SAN FRANCISCO, 19 November 2003 — Tim Rattay fired two touchdown passes and Kevan Barlow rumbled for another to help the San Francisco 49ers pound the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-14 on Monday.
The victory improved San Francisco’s record to 5-5 and kept their postseason aspirations alive. The Steelers slumped to 3-7 and out of the playoff picture.
Rattay, who tossed three TDs against the St. Louis Rams two weeks ago, followed up with two more in his second career start, hitting Terrell Owens with a 61-yard strike in the first quarter and Fred Beasley from 28 yards in the third.
Barlow also scampered for a 78-yard touchdown, the longest run from scrimmage by the 49ers in five years. But he was later forced out of the game with a concussion.
A reserve for three seasons after being drafted 212th overall in 2000, Rattay finished the night by completing 21-of-27 pass attempts for 254 yards.
Rattay’s favorite target was his All-Pro receiver Owens, who hauled in eight catches for 155 yards. Kicker Todd Peterson accounted for the rest of the San Fran scoring, chipping in with three field goals from 22, 32 and 44 yards.
Before the near sellout crowd of 67,877 had settled into their seats, Rattay had them on their feet when he found a streaking Owens down the left sideline to give San Francisco a 7-0 first-quarter lead.
Peterson accounted for all the scoring in a quiet second quarter, booting the first of his three field goals to send the home team into the break ahead 10-0. The first half shutout provided the perfect stage for a halftime ceremony as the 49ers retired the No. 42 jersey of Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, rated one of the greatest defensive backs and most feared hitters to play in the NFL.
The shutout, however, only lasted until the first Steelers possession of the second half, Tommy Maddox directing a nine-play, 73-yard touchdown drive that was capped by Jerome Bettis driving over from one yard.
