Rashard Mendenhall Anchors Steelers’ Rushing Attack

The New York Jets were quite effective in shutting down the Pittsburgh Steelers passing game in the AFC Championship Game on January 23rd, holding the Steelers to just 121 passing yards and no touchdowns, but on the ground it was another story.  Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown in the 24-19 Pittsburgh victory that sent the Steelers to Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers.  In his third year in the NFL, Mendenhall is emerging not only as a key part of the Steelers’ offense but also as one of the better running backs in the NFL.

Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 1273 yards and 13 touchdowns in the 2010 season.  He rushing yardage was seventh best in the NFL, and he was tied for second in rushing touchdowns.  He rushed for over 1100 yards and scored seven touchdowns, plus one more on a pass, in 2009.  Mendenhall, who played his college ball at Illinois, was the Steelers’ first round draft choice in 2008.  He had rushed for almost 1700 yards and scored 17 rushing touchdowns for Illinois in 2007.

This will be the second Super Bowl for Mendenhall.  He was a rookie with the Steelers in 2008, but was injured early on in the season and watched Pittsburgh’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals from the sidelines.  Not so this year, as Mendenhall follows in the footsteps of great Steelers running backs in Super Bowls of the past, like Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis.  Just keep an eye out for that Clay Matthews fellow on the Packers, Rashard.

Popularity: 1%

Tags: clay, football, franco, green bay packers, jerome, NFL, pittsburgh steelers, rashard, super bowl