Cleveland, OH

Rookie running back Trent Richardson scored the go-ahead touchdown run, carrying the Cleveland Browns to a 20-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Richardson finished with 85 yards on 29 carries for his sixth rushing score of the season while quarterback Brandon Weeden completed 17 of 26 passes for 158 yards to help the Browns improve to 3-8 and drop the Steelers to 6-5.

Weeden was hurt in the fourth quarter and left the game with a head injury. Colt McCoy played the final two series and didn't throw a pass.

Wide receiver Josh Gordon tallied 60 yards on four receptions and Richardson added 27 yards on four catches for the Browns.

The Browns' defense was also outstanding, forcing eight turnovers, including fumbles by Steelers running backs Rashard Mendenhall, Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman and Chris Rainey. Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson led the way with nine tackles.

Browns kicker Phil Dawson converted from 28 and 32 yards to remain perfect for the season (21-of-21). Dawson extended his streak to 27 straight field goals, which ties a career high.

Charlie Batch, who was forced to start after injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich, struggled in his first start since last December, going 19-of-33 for 188 yards. He was picked off three times, twice in the fourth period, to slip to 5-3 as a fill-in starter.

The Steelers' rushing corps was limited to just 49 yards by the Browns, with Jonathan Dwyer leading the way with just 19 yards on nine carries.

In the first period, Pittsburgh linebacker Lawrence Timmons returned a Weeden interception 53 yards for a touchdown, giving the Steelers a 7-0 lead.

Dawson converted a 28-yard field goal to draw the Browns within three points of the Steelers, 7-3.

In the second quarter, Weeden found tight end Jordan Cameron with a five-yard touchdown pass to put the Browns ahead before Dawson added another field goal for a 13-7 advantage.

A late touchdown run by Chris Rainey put the Steelers ahead, 14-13, at the break.

In the third, Richardson rushed for a 15-yard touchdown to cap a three-play, 31-yard drive to give the Browns the lead for good.

 

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