Author: Gil Alcaraz
The biggest sporting event in America was finally upon us this past Sunday, as approximately 106.5 million Americans tuned in to watch Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints.
At Oxy, many students ventured to the Marketplace to enjoy some barbecue and watch the game projected on the wall. Others held viewing parties in residence halls and common rooms or headed home to watch the Super Bowl with family and friends.
Leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, media focus was on the Saints and what the Super Bowl meant to the city of New Orleans. After suffering through the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans, along with all of Louisiana, struggled to put itself back together. So when the Saints beat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime two weeks ago to advance to the Super Bowl, it was a big deal for the entire city. The “Who Dat” nation (a saying in New Orleans that represents the Saints) excitedly rallied behind their team. A victory in the Super Bowl would be a huge a morale boost.
Coming into the game, the favor was for the Colts, who finished the regular season with a 14-2 record, while the Saints were 13-3. The Colts’ quarterback, Peyton Manning, is considered one of the best players of all time, and the Saints’ defense looked to be outmatched. The Saints’ quarterback, Drew Brees, and the rest of the team, came into the game looking to bring the first championship to New Orleans in team history – as well as hope to a down-trodden city.
The Super Bowl started off rather slowly, with the Saints going three-and-out in their first series. The Colts were more eager to prove their offensive dominance, as Manning drove his way down the field, ending in a successful field goal. With their next possession, they again took advantage of the still-asleep Saints’ defense, ending a 96-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Pierre Garcon. The Saints’ offense managed to come alive in the second quarter, taking on two field goals, courtesy of kicker Garrett Hartley, before the half came to an end with a score of 10-6 in favor of the Colts.
The second half started off with a bang. The Saints’ kicking team came out onto the field as Hartley was sweating bullets. During halftime, Saints’ Head Coach Sean Payton told Hartley that the team would be attempting an onside kick in hopes of surprising the Colts and gaining momentum. The Saints were able to recover the onside kick and end the drive with a 16-yard pass from Brees to running back Pierre Thomas, taking the score to 16-10 with the Saints on top.
The Colts responded with a ten-play drive ending in a four-yard run by running back Joseph Addai. A field goal and a touchdown later, the Saints had taken a 24-17 lead with five and a half minutes left in the game. Seven plays later, the Saints made a game-changing play against Manning. With just over three minutes remaining, Manning dropped back to pass, looked for his favorite receiver Reggie Wayne, but instead was intercepted by Saints’ cornerback Tracy Porter. Only 74 yards later, the Saints scored another six points and sealed the game. One last attempt for the Colts’ offense fell short, and the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV, 31-17.
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