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Steelers rout 49ers to start 3-0

Sep 23, 2007 - 10:02 PM PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Fifteen years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers started Bill Cowher's first season as coach 3-0. Mike Tomlin matched that feat Sunday.

The Steelers used Allen Rossum's 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a punishing ground attack and more strong defense to post a 37-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

"It's great to be 3-0," Tomlin said. "We're starting to show some personality. We ran the ball effectively and played well on defense."

Rossum became the first Steeler to return a kickoff for a touchdown in four years. His return matched the third longest in team history.

The Steelers methodically wore down the 49ers in the second half, frequently getting the ball into the hands of Willie Parker, who carried 24 times for 133 yards. Parker has surpassed 100 yards in every game this season.

"Stats come and go," Parker said. "I'm never satisfied. I'm going to keep moving and keep plugging."

A former defensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings, Tomlin has made an immediate impact in Pittsburgh. The Steelers gave up only three field goals Sunday before surrendering a late meaningless touchdown.

Pittsburgh's defense also scored a touchdown as cornerback Bryant McFadden returned an interception 50 yards with 4:15 remaining to make it 30-9.

The Steelers have allowed only 26 points in their first three games this season. They have yielded two touchdowns and four field goals.

"Coach tells us when the defense scores, when the special teams score, you'll come away with a victory," McFadden said. "Whenever you get a chance to get the ball in your hands, you want to be a difference-maker."

San Francisco (2-1) reached the red zone twice in the first quarter, but had to settle for field goals each time.

The 49ers drove 61 yards in 11 plays on the game's opening possession to take a 3-0 lead on Joe Nedney's 32-yard field goal.

Rossum erased whatever early momentum the 49ers might have had by returning the ensuing kickoff the distance.

San Francisco had a chance to take the lead when linebacker Hannibal Navies sacked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and forced a fumble at the Pittsburgh 22. Again, the 49ers settled for a field goal, closing to 7-6 on Nedney's 22-yarder with 3:01 left in the first quarter.

"We left a lot out on the field," 49ers quarterback Alex Smith said. "We left some opportunities in the red zone early. You've got to capitalize in a game like this."

Roethlisberger completed 13-of-20 passes for 160 yards, including a 9-yard TD pass to tight end Jerame Tuman with 42 seconds left in the second quarter that gave the Steelers a 14-6 halftime lead.

"(Offensive coordinator) Bruce (Arians) has done a good job of utilizing all the weapons we have," Roethlisberger said. "We're just not using tight ends to block, we're using them in the pass game."

Smith had some success through the air for the 49ers, completing 17-of-35 passes for 209 yards.

But the Steelers held Frank Gore to 39 yards on 14 carries - his lowest total since 2005.

"We've got to open it up - start throwing it down field," 49ers offensive guard Justin Smiley said.

San Francisco became the first team since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to win its first two games with less than 400 combined yards.

The 49ers managed 300 total yards against the Steelers, though much of it came after the outcome was determined.