The Baltimore Ravens held on after a thirty-four minute power outage delay and a remarkable comeback by the 49ers, to beat San Francisco 34-31 in the Superdome in New Orleans.
The Baltimore Ravens were leading early in the third quarter 28-6 fresh off a Jacoby Jones 108 yard kickoff return, a Super Bowl record, until the power went out. What ensued was a thirty-four minute game delay that seemed to spark the 49ers.
When the lights came back on and play resumed, San Francisco erupted with back-to-back scoring drives led by second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who finished the night with 302 yards passing, 62 rushing, one touchdown and one interception, the first in Super Bowl franchise history for the 49ers, who also lost their first big game in history, dropping their record to 5-1.
The Niners were sloppy in the first half, reversing a twenty yard pass to Vernon Davis with an illegal formation call, and then continuing the trend with rookie running back LaMichael James’ fumble. The Ravens then drove back down the field for a touchdown, capped by a one-yard pass to tight end Dennis Pitta.
Meanwhile, the Ravens improved their Super Bowl record to 2-0, adding to their win in Super Bowl XXXV against the New York Giants. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, en route to a Super Bowl MVP award. Arguably the award should have gone to all-around player Jacoby Jones, who made a fantastic fifty-six yard touchdown catch in the second quarter and also recording a kickoff for a touchdown.
The game also marked the ending of future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis’ career, who announced last month that he would retire at year’s end, an announcement that seemed to spur on the Ravens, who had limped into the playoffs losing four of their last five to finish the regular season. The last series of his career was a goal-line stand in the waning seconds of the game. The 49ers had four chances in the Red-Zone but the Lewis-led Ravens defense was able to hold on, all but sealing up a victory. “What better way to go out,” Lewis said of his final game.
In the battle of the Harbaughs, Jon and Jim, head coaches of the two opposing teams, older brother Jon emerged victorious. Many experts had picked Jim’s 49ers to win, claiming they had the more talented team led by wunderkind Colin Kaepernick and a staunch defense led by All-Pro Patrick Willis. Nonetheless, the Baltimore Ravens reigned supreme, and earned the title of NFL champions, until next year when the drama that is the National Football League returns.
