RAM NOTEBOOK : Carom Helps Zendejas Set Field-Goal Record

The long-range numbers are staggering for kicker Tony Zendejas, who hits the ball like John Daly, and yet somehow keeps it in the fairway between the uprights.

Zendejas set a Ram record Sunday with a 54-yard effort in the third quarter, and then added a 50-yarder in the fourth quarter.

He now has connected on 13 of 17 career field-goal attempts from 50 yards or beyond, making him the NFL’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage from that distance (.765).

Zendejas’ overall percentage is .750 (153 of 204).

“It’s hard to explain why I kick so well at 50 yards or more,” Zendejas said. “But making the long ones is great because it gives the team a lift.”

Zendejas’ record kick, which topped two 52-yarders from Mike Lansford in 1985, flicked off the right upright and glanced successfully over the crossbar.

“I wasn’t aware that it was a record,” Zendejas said. “But I was due for a lucky one. I’ve had maybe 10 field-goal tries in my career that have hit the upright and bounced back out. So I’ll take one that goes in.”

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Running back David Lang, who injured a knee in training camp, stood on the sideline in street clothes Sunday, but that didn’t stop him from getting involved.

In the second half, Steeler tight end Adrian Cooper caught a short pass and was run out of bounds and into the Rams’ bench area.

“He hit me,” said Lang, who retaliated with a punch of his own.

The officials called offsetting penalties on the pair, but that didn’t keep Lang from getting an earful of discipline from Coach Chuck Knox.

“I told him: David, you’re not supposed to do that,” Knox said.

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The Rams are 14-5-2 against the Steelers in a series that began in 1938. They also are undefeated in nine home games against the Steelers, 7-0 at the Coliseum and 2-0 at Anaheim Stadium.

The Steelers won the previous matchup, 41-10, a Monday night game in 1990 at Pittsburgh. The Rams have outscored the Steelers, 233-109 in the series.

The last shutout recorded by the Rams came under almost identical circumstances a year ago. After being blown out in the opener in Buffalo, 40-7, the Rams returned home and shut out New England, 14-0.

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Running back Cleveland Gary left the game with a thigh bruise, leaving the door open for rookie Jerome Bettis to step into the starting lineup.

“It was a freak thing,” said Gary, who ran 14 times for 30 yards, including a six-yard touchdown, and caught six passes for 36 yards. “I took a helmet in the wrong spot.”

Bettis relieved Gary and ran 16 times for 76 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown.

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Linebacker Tom Homco didn’t learn until shortly before the game that he would be making his first NFL start in place of injured Shane Conlan (groin).

“It was a relief,” said Homco, who collected his first interception on a pass tipped by teammate Roman Phifer. “It was better than all the anticipation of will I start or won’t I start.”

Homco was credited with seven tackles.

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Tight end Troy Drayton, who had his first NFL touchdown, took a teeth-rattling hit from Steeler linebacker Greg Lloyd with seven seconds remaining in the first half. Drayton appeared to have caught a short pass across the middle, but Lloyd’s hit forced him to drop the ball.

“I believe that was my introduction to the NFL,” Drayton said with a smile.

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Ironic Curtain: Pittsburgh’s defense held San Francisco to only one touchdown in the second half of a 24-13 loss last week.

Afterward, 49er quarterback Steve Young said to reporters: “The Steelers have a great defense. It will be interesting to see how many points teams can score against them the rest of the season.”

The Rams’ 27 points gave Young his first answer, and drew the ire of the Steeler defense.

“A loss like this will wake us up,” said defensive end Donald Evans. “This means we’re starting off on the bottom, and we’re going to have to build back up.”

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Ram offensive lineman Robert Jenkins spelled starting tackle Jackie Slater in the fourth quarter. Slater said his turf toe began bothering him after the Rams’ final touchdown.

“I’ve often told Jackie that there will never be another guy play 18 years in this day and age,” said Jenkins, who’s in his eighth year and lockers next to Slater. “You would probably lose a few brain cells with all the head-on collisions.”

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Quotebook: Pittsburgh Coach Bill Cowher on the Steelers’ loss: “We didn’t play with any life at all. And I take full responsibility. I think we need to sit down, the coaches and the players, and take a long look in the mirror.”

Times Staff Writers John Weyler and Mike Reilley contributed to this story.