Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
NEW ORLEANS — Utah was well represented in Super Bowl XLVII.
There were seven players with local ties on the field Sunday and five of them left the field as champions.
Dennis Pitta became the first former BYU Cougar to catch a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl since Golden Richards in Super Bowl 12. He caught a pass from Joe Flacco for a 1-yard touchdown with 7:10 left in the 2nd quarter. It gave the Ravens a 14-3 lead. Pitta finished the game with 4 receptions for 26 yards and that score.
Former Utah defensive end Paul Kruger had a major impact for the Ravens on the defensive side of the ball. He put pressure on Colin Kaepernick several times and was able to sack him twice. The most important sack came with just under four minutes left in the 1st quarter with the 49ers facing 3rd and goal. Kruger took down Kaepernick and celebrated with his unique "symphony conductor" celebration.
Former Highland High star Haloti Ngata had two tackles in the game when he suffered a knee injury during Frank Gore's 6-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. A 49er offensive lineman fell into the back of Ngata's left leg. He spent several minutes on the turf before being taken to the locker room. He did not return to the game.
Former Utah defensive tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu had a tackle on defense for the Ravens.
Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith did not see action for the 49ers as the backup quarterback.
Smith's former teammate at Utah David Reed saw action on special teams for the Ravens and former East high star
Will Tukuafu was a member of the 49ers 53-man roster.
