National Football League

Ward moves past Bettis on Steelers' touchdown list

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:17 a.m. ET

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With Jerome Bettis watching from a private box at Heinz Field, Hines Ward surpassed the former Steelers' great in career touchdowns Sunday afternoon.

Ward's 8-yard scoring reception in the third quarter gave him 81 touchdowns as a Steeler and moved him into sole possession of second place on the team's all-time list.

The only player ahead of Ward is Pro Football Hall of Famer Franco Harris, who scored 100 touchdowns for the Steelers from 1972-83.

"I'm going to let Franco be," Ward said following the Steelers' 28-10 win against the Cleveland Browns. "Even if I came close, you can't pass Franco. He's got a statue at the airport."

Ward holds most of the Steelers' major receiving records and yesterday he moved into fourth place on the NFL's list for consecutive games with at least one catch.

Ward's streak is at 183, and he moved past Hall of Famer Art Monk.

His touchdown catch -- one of five receptions he had against the Browns -- was vintage Ward.

He caught a Ben Roethlisberger pass near the 5-yard line and muscle his way into the end zone -- and past Bettis, his former teammate.

"He's somebody who I idolized growing up and was a mentor to me since I've been in the league," Ward said of Bettis. "Surpassing him is a great feeling."

QUOTABLE

"That's what defense is about, running to the ball and being physical. The biggest thing to me about the play on Cribbs is where James comes from. He's the backside end and to come that far to make that play, that's impressive. You're talking about a guy that's a defensive MVP, a Pro Bowler and still works like that and still finishes plays the way he does."

-- Ryan Clark

Steelers free safety, on the James Harrison hit that knocked Browns' multipurpose threat Josh Cribbs out of the game.

DIGITS

6 -- Consecutive home games in which running back Rashard Mendenhall has had at least one rushing touchdown.

38 -- Games in which quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has posted a passer rating of over 100.

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