Baltimore Sun
Super Bowl XLV Steelers-Packers: Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25 (final)
A dramatic second half comes to a close as the Steelers turn the ball over on downs, giving the Packers their fourth Super Bowl victory.
Athan Atsales
10:08 PM EST, February 6, 2011
On fourth and five from the Pittsburgh 33-yard line, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's pass to receiver Mike Wallace was high and went off his hands for an incomplete pass as Tramon Williams was on coverage.
The Packers take over on downs and proceed to run out the clock.
Final score: Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25.
That's Super Bowl Ring No. 4 for Green Bay.
A huge 44-yard pass to from Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to receiver Greg Jennings on third and 10 from the Green Bay 31-yard line set up three more points for the Packers.
They proceeded to drive to to the Pittsburgh five before Jordy Nelson was unable to stretch to grab a pass in the right-corner of the end zone on third down. Sam Shields was covering for the Steelers.
Mason Crosby kicked a 23-yard field goal with 2:07 left to put the Packers ahead by six.
Green Bay 31, Pittsburgh 25.
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Pittsburgh receiver Mike Wallace got behind the Packers' Sam Shields to grab a 25-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 7:34 remaining.
Green Bay safety Nick Collins was late coming over in coverage as Wallace grabbed the ball just before the goal line and cruised in. The drive covered 66 yards on seven plays.
Then Steelers receiver Antwaan Randal-El ran in a two-point conversion on an option pitch by Roethlisberger.
Green Bay 28, Pittsburgh 25.
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Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit receiver Greg Jennings on an eight-yard touchdown pass to the right-corner of the end zone, beating the coverage of Steelers safety Troy Polamalu.
The big play on the Packers' eight-play, 55-yard drive was a 38-yard pass from Rodgers to Jordy Nelson that set up Green Bay at the two-yard line. Rodgers was sacked for a six-yard loss before the touchdown pass.
Green Bay 28, Pittsburgh 17, with 11:51 left in the fourth quarter.
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Packers defensive end Ryan Pickett and linebacker Clay Matthews combined to jar the football loose from the hands of Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall.
Green Bay linebacker Desmond Bishop recovered the loose ball on the Packes' 45-yard line.
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With the exchange of kicks and some Green Bay penalties, the Steelers were able to switch field position in their favor.
As the third quarter ends the Steelers are in Packers' territory behind by four points. If Pittsburgh can claim the victory, it would be the largest deficit overcome in Super Bowl history at 18 points.
Green Bay 21, Pittsburgh 17.
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The Steelers had a chance to move within a point, but Pittsburgh kicker Shaun Suisham pulled a 52-yard field goal attempt with 4:30 to go in the third quarter.
On a third-and-13 play before the field-goal attempt, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had plenty of time to pass but no one was open and Packers linebacker Frank Zombo finally sacked the quarterback for a loss of two yards.
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On Pittsburgh's first possession of the second half, the Steelers ran five consecutive times for 50 yards.
Rashard Mendenhall covered the last eight yards to paydirt and Pittsburgh moved to within four points with 10:19 to go in the third quarter.
Green Bay 21, Pittsburgh 17.
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Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finds receiver Hines Ward in the right corner of the end zone, after he lost defensive back Jarrett Bush with a fish-tail-like move, for an eight-yard touchdown reception.
Green Bay 21, Pittsburgh 10, with 39 seconds left in the half.
Pittsburgh drove 77 yards on seven plays in 1:45. After the kickoff, the Packers ran out the clock.
The Packers opt to run out the clock after Pittsburgh's ensuing kickoff.
Halftime: Green Bay 21, Pittsburgh 10.
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With good protection, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hits receiver Greg Jennings on a 21-yard post pattern between three Steelers playing zone.
The Steelers' Ryan Clark came within inches of tipping the pass away and safety Troy Polamalu hit Jennings after the catch but couldn't prevent him from reaching the end zone.
The Packers drove 53 yards on four plays for the score.
With 2:31 left in the half, Green Bay 21, Pittsburgh 3.
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Ben Roethlisberger completed a pass to Antwaan Randle El to move the Steelers across the 50-yard line for the second time.
But two plays later, the Packers' Jarrett Bush stepped in front of a pass intended for Pittsburgh receiver Mike Wallace and intercepted it at the Green Bay 47 with 4:28 left in the half.
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Shaun Suisham puts the Pittsburgh Steelers on the scoreboard with a 33-yard field goal with 11:53 to go in the first half.
Pittsburgh drove 49 yards in 13 plays, with the drive stalling on the Packers' 15-yard line.
Green Bay 14, Pittsburgh 3.
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Under pressure, Ben Roethlisberger scrambles through the middle of the pocket and races toward the left sideline to the Packers' 32-yard line, moving the Steelers across the 50 for the first time.
End of first quarter, Green Bay 14, Pittsburgh 0
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With the Steelers snapping the ball from the eight-yard line, Packers defensive tackle Howard Green pushed the pocket back and hit Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he released a pass. The throw fell way short of receiver Mike Wallace, who was being covered by Tramon Williams.
Packers safety Nick Collins stepped in, front of Wallace and Williams, caught the floating pass and returned it 37 yards for another Green Bay touchdown.
The Packers were penalized for excessive celebration, but now lead 14-0 with 3:34 to go in the first quarter.
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Despite pressure from his right side, with LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior making life difficult for Green Bay tackle Brian Bulaga, Aaron Rodgers drove the Packers across the 50 (a game first for either side) and then connected with Jordy Nelson on a 29-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.
Nelson ran past Pittsburgh's William Gay, who was half a step behind Nelson, who grabbed the pass just before the end zone and scored. Green Bay leads 7-0 with 3:51 to go in the first quarter.
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The Packers averted disaster on the game's first punt when Tramon Williams muffed the kick but was able to recover after a wild scramble on the Green Bay 21-yard line.
Teammate Sam Shields was close to Williams when he fielded the punt and seemed to distract the returner. Pittsburgh's Keenan Lewis was also nearby but couldn't come up with the loose ball.
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Lea Michele of the television show "Glee" sang America the Beautiful and Christina Aguilera sang the Star-Spangled Banner, giving the players and coaches another set of goose-pimples on the sideline. A few tears were shed too.
The Green Bay Packers won the coin toss and decided to kick off, meaning they will receive the ball to start the second half.
The Steelers be moving from right to left on your sensory produced Blogosphere Stadium field. The Steelers are wearing white and the Packers green.
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