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Big Ben throws five TDs as Steelers dominate Titans

Oct 9, 2011 - 9:16 PM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Ben Roethlisberger threw five touchdowns for the second time in his career as the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Tennessee Titans, 38-17.

Roethlisberger, who played through a sprained left foot, completed 24-of-34 passes for 228 yards for the Steelers (3-2), who bounced back nicely after a 17-10 loss last Sunday against Houston. The two-time Super Bowl winner came into the game with just three passing touchdowns and nine turnovers, five of them interceptions.

Rashard Mendenhall was active for the game, but did not play. Jonathan Dwyer ran for a career-high 107 yards on 11 carries, including a 76-yard run. Isaac Redman ran the ball 15 times for 49 yards.

Hines Ward had 54 yards and two scores on seven receptions, while Mike Wallace had 82 yards and one touchdown on six catches.

Matt Hasselbeck threw for 262 yards and a touchdown on 29-of-49 passing for the Titans (3-2).

The Steeler defense held Chris Johnson in check for 51 yards and a score on 14 carries. Johnson ran for 21 yards on the first play of the game for Tennessee, who had three consecutive wins heading into the game.

Damian Williams caught six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Nate Washington added 69 yards on five receptions.

The Titans took 6:43 off the clock on their opening drive as they got on the board first with a Rob Bironas 29-yard field goal. Johnson rushed for 34 yards on five carries on the 13-play, 69-yard drive.

Antonio Brown took the ensuing kickoff 52 yards down the right sideline to put the Steelers in prime field position at midfield. The Steelers finished off their 10-play, 50-yard march with a Heath Miller eight-yard touchdown catch.

Following a Tennessee punt, the Steelers concluded an eight-play, 70-yard possession with a Ward seven-yard touchdown catch to give Pittsburgh a 14-3 lead early on in the second quarter. Pittsburgh executed a fake punt on a 4th- and-5 at midfield when Daniel Sepulveda found Ryan Mundy for a 33-yard gain.

Dwyer scampered for a 76-yard run on the first play of Pittsburgh's next drive as he broke free down the right sideline. Roethlisberger capped off the possession with a one-yard touchdown pass to David Johnson.

The Steelers marched inside Titans territory once again near the end of the half, but Cortland Finnegan intercepted Roethlisberger with eight seconds left until the break.

After back-to-back punts to start the second half, the Steelers made it 28-3 when Ward scored on a five-yard quick slant for Roethlisberger's fourth touchdown of the game. Miller hauled in a 20-yard pass, while Ward picked up 16 to highlight the nine-play, 71-yard drive.

Johnson punched it in from the one for his first touchdown of the season on Tennessee's ensuing possession. Hasselbeck hooked up with Washington for a 25- yard gain on a 3rd-and-10 to set up the score.

Bironas floated an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by Alterraun Verner of the Titans after Pittsburgh's Arnaz Battle muffed the catch. But Hasselbeck was intercepted by LaMarr Woodley on the very next play as Brett Kiesel tipped the pass up in the air at the line of scrimmage.

The Steelers tacked on three more after the turnover as Shaun Suisham booted it through from 19 yards out to make it 31-10 in the early stages of the fourth quarter.

Tennessee turned the ball over on downs as the Titans were unable to convert a 4th-and-5 from the Steeler 40-yard line.

The Titans made it a 14-point game with 3:32 to go when Hasselbeck found Williams down the left sideline for a 19-yard score.

Roethlisberger hooked up with Wallace for his fifth score as he streaked open down the right side of the field for a 40-yard touchdown reception.

Game Notes

The Steelers lead the all-time series against the Titans 41-29. Pittsburgh won last year's meeting as well, 19-11...Roethlisberger's five passing touchdowns tied a single-game team record he already shares with Terry Bradshaw and Mark Malone. His previous five-touchdown game came against the Ravens on November 5, 2007.