PITTSBURGH — Fierce bolts of lightning ripped through the sky above Heinz Field Saturday night, delaying the Steelers’ preseason game with Miami for more than an hour.

After the game finally started, Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker appeared to be just as fast as Mother Nature’s pre-game light show when he shot through the Dolphins’ defense for a 37-yard gain that took the Steelers from the Miami 46 to the 9-yard line.

Later in the first quarter, Parker slashed across the field for a 21-yard run that pushed the Steelers from their own 33 to the Dolphins’ 46.

All told, the University of North Carolina product tallied 58 yards on six carries for a 9.7-yards-per-carry average. He also tacked on more yards by grabbing a 20-yard pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

His effort in the Steelers’ 17-3 victory over the Dolphins could go a long way toward helping the second-year pro in his battle to become the third-down back in support of Bettis and the injured Duce Staley.

Parker, however, prefers to view the bigger picture.

“I don’t know if (the big runs) was a statement,” he said. “I just want to let everyone know that I want to help the offense any way I can — catching the ball, running up the middle or running up the sideline.”

Steelers head coach Bill Cowher also was more concerned with the running game in general after it posted only 85 yards on 30 rushes when others carried the ball.

“I thought the running game came early in the first half. But that was sporadic. We never really got in sync,” Cowher said. “We had a couple of big runs by Willie, which make the stats look good. But if you look at the overall running game, it was not at the standard that we have set for ourselves.”

Still, Cowher said he was impressed by Parker’s limited amount of work Saturday.

“He’s the one guy on this team, if you can get him onto the field, he can give you a 35-, 40-yard run in a hurry,” the coach said. “He’s got explosive speed. We wanted to give him an early look in there with the (first) group. I liked what I saw.”

Starting running back Jerome Bettis also liked what he saw from Parker and liked that he took advantage of his carries with the first team.

“He looked real good tonight,” Bettis said. “He had a couple of really good runs. That’s what preseason’s for: for guys to get the opportunity to get in there and get some work.”

Another opportunity Parker has taken advantage of is watching and learning from a consummate veteran like Bettis.

“Every play, I go to the sideline and talk with Jerome, even in practice,” Parker said. “He gives me so much advice … to just go out there and do what I do.”

Parker said he is becoming more comfortable with running inside this season and credits his increasing patience in that regard. He’s also aware that it will be an important tool to employ as he waits for his chance to play more with the first team.”

“You’ve got to be patient,” he said. “There’s some great guys in front of me, so I have to be patient with everything.

“I just have to be ready at all times, and I just have to make the best of it each time I touch the ball and keep opening eyes,” he added.