Steelers Win Forgettable Game for Noll

If it was Chuck Noll’s final game as the Pittsburgh Steeler coach, he will take it for the victory. But not for the memory.

In a game marked by botched scoring opportunities and poor field goal kicking, Pittsburgh quarterback Bubby Brister had one bright moment when connected with Dewight Stone on a 65-yard touchdown pass play in the third quarter that helped the Steelers secure a 17-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

The victory assured the Steelers (7-9) of second place in the AFC Central and sealed a 6-10 record for Browns Coach Bill Belichick in his rookie season.

Noll, who is considering retirement after 23 seasons as coach of the Steelers, gave no indication about what he would do. He said only that he would meet this week with Pittsburgh president Don Rooney to discuss the team’s--and his--future.

“I know I’m hoping he comes back . . . I think he’ll come back,” tackle Tunch Ilkin said. “I can’t see anybody else coaching this team.”

Richard Shelton’s 57-yard interception return for a touchdown with 9:28 remaining--the second of his three interceptions--gave Pittsburgh a 17-3 lead and appeared to ice the Browns’ 18th loss in 22 seasons at Three Rivers Stadium. Bernie Kosar had only five interceptions all season before Shelton increased it to eight.

Shelton’s touchdown proved important when Kosar, who completed 28 of 49 passes for 335 yards, connected with Michael Jackson on a 27-yard touchdown pass play with 6:56 remaining that made the score, 17-10. The Browns then drove inside the Steelers’ 30 twice in the final 2 1/2 minutes, but failed to score.

Kosar drove the Browns to a first down at Pittsburgh’s 26 with 2:06 left before Shelton stopped the drive with an interception in the end zone. The Browns then drove to the 13 with six seconds left, but Greg Lloyd sacked Kosar for a seven-yard loss on the game’s final play.

The score was 3-3 until Brister, who had completed only six of 24 passes, found Stone for the go-ahead score on the final play of the third quarter. Brister finished seven of 26 for 113 yards and no interceptions.