Steelers Throwback Thursday: Most TD’s in a single game record
Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.
It’s not rare for individual players to score multiple touchdowns in a single game in the National Football League. Rarely, however, has a single player for the Pittsburgh Steelers scored four touchdowns in one performance. In fact, just three players have achieved that accomplishment, a franchise record.
We look at the games the Steelers team records were made in and the trio who tied in setting those records.
Ray Mathews
Mathews, wearing No. 25, drafted 81st overall out of Clemson by the Steelers in 1951, played in the “dark ages” of the franchise, but found a way to give nine glorious seasons to Pittsburgh. The McKeesport native played what is the flanker position in the offense in today’s NFL. In three consecutive seasons, Mathews led the team in receptions for Walt Kiesling‘s Steelers between 1954-56.
First to set the franchise’s single-game touchdowns record of four, Mathews did so against the Cleveland Browns in the first victory the Steelers had over their nearby rival, ever. In the 1954 win, 55-27, Mathews scored three receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. The longest touchdown was a 78-yard catch and run off of a Jim Finks pass.
Roy Jefferson
No. 87 chose the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) over the San Diego Chargers (AFL) who both drafted Jefferson (Utah) in 1965. The Los Angeles-area native became the first ever “team MVP” in Steelers history and earned the nickname “Sweet Pea.”
In 1968, against the Atlanta Falcons, Jefferson had an outstanding game that tied Mathews’ single-game touchdowns record.
Roy Jefferson’s 4 TD game
Jefferson’s big day in Atlanta in 1968 tied the franchise record for most TD’s in a game with Ray Mathews (1954).
This was not tied again until Chase Claypool did it 52 years later. pic.twitter.com/tCteLLD0q1
— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) March 25, 2024
Chase Claypool
Nicknamed “Mapletron” by fans, Claypool was drafted 49th overall by the Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft. On October 11 of that year, the then rookie wideout went off against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Claypool not only tied Mathews and Jefferson with four touchdowns in a single game, but he did so by scoring one touchdown in four different quarters of the 38-29 victory at Heinz Field. The first touchdown was a two-yard rush into the end zone. The other three were all off of passes from Ben Roethlisberger.
