Mendenhall has 80 yards, 2 touchdowns; Steelers lead Chargers 21-0 at halftime

Steelers lead Chargers 21-0 at halftime

PITTSBURGH — Rashard Mendenhall had 80 yards rushing and the first two touchdowns of his career and the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the San Diego Chargers 21-0 at halftime Sunday night.

Ben Roethlisberger was 15 for 19 for 204 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown pass to Mewelde Moore, for the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers, who have a 274-74 edge in total yards in dominating the Chargers (2-1).

The Chargers had only 9 rushing yards and four first downs. San Diego’s Philip Rivers was 6 for 15 for 65 yards.

Pittsburgh had the ball for 22:52 and had 19 first downs. Pittsburgh entered the game having lost two in a row for the first time since 2007, but is trying to move back to within a game of the lead in the AFC North.

Mendenhall, last season’s first-round pick, did not have a carry last week after coaches were upset with his preparation and performance during practice. Starting because of a toe injury to Willie Parker, Mendenhall scored on a 1-yard run on the opening drive after the Steelers went 79 yards in six plays. He also scored on a 2-yard run with 1:28 to play in the half to cap a 13-play, 79-yard drive.

Mendenhall entered the game with 103 career yards rushing on 26 carries in seven games. He had 16 carries Sunday and also a 20-yard reception.

Moore’s catch and run from the left flat on third-and-4 with 4:08 to play in the first quarter was part of an 11-play, 75-yard drive to make it 14-0.

The Steelers are also without Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu has missed the past three games with a knee injury.

This is the Chargers’ third appearance at Heinz Field in the past 11 months. San Diego lost 11-10 to Pittsburgh Nov. 16 and again 35-24 in an AFC divisional playoff game Jan. 11.