Kenny Pickett throws 72-yard TD to Calvin Austin III, overtaking 'Immaculate Reception' as longest Steelers score vs. Raiders
Kenny Pickett made history on Sunday in Las Vegas.
Pickett launched a 72-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III in the first quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, which tied their game 7-7.
That deep ball, which found a wide-open Austin in the middle of the field at Allegiant Stadium, is the longest touchdown pass the Steelers have scored against the Raiders in team history.
Can't Catch Cal living up to his nickname on this 72-yard TD run. @CalvinAustinIII | @Raiders
📺: #PITvsLV on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/oKZBIH1Rly pic.twitter.com/JCnMrQqz3q— NFL (@NFL) September 25, 2023
While a 72-yard touchdown pass isn’t the longest in league history by any means — there have been several 99-yard touchdown receptions — it marks a big moment in Steelers history. The touchdown overtook the iconic “Immaculate Reception" as the longest the team has ever scored against the Raiders.
The “Immaculate Reception," which Terry Bradshaw threw to Franco Harris in the 1972 playoffs, is one of the most famous touchdowns in NFL history. Bradshaw, with the Steelers down late in the fourth quarter and facing a deep fourth down, had his pass tipped, and Harris scooped it up and ran it into the end zone to win the game and send the team to the AFC championship game.
RIP Franco Harris
The immaculate reception happened 50 years ago this week.
pic.twitter.com/T9FXJPvs3y— McNeil (@Reflog_18) December 21, 2022
Harris died last year at 72, just days before the 50th anniversary of the play.
The Steelers and the Raiders both entered Sunday's game at 1-1 on the season. The touchdown was Austin's first of the season. The 24-year-old, whom the Steelers took in the fourth round of last year's draft, entered the game with 47 yards on seven receptions this season.
The Steelers held on late to take the 23-18 win despite a surge from the Raiders in the fourth quarter. Pickett finished the night throwing 16-of-28 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Austin finished with two catches for 72 yards.