Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis runs in for a five-yard touchdown despite the defensive efforts of New England Patriots cornerback Eugene Wilson during the third quarter of the AFC Championship game in Pittsburgh Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
PTTSBURGH (AP) - The New England Patriots were doing their best to ruin Keystone State football fans' dreams of an all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl, but the Pittsburgh Steelers were still hanging on. Hines Ward's 30-yard touchdown reception from Ben Roethlisberger and a fourth-quarter field goal cut the defending champions' lead to 31-20 in the AFC championship game Sunday.
Roethlisberger, who threw two interceptions in the first half, one of which was returned 87 yards for a score by Rodney Harrison, threw to Ward on fourth and 5 with 2:35 left in the quarter. Roethlisberger also had a key 6-yard run for a first down on the drive.
The Steelers opened the quarter with a touchdown drive, capped by Jerome Bettis' 5-yard run, but the Patriots responded with a 25-yard touchdown run from Corey Dillon.
Everything went the Patriots' way in the first half. Tom Brady threw a 60-yard strike to Deion Branch and a 9-yard pass to David Givens, and Harrison's score made it 24-3. Brady was 7-of-11 for 135 yards and no interceptions in the half.
Roethlisberger's first interception went to Eugene Wilson early in the game, and Wilson returned it to the Pittsburgh 48. The Patriots moved to the 30, and Adam Vinatieri kicked a high-arcing 48-yard field goal.
The kick, which came with the temperature hovering at 11 degrees and a 9 mph wind in Vinatieri's face, matched the longest at Heinz Field since the stadium opened four years ago. Last week, Jets kicker Doug Brien missed field goals from 47 and 43 yards in the final two minutes of regulation that would have won the game for New York.
On the Steelers' next possession, it was Bettis' turn to give the ball back. Bettis, who had a rare fumble last week, coughed it up after a run up the middle on fourth and 1. It was recovered by Mike Vrabel, and the Patriots took over at their own 40.
On the very next play, Brady — a two-time Super Bowl MVP — hit Branch perfectly in stride for the score with 6:49 left in the opening quarter.
The Steelers answered with a 43-yard field goal by Jeff Reed with 1:22 left in the period.
The winner faces the Philadelphia Eagles in Jacksonville, Fla., on Feb. 6. The Eagles dispatched the Atlanta Falcons 27-10 for the NFC crown.
The Steelers beat the Patriots 34-20 on Oct. 31 in Pittsburgh, ending New England's record 21-game winning streak. But the Patriots had neither Branch nor running back Corey Dillon in that game. The Steelers outrushed the Patriots 221-5 then, and New England's six rushing attempts were the fewest for an NFL team in 71 years.
On Sunday, Dillon had 24 yards in the first half, while Branch had two catches for 105 yards and one run for 14 yards.
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