Steelers Throwback Thursday: Big Ben and JuJu make history… twice!

Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.

Some records stand alone. Others are so remarkable that seeing them happen once feels like enough for a lifetime. Then there’s this tidbit from the Steelers archives, where a pair of players somehow managed to do the same thing twice!

On two different occasions, Ben Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster connected for a 97-yard touchdown pass, tying the longest passing play in franchise history. Even more incredible, both plays began from the Steelers’ own 3-yard line, leaving almost no room for error before turning into unforgettable moments.

Nearly every great quarterback-receiver duo has produced memorable long touchdowns. Few can say they duplicated the exact same franchise record just 13 months apart.

Highlights from @TeamJuJu’s historic night:

7 Receptions, 193 Yards, 1 TD pic.twitter.com/HpJT6pMQzq

— Jimmy (@Dorkewicz) October 30, 2017

October 29, 2017: The First 97-Yarder

The Steelers hosted the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football needing a spark in what had become a defensive battle.

Backed up at their own 3-yard line, Roethlisberger took the snap and found rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster crossing over the middle. Once Smith-Schuster slipped through the first level of defenders, there was nothing but open field ahead.

The rookie turned on the jets, outrunning the Detroit secondary for a 97-yard touchdown that instantly became the longest touchdown reception in Steelers history.

For Smith-Schuster, it served as his national coming-out party. The second-round pick finished the game with seven catches for 193 yards and a touchdown as Pittsburgh defeated the Lions 20-15.

https://x.com/CouchGuySports/status/1067064157684547584

November 25, 2018: Doing the Impossible Again

One year later, history repeated itself.

Facing the Denver Broncos, the Steelers once again found themselves pinned at their own 3-yard line. Once again, Roethlisberger found Smith-Schuster with room to run.

This time, Smith-Schuster caught the pass over the middle, split the defense, outran everyone to the end zone, and remarkably tied the very franchise record he had helped establish the previous season.

Unfortunately, the result wasn’t the same as with the Lions, as the Steelers fell on the road 24-17.

Embed from Getty Images

A Franchise Record That Still Stands

The odds of producing one 97-yard touchdown are incredibly slim. Producing two with the same quarterback and receiver, beginning from the exact same spot on the field, borders on unbelievable.

Despite decades of Hall of Fame quarterbacks and elite receivers, no Steelers duo has ever eclipsed those two plays. The franchise record remains 97 yards, shared by two nearly identical connections between Roethlisberger and Smith-Schuster.

Roethlisberger would go on to set an NFL record with four touchdown passes covering at least 90 yards during his career.