Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, February 6, 2017
It was a record-setting night for a pair of former Big Ten players Sunday in a memorable Super Bowl LI.
Tom Brady (Michigan) had a night for the ages, while James White (Wisconsin) had the performance of his career to help New England erase a 25-point deficit en route to a 34-28 overtime win in Houston.
Let's start with the Super Bowl regular, Brady. You ready for all of this? OK, here's what Brady accomplished:
- First quarterback to win five Super Bowls.
- First player to win four Super Bowl MVP awards.
- Broke record for most completions (43) in Super Bowl.
- Broke record for passing yards (466 yards) in Super Bowl.
Now, let's take a look at White's record-setting day:
- Broke record for most receptions (14) in Super Bowl.
- Set record for most points (20 – 3 TD & 2-PT) in Super Bowl.
- First player with two rushing TD and one receiving TD in Super Bowl.
Not a Super Bowl record, but White, who scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime, also finished with 139 total yards, including 110 through the air.
Watch Brady and White's highlights below.
What a night for @B1Gfootball names!
Tom Brady gets record 5th ring, & @SweetFeet_White had night of his life. https://t.co/vyDodVKWBx
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 6, 2017
How about @SweetFeet_White's night tonight? https://t.co/E2VywEXDtc
(via @NFL)
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 6, 2017
OH MY GOD, JULIAN EDELMAN! #SB51 #Patriots https://t.co/YtvHwsaCbT
— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2017
Make it back-to-back @B1Gfootball #SB51 TDs.
This time, it's ex-@BadgerFootball RB @SweetFeet_White. https://t.co/RljENRglWu
(via @NFL)
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 6, 2017
***
Another Super Bowl LI stat: Ex-Big Ten stars had a hand in each of the final five touchdowns. Tevin Coleman (Indiana) started the streak with this short scoring strike, to put Atlanta up 28-3. Coleman totaled 35 yards before suffering an injury.
We just had a @HoosierFootball #SB51 TD, courtesy of @Teco_Raww. https://t.co/dKzOGFZZ8N
(via: @NFL)
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 6, 2017
Here's how other Big Ten names fared:
Ricardo Allen (Purdue): 7 tackles
Jonathan Babineaux (Iowa): 1 tackle
Alan Branch (Michigan): 3 tackles, 0.5 sacks
Nate Ebner (Ohio State): 1 tackle
Ra'Shede Hageman (Minnesota): 2 tackles
Chris Hogan (Penn State, lacrosse): 4 rec., 57 yards
Rob Ninkovich (Purdue): 2 tackles
– Italics indicate Super Bowl winner
One final Big Ten-Super Bowl note:
Ex-@B1Gfootball stars have had hand in game-winning TD in 5 of last 10 Super Bowls.
XLII Plax
XLIII Santonio
XLIV Brees
XLIX Brady
LI White pic.twitter.com/709nV2FQmQ— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) February 6, 2017