Players from current Atlantic Coast Conference schools fared pretty well Sunday in Super Bowl XLVII. The San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens each got touchdowns from players from current ACC programs, and the game's only interception fell into the hands of a safety with ACC ties.
Former Florida State star Anquan Boldin scored the first touchdown on a 13-yard pass from Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, who guided the Ravens to a 34-31 victory. Boldin, who once was forced to play quarterback for the Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, had a fine overall day catching passes.
He finished the game with six receptions for 104 yards and that score. His longest catch went for 30 yards.
Running back Frank Gore (Miami) crossed the goal line for the 49ers in the third quarter cutting Baltimore's lead to 28-20. Gore had a terrific night, carrying the ball 19 times for 110 yards, which is an average of 5.8 per attempt. His long run was 33 yards.
Baltimore safety Ed Reed (Miami) had a full night. He left for the locker room following an apparent injury after colliding with former Maryland Terrapins tight end Vernon Davis late in the first quarter. But Reed returned to register five tackles and a pass deflection. He also had the game's only interception, picking off 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the second quarter.
The interception was Reed's ninth in a postseason game, tying the all-time NFL record.
Davis posted almost identical numbers as Boldin. He caught six passes for 104 yards but didn't score. He was also the target on San Francisco’s last offensive play, but Kaepernick's pass was too long on 4th-and-goal at the Baltimore 6-yard-line.
Overall, Baltimore had 13 players from current ACC schools on its roster in some capacity with seven dressing for the Super Bowl. The 49ers had six, all of whom dressed.
For Baltimore, linebacker Ray Lewis (Miami) was in on seven tackles in the final game of his career. Bryant McKinnie (Miami) started at offensive tackle, and former Georgia Tech back Anthony Allen registered two special teams tackles.
For San Francisco, former Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks was in on 5 tackles, including a sack and linebacker Tavares Gooden (Miami) had one tackle.
