Hoying Stands, Delivers Against Steeler Pressure

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles finally might have found a quarterback who can lead them out of NFC East darkness and into the playoffs.

Bobby Hoying, making only his second NFL start, completed 15 of 31 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions to lead the Eagles to a 23-20 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

“Bobby has the tools: the arm and the presence on the field,” said Eagle wide receiver Irving Fryar, who had seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. “He’s got everything you need to be a presence in the future in the NFL.”

Philadelphia improved to 5-6-1, with all five victories coming at Veterans Stadium. Pittsburgh, which had won seven of its previous eight, fell to 8-4 but retained its share of the AFC Central lead because Jacksonville also lost.

Hoying was calm in the pocket as he faced the blitz-happy Steelers. He threw the ball long, something the Eagles couldn’t do with Ty Detmer or Rodney Peete. He threw the ball hard, zipping it between defenders. And he threw it well on the run when he was flushed from the pocket.

“It’s fun to finally be playing again,” said Hoying, a star at Ohio State who had been the third-stringer until last Sunday’s 10-10 tie with Baltimore. “When you sit out and don’t play for 1 1/2 years, it’s frustrating.”

Pittsburgh quarterback Kordell Stewart, meanwhile, struggled in the first half--completing only four of 18 passes for 37 yards. He finished 20 of 43 for 294 yards and two touchdowns but had three interceptions as the Eagles collected a season-high five turnovers.

“Everything was just one play away from making something happen,” Stewart said.