Steelers' Harrison makes play of century

By Mike Prisuta, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Monday, February 2, 2009

Steelers linebacker James Harrison returns an interception for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the second quarter of Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review

TAMPA — The most unforgettable and historic play of Super Bowl XLIII did not seal a victory for the Steelers.

But while Steelers linebacker James Harrison likely is still gasping for air, his breathtaking, 100-yard interception return for a touchdown at the close of the first half contributed mightily to securing an NFL-record sixth Vince Lombardi trophy, 27-23, on Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium.

Harrison's unprecedented effort — it was the longest play in Super Bowl history — denied the Cardinals a chance to tie the game or take the lead at halftime. Instead it sent the Steelers to the locker room having re-established a two-score advantage at 17-7.

"We had a max-blitz called and I figured it would be either a quick slant or out, and I drifted to the outside," Harrison said after the game. "After that, it was just a matter of determination and will, and there were 10 other guys helping me to get to the end zone."

The Steelers pushed that lead to 13 in the second half, fell behind by three with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and then rallied for the eventual game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds to play.

"The turnover right before the half hurt," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Harrison's play. "We fought back and overcame that. The penalties, we allowed them to extend their drives. It was unfortunate there were that many penalties called."

In the second quarter, the Cardinals had positioned themselves to climb out of an early 10-0 hole and perhaps grab their first lead of the game prior to Harrison's heroics.

With the Steelers leading, 10-7, Cardinals linebacker Karlos Dansby intercepted a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger that had been deflected by nose tackle Bryan Robinson, and Arizona regained possession at the Steelers' 34-yard line with two minutes remaining in the first half.

The Cardinals moved 33 yards over the next seven snaps, and faced a first-and-goal at the Steelers' 1 with 18 seconds left before the break when the game changed.

With no timeouts left, quarterback Kurt Warner tried to hit wide receiver Anquan Boldin on an inside route.

Boldin cut behind wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, but Harrison dropped into coverage, stepped in front of Boldin, picked off the pass at the goal line and headed upfield.

As it turned out, the Cardinals were not properly aligned on the play.

"We're supposed to be in a spread alignment there," said Todd Haley, Cardinals' offensive coordinator. "It got a little tight, but 92 (Harrison) made a great play and we were unable to get him down."

Harrison got a block from cornerback Deshea Townsend while running through Warner and managed to stay in front of pursuing tight end Leonard Pope. As Harrison churned up the sideline, he got a block from linebacker LaMarr Woodley on running back Tim Hightower and avoided the desperation dive of offensive tackle Mike Gandy.

Still advancing relentlessly toward the goal line, Harrison managed to split wide receivers Steve Breaston and Fitzgerald to remain upright until he was driven to the ground head-first on the opposite goal line.

As the replay review that confirmed the touchdown was conducted, Harrison stayed down in the end zone, apparently exhausted.

Harrison had maintained during media day festivities Tuesday that the Steelers were planning to use him more in coverage than as a pass rusher against Warner.

"This is what we've been doing all week," Harrison said.