SUPER CHARGERS Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries throws a pass against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game Time was running out on the 1994 San Diego Chargers They had made a surprise run to the American Football Conference AFC Championship Game But on the road against the heavily favored Pittsburgh Steelers the Chargers suffered a power outage The Steelers dominated the game well into the third quarter The Chargers offense could not get anything going But their defense kept the score close Pittsburgh led only 13 3 Late in the third quarter San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries found tight end Alfred Pupunu wide open for a 43 yard touchdown The Chargers were back in business
Now it was the Steelers turn to struggle on offense San Diego finally took advantage With just over five minutes left Humphries connected with wide receiver Tony Martin on another 43 yard touchdown pass to give the Chargers a 17 13 lead The Steelers had one last chance Quarterback Neil O Donnell drove them down to the Chargers 3 yard line On fourth down O Donnell threw a pass into the end zone Chargers linebacker Dennis Gibson dived in front of the receiver and knocked the ball away The Chargers were headed to their first Super Bowl Chargers defenders Leslie O Neal 91 and Chris Mims put the pressure on Steelers quarterback Neil O Donnell SMIW
Tony Martin right and Mark Seay celebrate Martin's go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Steelers Riddell FAST FACT The Chargers faced another heavily favored team in the Super Bowl They lost to the San Francisco 49ers 49 26
