On soccer’s largest stage, they’ve hardly been “small faculty” gamers.
Which may be a moniker for NFL gamers who arrive from FCS school soccer, however as they’ve confirmed again and again within the Tremendous Bowl, they thrive within the highlight.
Right here’s a glance again at most of the best single-game performances by former FCS gamers.
(Be aware two exceptions: there’s an prolonged image, not only a single-game efficiency, for each an offensive and defensive GOAT amongst FCS legends. Additionally, greats akin to Adam Vinatieri and Doug Williams aren’t included as a result of their school careers predated their colleges becoming a member of the FCS.)
Robert Alford, S, Atlanta Falcons (Southeastern Louisiana)
Tremendous Bowl 21: New England Patriots 34, Falcons 28, OT (Feb. 5, 2017)
11 tackles (9 solos), 82-yard interception return for TD, 3 passes defended, 1 fumble restoration
Alford’s total dominance – his two takeaways included the second-longest interception return in Tremendous Bowl historical past – was overshadowed that night time by New England posting the biggest comeback win (from 28-3 down) with the sport advancing to additional time for the primary time.
Steve Christie, PK, Buffalo Payments (William & Mary)
Tremendous Bowl 28: Cowboys 30, Buffalo Payments 13 (Jan. 30, 1994)
2 of two FG, 54 lengthy, 1 of 1 PAT, 7 factors
Christie owns the longest discipline objective in Tremendous Bowl historical past, a 54-yarder that capped the Payments’ first possession in a loss.
Gary Clark, WR, Washington (James Madison)
Tremendous Bowl 26: Washington 37, Buffalo Payments 24 (Jan. 26, 1992)
7 receptions, 114 yards, TD, 2 25+ yards, 5 first downs
Clark hauled in a 30-yard landing catch whereas selecting the correct time to match his season excessive in receptions.
Richard Dent, DE, Chicago Bears (Tennessee State)
Tremendous Bowl 20: Bears 46, New England Patriots 10 (Jan. 26, 1986)
5 tackles (3 solos), 1.5 sacks (12 yards), 2 compelled fumbles, 1 blocked go
Dent earned the MVP award in a Bears mauling of the Patriots. On a sack that Dent shared with Wilbur Marshall, quarterback Tony Eason fumbled the ball away to the Bears.
Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens (Delaware)
Tremendous Bowl 47: Ravens 34, San Francisco 49ers 31 (Feb. 3, 2013)
22 of 33, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 56 lengthy
Flacco didn’t precisely flip the lights out on the 49ers – there was an influence outage on the Superdome within the third quarter – however he earned the MVP award. He threw for the sport’s first three touchdowns because the Ravens constructed a 21-3 lead.
Charles Haley OLB/DE, San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys (James Madison)
Tremendous Bowl 23: 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16 (Jan. 22, 1989) – 6 solo tackles, 2 sacks (10 yards)
Tremendous Bowl 24: 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10 (Jan. 28, 1990) – 1 solo deal with, 2 passes defended
Tremendous Bowl 27: Cowboys 52, Buffalo Payments 17 (Jan. 31, 1993) – 5 solo tackles, 1 sack (8 yards), 1 compelled fumble
Tremendous Bowl 28: Cowboys 30, Buffalo Payments 13 (Jan. 30, 1994) – 4 tackles (2 solos), 0.5 sack (6.5 yards)
Tremendous Bowl 30: Cowboys 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 17 (Jan. 28, 1996) – 4 tackles (3 solos), 1 sack (10 yards)
Right here’s the FCS defensive GOAT for Tremendous Bowls. Haley’s groups had been 5-0 in Tremendous Bowls, giving him the second-most rings behind quarterback Tom Brady. His mixed 4.5 sacks had been later tied by Von Miller for probably the most total.
Rodney Harrison, S, New England Patriots (Western Illinois)
Tremendous Bowl 39: Patriots 24, Philadelphia Eagles 21 (Feb. 6, 2005)
7 solo tackles, 1 sack (1 yard), 2 interceptions
Harrison completed with extra tackles in two different Tremendous Bowls, however his two interceptions answered in an enormous method following his verbal feud with Eagles vast receiver Freddie Mitchell within the week previous to the sport. He stopped a possible scoring drive within the first half, then iced the win with a late choose.
Chris Hogan, WR, New England Patriots (Monmouth)
Tremendous Bowl 52: Philadelphia Eagles 41, Patriots 33 (Feb. 4, 2018)
6 receptions, 128 yards, TD, 3 25+ yards, 5 first downs, 42 yards after catch
The Eagles are extra remembered for his or her “Philly Particular” landing and upset win, however the three-year school lacrosse/one-year school soccer participant posted one in all his profession’s greater video games, together with a 26-yard TD.
Billy Jenkins, SS, St. Louis Rams (Howard)
Tremendous Bowl 34: Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16 (Jan. 30, 2000)
12 tackles (9 solos), 1 compelled fumble
The Titans’ Steve McNair (Alcorn State) is the most-remembered FCS participant on this thriller, however one other HBCU product additionally stood out. Jenkins posted the sport excessive in tackles and pressured McNair into an incomplete go.
