Jan. 21, 2011
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By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Three former UCF Knights, Josh Sitton, Atari Bigby and Michael Greco will continue their pursuit of the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday when the Green Bay Packers travel to face their ancient rival Chicago Bears at 3 p.m. on FOX in the NFC Championship Game. This will mark the eighth time in the past 10 years that a Knight alumnus has reached a NFL conference title game.
The Packers advanced to this matchup with a resounding 48-21 win over top-seeded Atlanta on Saturday night at the Georgia Dome, tying for the second-largest margin of victory in Green Bay's long playoff history. The Packers had moved onto the Divisional round with a 21-16 win over the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles. It allowed the Packers to join the 1981 New York Giants as the only teams to ever beat the Eagles twice at home in the same season.
Meeting in the postseason for the first time since 1941, the Bears and Packers fittingly split a pair of close meetings this season with Green Bay beating the Bears at Lambeau Field 10-3 on Jan. 2 and the Bears downing the Packers at Soldier Field 20-17 on Sept. 17.
Sitton was again the starter at right guard on Saturday night as the Packers set a franchise playoff record with its 48 points scored. He helped paved the way for 28 first downs, 442 yards of total offense and a remarkable 38:19 time of possession mark on the road. Behind a stout offensive line where he was rarely pressured, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was 31-for-36 for 366 yards and three touchdowns against the Falcons. Sitton's contributions followed another strong showing for the offensive line in the wild card round where Packer tailback James Starks set a franchise rookie playoff record with his 123 rushing yards.
Bigby was a game day inactive in both the Divisional and wild card rounds due to a groin injury. Bigby has been full-go at practice all week and hopes to be activated for Sunday's game. Greco remains with Green Bay's practice squad as a defensive back.
The postseason run continues a great regular season for Sitton who won the fan vote to start at guard for the NFL in the Pro Bowl but didn't earn a spot on the team. He has been selected as an alternate for the showcase event. Sitton has started every game for Green Bay this year. Bigby was a starter for Green Bay at safety in 2009 but was hampered by injuries for much of this season. He made six tackles and appeared in four games this fall, contests where the Packers went 3-1 with the lone loss coming at New England. Greco has had two stints with the Packers' practice squad this year after being released by the New York Giants following preseason camp.
Getting to this stage of playoff success has not been an unfamiliar event for those who used to don UCF's black and gold. In eight of the past 10 years a former UCF player has played in either the AFC or NFC Championship Game. It is Sitton's first appearance on this stage and, if he is activated for Sunday, it will be Bigby's second. Facing the New York Giants at Lambeau Field after the 2007 season, Bigby led Green Bay with nine tackles but the Packers fell by a 23-20 score.
UCF alumni are 7-6 all-time in conference championship games with the last UCF alumnus to advance to the Super Bowl being Asante Samuel who was a starter at corner back and Pro Bowl selection for the New England Patriots' Super Bowl XLII squad.
Sitton will join Cornell Green and current UCF/ISP Radio Network color commentator Mike Gruttadauria as UCF offensive linemen to play for a conference title. Both of them would go on to win a Super Bowl ring, Gruttadauria as the starting center in Super Bowl XXXIV for St. Louis and Green in Super Bowl XXXVII for Tampa Bay.
UCF IN THE AFC AND NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES
Player Season Team Result OpponentShawn Jefferson 1993 San Diego Chargers Won Pittsburgh SteelersShawn Jefferson 1995 New England Patriots Won Jacksonville JaguarsMike Gruttadauria 1998 St. Louis Rams Won Tampa Bay BuccaneersDaunte Culpepper 1999 Minnesota Vikings Lost New York GiantsCornell Green 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Won Philadelphia EaglesAsante Samuel 2002 New England Patriots Won Indianapolis ColtsAsante Samuel 2003 New England Patriots Won Pittsburgh SteelersCornell Green 2004 Denver Broncos Lost Pittsburgh SteelersDoug Gabriel 2006 New England Patriots Lost Indianapolis ColtsAsante Samuel 2006 New England Patriots Lost Indianapolis ColtsAsante Samuel 2007 New England Patriots Won San Diego ChargersAtari Bigby 2007 Green Bay Packers Lost New York GiantsAsante Samuel 2008 Philadelphia Eagles Lost Arizona Cardinals="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="http:>
To catch the next round of NFL Knights in action for UCF as they defend the Conference USA championship, place your deposit now for 2011 football season tickets. Contact the UCF Athletics ticket office at (407) 823-1000 for more information or place your deposit online on the main ticket page at UCFAthletics.com.