Teammates Praise Steelers CB for Clutch INT: ‘How about Cory Trice?’

DENVER — Pittsburgh Steelers second-year cornerback Cory Trice’s clutch red zone interception in the third quarter was the play of the game in Sunday’s 13-6 win over the Denver Broncos. In a seven-point win, that was the difference. 

It also marked Trice’s first career interception. After missing his entire rookie season due to an ACL injury, Trice’s teammates were thrilled for him to get rewarded with a game-changing interception.

“Cory stepped up in the moment,” defensive tackle Cam Heyward said. “What a heck of a way for a guy who was hurt all last year to be ready for that moment and make a big play for us and keep seven (points) off the board.”

Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt was also proud of Trice.

“How about Cory Trice? All that he’s been able overcome. Just seeing all the work he puts in, to see him get that interception is huge,” Watt said.

Heyward forced Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix to throw an errant pass on Trice’s interception. The Steelers got after Nix throughout the game.

“We felt like we were getting close all day long. Applying the pressure,” Watt said. “To have Cory make a play like that in a big-time moment was huge, but we’re not surprised. We love making plays, we love seeing who’s going to make plays, we know there’s plays to be made. We’re not trying too hard to do a little bit more than what we’re supposed to. We’re trusting each other and I think we’re going to get only better as a defense.”

Nix’s pass was ill-advised. It’s one that I’m sure he’ll be kicking himself over when he watches the film. Trice was even surprised that he threw it.

“Whenever I saw everyone was in their right spots underneath, it gave me the room to be able to read the quarterback and see where he was going,” Trice said. “I was like, ‘Oh, he’s going to throw the ball.’ He really threw it. It was crazy.”

Trice thinks the defense made a statement by allowing only six points in the win. The defense has allowed just 16 points in their first two games.

“We ain’t trying to give up nothing,” Trice said.

Trice is already thinking about the next game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“It feels great, but we definitely got more work to do,” Trice said. “We’re gonna enjoy it tonight, but then tomorrow we’re gonna analyze the tape and continue for the Chargers.”

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Denver.