Monday, October 13, 2003

By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

DENVER -- Jerome Bettis fumbles about as often as Mario Lemieux misses an open net. Before yesterday, he hadn't lost a ball since the 2002 season opener in New England. Before that, he carried 760 times without a fumble.

	Jerome Bettis cradles the football after atoning for a rare fumble by scoring a fourth quarter touchdown. Bettis ran in a two-point conversion on the next play to tie the game. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette) Click photo for larger image.

Waterford crystal gets dropped more often than Bettis drops a football.

But, with 11 1/2 minutes remaining, Bettis did the unthinkable, losing a fumble at the Denver 49 with the Steelers desperately trying to tie the score against the Broncos.

"Whenever you turn the football over, you take your chances away," Bettis said. "We had a good drive when I fumbled the football, and, as a running back, that's something you can't do."

Bettis cherishes his reputation as a reliable back, a player who takes care of the football and almost never commits a turnover. But his fumble in the fourth quarter, which Broncos defensive end Bertrand Berry recovered at the Denver 45, led to a touchdown that gave the Broncos a 14-6 lead.

Bettis atoned for the mistake with a 1-yard touchdown run and a twisting, diving two-point conversion run that tied the score, 14-14, with 2:41 remaining.

Nonetheless, when Jason Elam kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Broncos a 17-14 victory, all Bettis could think about was the fumble -- only his second in his past 980 carries.

"I was careless with the football," he said. "I let him get his helmet on the football. That's something I can't let happen."

Bettis was referring to safety Nick Ferguson, who came up after a 2-yard gain by Bettis and knocked the ball from him. Bettis always carries the ball in his right arm, never switching even when he runs to the left side. That prevents Bettis from protecting the ball with his body, which is what happened when he followed fullback Dan Kreider around the left side on first down at the Broncos' 49.

Ferguson hit Bettis' arm with his helmet, knocking the ball loose.

Four plays later, quarterback Steve Beuerlein threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rod Smith, who made a great two-handed catch high over cornerback Dewayne Wasington

"Those things happen," coach Bill Cowher said. "A guy puts a hit right on the ball. It happens. There's no reason why, it just happens. You've just got to overcome that. I don't have a problem with those turnovers. They happen."

Curiously, Bettis' fumble was the only giveaway by the Steelers, who had committed an AFC-high 11 turnovers through the first five games. Tommy Maddox was sacked seven times, but he did not throw an interception for the first time since the season opener.

Last year, the Steelers were 10-0 when they committed fewer turnovers than the opposition. This was the first time this year they won the turnover battle (3 to 1) but lost the game.

"It's a frustrating loss because we did some good things," said Bettis, who finished with 34 yards on 14 carries. "You want to help the team, but it's frustrating when you can't help the team pull it out."

The Steelers' running game continued to struggle, managing only 85 yards on 30 carries (2.8 yards per attempt) and not having a run longer than 12 yards -- and that was by wide receiver Hines Ward.

	Jerome Bettis and Alan Faneca scramble for a ball that popped loose after Bettis rode across the goal line on top of Faneca's ankle to tie the game with a fourth quarter two-point conversion. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette) Click photo for larger image.

Bettis was the leading rusher, despite his modest totals, but he provided a lift in the fourth quarter when he scored on a 1-yard run, then made a determined effort on the two-point conversion to tie the score.

"We made the decision we were going to pound it, we're going to run it, and we did it," Bettis said.

The two-point conversion run was vintage Bettis.

He was clipped in the backfield by cornerback Kelly Herndon, who lunged at his legs, and still managed to keep his balance despite turning 180 degrees. Bettis fell near the goal line, but he landed on guard Alan Faneca's ankle and never touched the ground. Bettis was able to reach the ball into the end zone just before his right elbow touched the goal line.

"I didn't know [I was on Faneca]," Bettis said. "I needed to get into the end zone."

Faneca, who played mainly at left tackle for injured Marvel Smith, switched places with Keydrick Vincent and lined up at left guard on the play. He did so because the play was counter lead, one of the Steelers' favorite running plays in which Faneca pulls and leads Bettis through the right side.

The Broncos didn't appear to notice that Faneca switched positions, an indication the Steelers were going to run one of their signature plays.

"I've run that play so many more times than Keydrick, I felt it was best for me to run it," Faneca said.

In the end, it didn't matter. The Steelers' comeback failed, putting them at 2-4 heading into an open date.

Bettis was asked if the team will get frustrated after its poor start.

"We're already frustrated," he said. "But the guys are not quitting. Guys are still fighting."

Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1466.

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