

On the Steelers' first scoring drive, Roethlisberger completed a 30-yard pass to Plaxico Burress that moved Pittsburgh to the Bengals' 19-yard line.

Three plays later, the Steelers tied the game at 7. The Steelers took a 14-7 lead on an 11-yard pass from Roethlisberger to running back Verron Haynes with 14:13 remaining in the first half.

"Ben made a good pass," Haynes said. "He put it in the right spot and I made the catch."

The touchdown pass capped a commanding performance by Roethlisberger during the 11-play, 80-yard drive. He was 4-of-5 passing for 54 yards and ran twice for four yards.

On the Steelers' next possession, Roethlisberger fooled the referees but not Bengals coach Marvin Lewis.

Roethlisberger appeared to escape a sack, and not touch his right knee to the turf, as he spun out of Duane Clemons' grasp and completed a 57-yard pass to Burress.

"I tried to dust off my knee real quick so (the referee) could not see," Roethlisberger said.

The completion would've given the Steelers first down at the Bengals' 25. Cincinnati challenged, and upon review, Roethlisberger's knee clearly touched the turf. The drive ended with a punt.

"I think I did a lot better (this week) making a few plays when we needed it," Roethlisberger said. "There are still a lot of things I need to clean up.

"But the thing is, get the victory. You lead the team when they need it the most. You go down the field and score."

---

E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...