Watch: Calvin Austin III Takes 73-Yard Punt Return to House vs. Giants
The Pittsburgh Steelers special teams continue to play lights out this season. After three straight games with a blocked field goal or blocked punt, Danny Smith’s special teams unit can now add a punt return for a touchdown to their list of achievements.
Calvin Austin III broke through with a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Steelers a 16-9 lead over the New York Giants at the 4:38 mark of the third quarter of Monday night’s game. It was the first touchdown of the game for both teams.
It also marked the first punt return for a touchdown by the Steelers since Diontae Johnson’s 85-yarder against the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 8, 2019. It was the first special teams touchdown for Pittsburgh since the season opener against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 of the 2021 season, which was a 9-yard return by Ulysees Gilbert off a blocked punt by Miles Killebrew.
73-yard house call. So much speed đ„ @CalvinAustinIII pic.twitter.com/lWfaEHVVAi
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024
Early in the fourth quarter, Calvin Austin III caught a 29-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson to give the Steelers a 23-9 lead. It was Austin’s third touchdown of the year. He also caught a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Justin Fields in the Steelers’ Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Austin is the fifth player in Steelers history with a receiving touchdown and punt return for a touchdown in the same game.
Russell Wilson drops it in a đȘŁ for Calvin Austin III's second TD of the night!
đș: #NYGvsPIT on ESPN/ABC/ESPN2
đ±: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/KWAglgI9WV— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2024
Coming into Week 8, returners had just 10 returns for 33 yards on the year against the Steelers. Danny Smithâs special teams unit has been elite in all phases this season. The Steelers have built a special teams culture in Pittsburgh.
“I only want to work where itâs important,â Smith said earlier this week. âThere are some places itâs not as important. Itâs becoming more important throughout the league.
âThey work their (butt) off for me. They do. They really do, and that ainât easy and that doesnât happen everywhere. Iâve been different places and seen different setups and cultures. These guys are special, they really are. I just love being around these guys. I love it. I truly love it.â
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.
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