Dec. 13, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. -
By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
UCF alumnus Brandon Marshall set an NFL record on Sunday with his 21 receptions in the Denver Broncos' loss at Indianapolis.
The previous mark of 20 had been set by Terrell Owens for San Francisco on Dec. 17, 2000 against Chicago. Marshall had set Denver's franchise record and the AFC benchmark on Sept. 14, 2008 against San Diego.
Marshall had 21 catches on the day for an even 200 yards and both of Denver's touchdowns. The 200 receiving yards are a career-high and it is the third time this season that Marshall has had two touchdowns in a game. He also went over the 1,000-yard plateau in the game and now boasts 86 catches for 1,008 yards and nine scores this year. It is the third consecutive season that Marshall has eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau and he is well on pace for his third straight 100-reception season as well.
Marshall's 200 receiving yards are the thrd-most in Broncos history for a single game, trailing only the 214 that Shannon Sharpe had in an overtime game at Kansas City on Oct. 20, 2002 and Rod Smith's 201 against Atlanta on Oct. 31, 2004.
UCF graduates accounted for all of Denver's points today as Matt Prater hit a field goal and converted the team's lone extra point kick (the Broncos went for two on Marshall's second touchdown).
In other 1 p.m. games on Sunday, Atari Bigby led Green Bay with seven tackles and starting right guard Josh Sitton helped pave the way for a 21-14 win over Chicago. The Packers improved to 9-4 with the win and are in the thick of the playoff race. In Baltimore, UCF alumnus Daunte Culpepper made his first start of the season for the Detroit Lions in a losing effort against the Ravens. Kevin Smith gained 69 yards on 21 carries before having to be carted off of the field with an injury.
Quick Notes on Brandon Marshall courtesy of Denver Broncos PR
* - Marshall posted an NFL-record 21 receptions for 200 yards with two touchdowns in Denver's game at Indianapolis on Sunday.
* - His 21 grabs were six more than any other player in the league had for a game this year and surpassed Terrell Owens' previous league record of 20 receptions, which he totaled for San Francisco vs. Chicago on Dec. 17, 2000.
* - His effort against the Colts now gives him two of the top-four single-game receiving totals in NFL history. His 18 grabs (166 yds., 1 TD) vs. San Diego on Sept. 14, 2008, tied for the second-highest single-game total in NFL annals (currently tied for third).
* - He accounted for 72.4 percent of Denver's receptions, 72.2 percent of its receiving yards, 60.0 percent of its first downs and 56.0 percent of its total net yards against the Colts.
* - His 21 catches represented his eighth career game with at least 10 catches, marking the most by a player through his first four seasons in NFL history.
* - Marshall was targeted 28 times, marking the highest such total by an NFL player in a game since at least the 1994 season - The previous high was 26, set by Chris Chambers for Miami vs. Buffalo on Dec. 4, 2005.
* - His 12 receiving first downs were the most by an NFL player in four seasons (Chambers, vs. Buf., 12/4/05) and tied for the fourth-highest total in the league since at least 1994.
* - His 200 receiving yards led the NFL for the week and marked the highest total by an AFC player in a game this year (4th overall). They also represented the third-highest total by a Bronco in a game in club history and were the highest total in five seasons (Rod Smith, 208 yds., vs. Atl., 10/31/04).
* - Marshall posted two receiving scores, which tied for the NFL lead among WRS for Week 14.
* - The wide receiver finished the first half with 10 receptions for 109 yards with one TD before totaling 11 grabs for 91 yards with one TD in the second half. His 11 second-half grabs marked an NFL high for a wide receiver in any half this year.
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