Stanford Jennings, KR, Cincinnati Bengals (Furman)
Tremendous Bowl 23: San Francisco 49ers 20, Bengals 16 (Jan. 22, 1989)
2 kickoff returns, 119 yards, 93-yard TD
The 49ers had simply tied the sport 6-6 within the ultimate minute of the third quarter when Jennings answered with the second kickoff return for a landing in Tremendous Bowl historical past.
Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams (Japanese Washington)
Tremendous Bowl 56: Rams 23, Cincinnati Bengals 20 (Feb. 13, 2022)
8 receptions, 92 yards, 2 TDs, 5 first downs, 25 yards after catch
Capping a season of securing the NFL’s receiving Triple Crown and incomes AP NFL Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Kupp was the Tremendous Bowl MVP. His second TD catch – a 1-yarder with 1:25 left – was the game-winner.
Steve McNair, QB, Tennessee Titans (Alcorn State)
Tremendous Bowl 34: St. Louis Rams 23, Titans 16 (Jan. 30, 2000)
16 of 23, 214 yards; 8 carries, 64 yards, 6 first downs
McNair’s work inside and out of doors the pocket helped the Titans rally from a 16-0 deficit to tie the sport. His speeding yards and first downs gained had been probably the most by a Tremendous Bowl quarterback till surpassed by Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles 23 years later.
Nate Newton, LG, Dallas Cowboys (Florida A&M)
Tremendous Bowl 28: Cowboys 30, Buffalo Payments 13 (Jan. 30, 1994)
Cowboys overcome 13-6 halftime deficit, maintain almost 10-minute edge in time of possession
Within the second of the Cowboys’ three Tremendous Bowl wins over a four-season span, their legendary O-line powered a decisive, 24-point second half, with Newton – aka “The Kitchen – typically pulling to his proper to assist spring Emmitt Smith, who rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns after halftime.
Terrell Owens, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (Chattanooga)
Tremendous Bowl 39: New England Patriots 24, Eagles 21 (Feb. 6, 2005)
9 receptions, 122 yards, 5 first downs, 65 yards after catch
Owens went in opposition to his docs’ recommendation and returned to play within the Tremendous Bowl after struggling a damaged leg and torn ligament in his proper ankle simply seven weeks earlier. He was focused 14 occasions, probably the most in his 12 postseason video games.
Jerry Rice, WR, San Francisco 49ers/Oakland Raiders (Mississippi Valley State)
Tremendous Bowl 23: 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16 (Jan. 22, 1989) – 11 receptions, 215 yards, TD, 4 25+ yards, 9 first downs
Tremendous Bowl 24: 49ers 55, Denver Broncos 10 (Jan. 28, 1990) – 7 receptions, 148 yards, 3 TDs, 6 first downs
Tremendous Bowl 29: 49ers 49, San Diego Chargers (Jan. 29, 1995) – 10 receptions, 149 yards, 3 TDs, 9 first downs, 38 yards after catch
Tremendous Bowl 37: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21 (Jan. 26, 2003) – 5 receptions, 77 yards, TD, 3 first downs
Right here’s the FCS offensive GOAT for Tremendous Bowls, and principally forever. The legendary Rice earned Tremendous Bowl 23 MVP after posting a document 215 receiving yards, and he’s the one participant with three TD catches in a recreation (SB 24 and 29). He had a TD reception in all 4 of his video games, and 27 of his 33 total catches (81.8%) produced first downs.
Dan Ross, TE, Cincinnati Bengals (Northeastern)
Tremendous Bowl 16: San Francisco 49ers 26, Bengals 21 (Jan. 24, 1982)
11 receptions, 103 yards, 2 TDs, 5 first downs
Together with a pair of TD catches within the fourth quarter, Ross holds the Tremendous Bowl single-game document for receptions by a decent finish.
Phil Simms, QB, New York Giants (Morehead State)
Tremendous Bowl 21: Giants 39, Denver Broncos 20 (Jan. 25, 1987)
22 of 25, 268 yards, 3 TDs, 150.9 passer ranking; 3 carries, 25 yards
In profitable the MVP award, Simms set the Tremendous Bowl’s single-game document for completion share (88.0) and passer ranking.
Michael Strahan, DE, New York Giants (Texas Southern)
Tremendous Bowl 42: Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 (Feb. 3, 2008)
3 tackles (2 solos), 1 sack (6 yards), 2 QB hurries, 1 go defended
The statistics don’t mirror the dominance of Strahan’s profession, however he was a part of the Giants’ efficient line of defense that surprised a Patriots workforce that coming in 18-0 was denied the very best document in NFL historical past.
Kurt Warner, QB, St. Louis Rams (Northern Iowa)
Tremendous Bowl 34: Rams 23, Tennessee Titans 16 (Jan. 30, 2000)
24 of 45, 414 yards, 2 TDs, 4 25+ yards
Warner earned the MVP award after setting what at the moment was the Tremendous Bowl document for passing yards. He threw downfield to Isaac Bruce for a game-winning, 73-yard TD go with just below two minutes remaining.
Analysis helps supplied by Stats Carry out U.S. Knowledge Insights senior editor Chase Weight.
