Good morning, Pittsburgh. Here’s your day in sports for Thursday, September 24, 2015.
What’s on tap for today:
Pirates (92-60) will have an afternoon contest against against the Colorado Rockies (63-80). Despite earning a playoff berth last night, the Bucs still have work to do, as they trail the St. Louis Cardinals by four games in the NL Central. Jeff Locke will make what could be his final start of his season against Chad Bettis at 3:10 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
The Penguins (2-0-0) look to continue their winning ways this preseason when they visit the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Evegni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist and Beau Bennett will headline the Pens traveling squad. Faceoff is at 7:30 p.m. ROOT Sports Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh headlines:
It was another “Merry Clinchmas” for Pirates fans as the Bucs earned their playoff berth on September 23 for the third year in a row.
Steelers wide receiver Darrius Hayward-Bey’s hands have let him down in the past, but he had better not let this opportunity slip through his fingers, writes our Andrew Hodgson.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was honored as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the 49ers on Sunday.
The Black and Gold will face a familiar foe next Sunday, as former Pitt Panthers defensive end Aaron Donald will anchor the St. Louis Rams defensive line.
Returning to the fold for the Steelers will be running back Le’Veon Bell, whose two-game suspension has ended. In order to add him to the roster, the team released wide receiver Tyler Murphy on Wednesday.
The Penguins made a pair of roster moves on Wednesday, sending down right-wingers Tom Kostopoulos and Jaden Lindo. Kostopoulos will report to minor-league camp in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he is the AHL team’s captain. Lindo will return to his junior team, the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL.
It took a quarter of the season, but Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi finally named a starting quarterback, and he’s going with Nate Peterman.
Former Bishop Canevin LW Liam Walsh is taking his game to the USHL, as the 16-year old looks to break out in Tier-1 junior hockey.
On this date in 1978, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns in overtime by a score of 15-9. Tight end Bennie Cunningham (right) scored the game-winning touchdown on a 37-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw.
It was the second overtime game played and first overtime victory in franchise history. The NFL had just implemented overtime for regular season games in 1974.
He said it: “Act like you’ve been here before.” — Pirates centerfielder Andrew McCutchen on the team’s more modest celebration this season.
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Pirates
