Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, February 1, 2015

Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Super Bowl XLIX was an instant classic, and a pair of former Big Ten quarterbacks orchestrated much of the excitement.

In the end, Tom Brady (Michigan) and the New England Patriots got the best of Russell Wilson (Wisconsin) and the Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, in the first Super Bowl featuring two former Big Ten quarterbacks.

It was a historic night for Brady, who won his fourth Super Bowl, tied for the most among quarterbacks in NFL history, in addition to setting the record for most completions (37) in a Super Bowl game and surpassing NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana as the all-time Super Bowl touchdown pass leader (13).

Oh, and not to be ignored, Brady was named Super Bowl MVP, the third time he's taken home the honor. He also won it in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII.

One more note: Big Ten quarterbacks have won three of the last six Super Bowls, this after Wilson won XLVIII and Drew Brees (Purdue) XLIV.

Here's how former Big Ten players on both teams did Sunday night.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Tom Brady (Michigan): 37-50, 328 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Alan Branch (Michigan): 3 tackles
Jonathan Casillas (Wisconsin): No stats
Nate Ebner (Ohio State): No stats
Michael Hoomanawanui (Illinois): 1 rec., 4 yards
Rob Ninkovich (Purdue): 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
James White (Wisconsin): No stats
Tavon Wilson (Illinois): No stats

Maryland/Rutgers players, who never played in Big Ten:
Joe Vellano (Maryland): No stats
Duron Harmon (Rutgers): No stats
Devin McCourty (Rutgers): 5 tackles
Logan Ryan (Rutgers): 1 tackle, 1 PD
Tim Wright (Rutgers): No stats

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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Cliff Avril (Purdue): No stats
Garry Gilliam (Penn State): No stats
Tony Moeaki (Iowa): No stats
O'Brien Schofield (Wisconsin): No stats
Russell Wilson (Wisconsin): 12-21, 247 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 3 car., 39 yards