NFL game summary for 01/21/1979:
This was more than just the first rematch in Super Bowl history; it re-staged what many still consider the most enjoyable and dramatic Super Bowl battle to that point, X. Opportunity -- recognizing it and capitalizing on it -- was the theme of the day. Failure to embrace it would play a hand, too.
There were moments when Dallas appeared ready to control the game. The Cowboys took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter when linebacker Mike Hegman simply took the ball away from Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw and ran 37 yards to score. And in the third quarter, trailing 21-14, Dallas marched from its 42 to the Steelers' 10. On third and three, Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach saw tight end Jackie Smith alone in the end zone. Smith slipped and fell reaching for Staubach's pass and couldn't hold it. Rafael Septien kicked a 27-yard field goal.
Pittsburgh scored two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter -- a 22-yard run by Franco Harris and an 18-yard pass from Bradshaw to Swann. Harris' score followed a pass interference call against Dallas cornerback Benny Barnes, covering Swann. The mistake cost the Cowboys 33 yards. Frantically, albeit courageously, Dallas scored touchdowns with 2:23 and 0:22 to play, on passes from Staubach to tight end Billy Joe DuPree and Butch Johnson.
Said Steelers running back Rocky Bleier: "I give credit to Dallas because they didn't quit out there today. They kept our defense on the field during the fourth quarter. Man, they really gave us a scare!" With the victory, the Steelers became the first team to win three Super Bowls, and head coach Chuck Noll the first to pull it off. The teams set a Super Bowl record for points scored.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 143.6 (14) | 168.7 (12) | 312.2 (8) | 39 |
| DEFENSE | 110.9 (2) | 149.6 (12) | 260.5 (3) | 48 | |
 | OFFENSE | 173.9 (3) | 198.5 (3) | 372.4 (2) | 35 |
| DEFENSE | 107.6 (1) | 143.0 (5) | 250.6 (2) | 36 |
Line: Steelers by 3½
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers (17-2-0) | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Dallas Cowboys (14-5-0) | 7 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
PIT DAL
First Downs: 19 20
Rushes-yards: 24-66 32-141
Yards/rush: 2.8 4.4
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 17-30-318-1 17-30-228-1
Sacked-yards: 4-27 5-52
Net pass yards: 291 176
Net yards/pass: 8.6 5.0
Total net yards: 357 317
Total plays: 58 (41% run) 67 (47% run)
Yards/play: 6.2 4.7
Fumbles-lost: 2-2 3-2
Turnovers: 3 3
Penalties-yards: 5-35 9-89
Attendance: 79,484
PIT: Terry Bradshaw, 17 of 30 for 318 yards and 4 TDs (1 int) DAL: Roger Staubach, 17 of 30 for 228 yards and 3 TDs (1 int)
Rushing:
PIT: Franco Harris, 20 for 68 yards and 1 TD; Rocky Bleier, 2 for 3 yards; Terry Bradshaw, 2 for -5 yards DAL: Tony Dorsett, 16 for 96 yards; Robert Newhouse, 8 for 3 yards; Roger Staubach, 4 for 37 yards; Scott Laidlaw, 3 for 12 yards; Preston Pearson, 1 for 6 yards
Receiving:
PIT: Lynn Swann, 7 for 124 yards and 1 TD; John Stallworth, 3 for 115 yards and 2 TDs; Randy Grossman, 3 for 29 yards; Theo Bell, 2 for 21 yards; Franco Harris, 1 for 22 yards; Rocky Bleier, 1 for 7 yards and 1 TD DAL: Tony Dorsett, 5 for 44 yards; Drew Pearson, 4 for 73 yards; Tony Hill, 2 for 49 yards and 1 TD; Butch Johnson, 2 for 30 yards and 1 TD; Billy Joe DuPree, 2 for 17 yards and 1 TD; Preston Pearson, 2 for 15 yards
Kick returns:
PIT: Larry Anderson, 3 for 45 yards DAL: Butch Johnson, 3 for 63 yards; Larry Brinson, 2 for 41 yards; Randy White, 1 for 0 yards
Punt returns:
PIT: Theo Bell, 4 for 27 yards DAL: Butch Johnson, 2 for 33 yards
Interceptions:
PIT: Mel Blount, 1 for 13 yards DAL: D.D. Lewis, 1 for 21 yards
Punting:
PIT: Craig Colquitt, 3 for 129 yards DAL: Danny White, 5 for 198 yards
Field Goals:
PIT: Roy Gerela, 0/1 DAL: Rafael Septien, 1/1