Klingler Runs, but Can’t Hide : AFC: Steelers sack Bengal rookie 10 times, Foster breaks Harris’ rushing records in 21-9 victory.
CINCINNATI — David Klingler was a better runner than a passer in his NFL debut, out of necessity.
The Pittsburgh Steelers sacked Klingler a club-record 10 times Sunday and had him on the run all afternoon in a 21-9 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
“If I can get rid of this headache, I’ll sleep well tonight,†said Klingler, who completed his first five passes before the Steelers’ put the pressure on. “My goals going in were to not turn the ball over and to make some smart plays.
“I made some smart plays, but not enough to win the game. I’m going to get better.
“I probably held the ball too much, but I’d rather have a sack than an interception.â€
Klingler, who replaced Boomer Esiason at quarterback, completed 16 of 34 passes for 140 yards with no interceptions against the Steelers’ all-out blitzes.
In addition to being sacked 10 times, Klingler was forced to run out of the pocket eight times and gained 44 yards.
However, he couldn’t get the Bengals (4-8) their first offensive touchdown in three weeks.
“They blitzed the hell out of us, especially in the second half,†Cincinnati tackle Joe Walter said. “They blitzed on every play, and they pulled some new stunts.â€
While Klingler was running for his safety, Barry Foster of the Steelers (9-3) was running into Pittsburgh’s record book.
Foster scored two touchdowns and surpassed Franco Harris’ single-season rushing record with his ninth 100-yard game. His 102 yards in 25 carries kept him in the NFL rushing lead with 1,319 yards.
Foster surpassed Harris’ 17-year-old club mark of 1,246 yards in a season with a 21-yard run in the second quarter.
“It was something,†Foster said. “I really didn’t expect it to happen and neither did my teammates or coaches.
“Hopefully I can do it again next year and break my own record.â€
Foster’s sensational season has been a major factor in keeping Pittsburgh atop the AFC Central Division.
The Steelers, aiming for their first division title since 1984, have a two-game lead on Houston with three of their last four games at Three Rivers Stadium, where they are undefeated.
“We’re looking good,†cornerback Rod Woodson said.
Pittsburgh quarterback Neil O’Donnell, who didn’t play last week because of a hamstring injury, completed 10 of 18 passes for 149 yards.
But mostly he handed the ball to Foster, whose touchdown runs of one and two yards helped give the Steelers a 21-6 lead in the third quarter.
The Bengals, who were beaten, 20-0, by the Steelers at Pittsburgh earlier this season, tried to fool the Steelers in the first quarter and wound up digging themselves a hole.
Cincinnati tried a fake punt on its first possession but Eric Ball, the blocking back in punt formation, dropped the snap and Charles Davenport picked the ball up on one bounce and ran 34 yards for a Pittsburgh touchdown.
Jim Breech kicked field goals of 33, 42 and 38 yards for Cincinnati.
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