Editing Super Bowl IX (section)

===Second quarter===
The Steelers forced another Vikings punt to start the second quarter and got the ball back on their own 14. On 3rd-and-4, Bradshaw completed a 21-yard pass to wide receiver [[Lynn Swann]], but this was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty on Swann. On the next play, safety [[Jeff Wright (defensive back)| Jeff Wright]] stripped the ball from Bleier, and safety [[Randy Poltl]] recovered the fumble at the Steelers' 24-yard line. The Vikings failed to capitalize on the turnover, as they could only move the ball 2 yards in their next three plays, and kicker [[Fred Cox]] missed a 39-yard field goal attempt wide right. On their next possession, the Steelers converted a 3rd-and-8 with the longest gain so far in the game, a 22-yard pass from Bradshaw to wide receiver [[John Stallworth]]. Pittsburgh could not get past the Minnesota 45 and were forced to punt, but Walden booted a 39-yarder, and wide receiver [[Sam McCullum]] did not allow the ball to reach the end zone, then failed to make a return and was downed at the Viking 7-yard line by Pittsburgh safety [[Donnie Shell]]. The first score of the game occurred two plays later, when running back [[Dave Osborn]] fumbled a handoff from quarterback [[Fran Tarkenton]] at the 10, and the ball rolled backward into the end zone. Tarkenton recovered the ball in the end zone to prevent a Steelers touchdown, but he was downed by defensive end [[Dwight White]] for a safety, giving Pittsburgh a 2–0 lead. It was the first safety scored in Super Bowl history. The Vikings forced a three-and-out, then got a chance to take their first lead of the game when Tarkenton led them on a 55-yard drive to the Steelers' 25-yard line from their own 20, aided by a pass interference penalty on cornerback [[Mel Blount]] and a 17-yard pass by Tarkenton that was bobbled and caught by running back [[Chuck Foreman]] on 3rd-and-8.<ref name="USA Today Super Bowl IX Play by Play">{{cite news|title=Super Bowl IX play-by-play|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nfl/super/superbowl-ix-plays.htm|work=USA Today|date=January 11, 2002|publisher=USATODAY.com}}</ref><ref name="Pitt Defense Super, 16-6">{{cite news|title=Pitt Defense, Franco's Runs Super, 16-6|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/super-bowl-ix-pitt-defense-franco-runs-super-16-6-article-1.1552404|work=NY Daily News|publisher=nydailynews.com}}</ref> With 1:17 left in the half, Tarkenton threw a pass to wide receiver [[John Gilliam]] at the 5-yard line, but Steelers safety [[Glen Edwards (safety)|Glen Edwards]] broke up the pass as Gilliam caught it, batting the ball high into the air and into the arms of Blount for an interception.

The half ended with the Steelers leading 2–0, the lowest halftime score in Super Bowl history and lowest possible, barring a scoreless tie.