Huskers in the NFL - Conference Championships

Lincoln - A total of six former Huskers hit the field last weekend in the NFL’s Conference Championships. With players on both teams in the NFC Championship, the Huskers were guaranteed at least one player in the Super Bowl. With Arizona’s win, the Big Red will have had at least one representative at 12 of the last 13 Super Bowls.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Ralph Brown and the Arizona Cardinals are on their way to Super Bowl XLIII after a 32-25 win at home over the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that included former Huskers Stewart Bradley, Correll Buckhalter and Chris Patrick. Sunday was the first playoff game this season where Brown did not have an interception, he did add two solo tackles. Even though the Cardinals were outgained on the day 454-369, Arizona forced three key turnovers that helped balance the game. Buckhalter carried the ball four times for 21 yards, while also adding a 12-yard reception. Bradley led the Philly defensive attack in tackles with nine, including eight solo stops. In his second year in the NFL, Bradley totaled 108 tackles during the regular season, adding another 26 in three playoff games.

 

Baltimore’s Sam Koch and Fabian Washington battled for the AFC’s spot in the Super Bowl, but came up just short against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 23-14 loss. Koch was once against stellar in the punting game, booting seven balls for 286 yards, including no touchbacks and three punts inside the Steelers’ 20-yard line. Washington had three solo stops and a pass deflection, helping hold the Steelers to 275 yards of total offense. Four turnovers by the Raven’s offense, including three interceptions, propelled the Steelers to their seventh Super Bowl.

 

Super Bowl XLIII is set for Sunday, Feb. 1, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. NBC’s pregame coverage is set to start at 4 p.m. (Central), with the opening kickoff set for 5:28 p.m.

Offense

  Rushing ReceivingPlayer, Team Opp. ATT YDS AVG LNG TD Rec Yards AVG LNG TDBuckhalter, Correll, Philadelphia Arizona 4 21 5.3 9 0 1 12 12.0 12 0Linemen                      Patrick, Chris, Philadelphia Active - did not play against Arizona

Defense

  Defensive Stats Special TeamsPlayer, Team Opp. TKL AST CMB SK YDS IN YDS PD FF FR TKL AST CMB FF BL FRBradley, Stewart, Philadelphia Arizona 8 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Brown, Ralph, Arizona Philadelphia 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Washington, Fabian, Baltimore Pittsburgh 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Special Teams

. Returns Field Goals Ex. Pts PuntsPlayer, Team Opp. KR YDS PR YDS TD ATT Made YDS ATT Made No. YDS AVG TB i20 LNGKoch, Sam, Baltimore Pittsburgh - - - - - - - - - - 7 286 40.9 0 3 52

() missed field goal; DNP - Did Not Play; INJ - Injured, did not play; IR - Injured Reserve: PS - Practice Squad, S-Suspended