Feb. 7, 2011
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Three former UCF Knights, Josh Sitton, Atari Bigby and Michael Greco got to hold the Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night when their Green Bay Packers posted a 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
With Sitton and Bibgy's active participation in the contest, UCF alumni are now 6-3 in Super Bowl appearances, winning in six of their last seven appearances on football's biggest stage. Other Knights to win a Super Bowl are Mike Gruttadauria (Super Bowl XXXIV), Cornell Green (XXXVII) and Asante Samuel (XXXVIII and XXXIX). Sitton became the fourth different Knight to be a starter in a Super Bowl game, joining Shawn Jefferson (XXIX and XXXI), Gruttadauria (XXXIV) and Samuel (XXXIX and XLII).
Sitton had a great week in North Texas. On Friday he was named the league's Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association. Sunday night he once again found himself starting at right guard for the Packers and helped the team on to victory. Green Bay came out with a pass-heavy attack against the Steelers and, speaking to the media earlier this week, Sitton said of quarterback Aaron Rodgers "if we keep him upright we'll be alright." Sitton then helped do just that as Rodgers was 24-for-39 for 304 yards and three touchdowns, good for a 111.5 rating, en route to Super Bowl MVP honors and a free trip to Orlando to visit Walt Disney World on Monday. Perhaps most importantly, with the game on the line, Green Bay was able to hold the ball for 9:09 of the decisive fourth quarter.
Bigby was a regular contributor on special teams for Green Bay, making a solo tackle in the Super Bowl. The takedown was on the crucial kickoff when Green Bay took a 31-25 lead with 2:07 to play. Bigby's stop on Isaac Redman, coupled with a Pittsburgh penalty, forced the Steelers to start their potential game-winning drive 87 yards away from an end zone that Pittsburgh would not reach. Bigby also played on the Packer punt coverage unit that held Antonio Brown to a total of five yards on four attempts.
Greco was a member of the Packers practice squad whose simulation of Pittsburgh's secondary in practice clearly had the pass-happy Packers prepared for what they faced Sunday night.
The postseason run continued a great regular season for Sitton who won the fan vote to start at guard for the NFC in the Pro Bowl but ultimately didn't earn a spot on the team. He was selected as an alternate for the showcase event but would not have been able to participate regardless due to the Super Bowl. Sitton started every game for Green Bay this year. During several interviews last Thursday while accepting the NFL's Rookie of the Year award, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh called Sitton the best guard he faced all year.
Bigby was a starter for Green Bay at safety in 2009 but was hampered by injuries for much of this season. Including the playoffs, he has made seven tackles and appeared in six games, contests where the Packers went 5-1 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.
UCF IN THE SUPER BOWL
PLAYER GAME TEAM RESULT OPPONENT
Shawn Jefferson* XXIX San Diego Chargers Lost San Francisco 49ers
Shawn Jefferson* XXXI New England Patriots Lost Green Bay Packers
Mike Gruttadauria* XXXIV St. Louis Rams Won Tennessee Titans
Cornell Green XXXVII Tampa Bay Buccaneers Won Oakland Raiders
Asante Samuel XXXVIII New England Patriots Won Carolina Panthers
Asante Samuel* XXXIX New England Patriots Won Philadelphia Eagles
Asante Samuel* XLII New England Patriots Lost New York Giants
Atari Bigby XLV Green Bay Packers Won Pittsburgh Steelers
Josh Sitton* XLV Green Bay Packers Won Pittsburgh Steelers
="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/pre%3E%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cem%3ENote:%20Charles%20Lee%20was%20on%20Tampa%20Bay's%20injured%20reserve%20list%20for%20Super%20Bowl%20XXXVII%20and%20%3Ca%20href="/roster.aspx?rp_id=2632" class="imported_story_link" oldlink="/sports/m-footbl/mtt/greco_michael00.html">Michael Greco was on Green Bay's practice squad for Super Bowl XLV...* denotes starters.
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.