Steelers Beat Tampa Bay in Preseason Opener

PITTSBURGH, Pa – With veterans like Ben Roethlisberger, James Conner and Cam Heyward not in uniform for the Steelers’ preseason opener against Tampa Bay on Friday, it was up to the rest of the Steelers to move the team from training camp to actual game action.

They did just that as the Steelers earned 30-28 victory over Tampa Bay at Heinz Field.

Quarterback Josh Dobbs, who started and stayed in the game until late in the first half, went 5 for 8 for 85 yards. Dobbs also ran for 44 yards after twice deciding to keep the ball himself and scramble around the defense.

After a solid effort by Dobbs, it was second-year signal caller Mason Rudolph that was able to complete two touchdown passes. Rudolph hit fellow second-year man James Washington for an eight-yard score late in the first half and then rookie Zach Gentry from three yards out in the third quarter. Rudolph finished 5 of 8 for 91 yards.

Undrafted rookie Devlin Hodges finished the game at quarterback and was 8 of 14 for 79 yards and threw a touchdown to Tevin Jones.

Rookie running back Benny Snell received most of the work on the ground, finishing with 26 yards on 13 rush attempts.

Chris Boswell shook off the Heinz Field 2018 cobwebs with two successful field goals from 33 and 47 yards out. Rookie backup Matthew Wright connected on a 47-yarder.

Pittsburgh will host the Kansas City Chiefs next Saturday, Aug 17. The Steelers and Chiefs preseason game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network and locally on KDKA-TV.