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After Dramatic ‘Lights Out’ Game, Ravens Beat 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl

Feb. 3, 2013 11:20pm Erica Ritz

Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens holds the VInce Lombardi trophy as CBS announcer Jim Nantz looks on after the Ravens won 34-31 against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Getty Images)

(TheBlaze/AP) — A power outage at the Super Bowl put the nation’s biggest sporting event on hold for more than a half-hour Sunday, interrupting an otherwise electric, back-and-forth game that ended with Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens as NFL champions thanks to a 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Flacco, voted the MVP, threw three first-half touchdown passes to cap an 11-TD, zero-interception postseason. Jacoby Jones returned the second-half kickoff 108 yards, a Super Bowl record, to give Baltimore a 28-6 lead.

Moments later, lights lining the indoor arena faded, making it difficult to see. When action resumed, Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers scored 17 consecutive points, getting as close as 31-29.

But Baltimore stopped San Francisco on fourth-and-goal from the 5 with under 2 minutes left when Kaepernick’s pass sailed beyond Michael Crabtree in the end zone.

The biggest deficit a team has ever overcome to win a Super Bowl is 10 points, and there were moments were it appeared San Francisco had a chance to better that mark. Instead, the 49ers lost for the first time in six trips to the Super Bowl.

The AFC champion Ravens (14-6), a franchise that moved from Cleveland to Baltimore 17 years ago, improved to 2-0 in the big game. They also won the championship in 2001, when linebacker Ray Lewis was voted the game’s MVP. Lewis was not a major factor this time, but he was a center of attention, playing in the final game of his 17-year career before retiring.

Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with the VInce Lombardi trophy after the Ravens won 34-31 against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Getty Images)

The 49ers struggled early in the first Super Bowl coaching matchup between brothers: Baltimore’s John Harbaugh is 15 months older than San Francisco’s Jim Harbaugh.

Baltimore led 28-6 after Jones opened the second half with the longest kickoff return in a Super Bowl, his eyes glancing up at the videoboard, presumably to watch himself sprint to the end zone. The 49ers showed they were capable of a comeback in their previous game: They trailed by 17 against the Atlanta Falcons before winning the NFC championship game.

Shortly following Jones’ return, the sudden, odd power outage arrived. Escalators weren’t working. Officials stopped play about 1 1/2 minutes into the third quarter, and the bizarre delay lasted 34 minutes in real time before action resumed. Some players sat. Others stretched. Some fans chanted, “Let’s go, Ravens!” Others passed time by doing the wave.

This was the 10th time New Orleans hosted the big game – tying Miami for most in a city – and first since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Big Easy in August 2005.

When play resumed, NFC champion San Francisco (13-5-1) began making things more interesting, scoring 17 points in less than 4 1/2 minutes.

Confetti falls on the field as the Baltimore Ravens celebrate their 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Getty Images)

First, Kaepernick threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Crabtree, pulling them within 15 points midway through the third quarter. Ravens defensive backs Cary Williams and Bernard Pollard missed tackles on the play. Then, with 5 minutes left in the third quarter, Frank Gore swept around right end for a 6-yard TD run, making it 28-20, before Ravens running back Ray Rice’s fumble gave the ball right back to the 49ers.

San Francisco tacked on David Akers’ 34-yard field goal to get within 28-23 after he missed from a longer distance but the Ravens were whistled for running into the kicker. It was his third successful kick of the game after hitting from 36 and 27 yards in the first half.

How close was it heading into the fourth quarter? Each team had exactly 17 first downs. Total yardage was nearly the same, with the 49ers slightly ahead, 317-315. Time of possession was nearly split down the middle, too.

Beyonce performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, in New Orleans. (Photo: AP)

About 2 minutes into the fourth quarter, rookie kicker Justin Tucker made a 19-yard field goal to stretch the Ravens’ lead to 31-23. Not long later, Kaepernick’s 15-yard run around the left side – the longest TD run by a quarterback in Super Bowl history – made it 31-29. His 2-point conversion pass intended for Randy Moss was incomplete.

A 38-yarder by Tucker made it 34-29 with 4:19 left in regulation. Baltimore purposely gave up a safety in the closing seconds to run time off the clock, setting the final score.

Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field after losing against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Getty Images)

Kaepernick was making only his 10th start the NFL, having taken over the job after Alex Smith got a concussion during a game. After his touchdown run, Kaepernick kissed his tattooed right biceps, his celebration move.

The first half was all about Flacco. He went 13 for 20 for 192 yards and the three scores over the opening two quarters, becoming only the sixth QB in 47 Super Bowls to throw for that many TDs by halftime.

Flacco finished 22 of 33 for 287 yards.

It’s been one impressive game after another for a guy who never has commanded the widespread respect usually accorded a top player – but now will head into an offseason that could land him a $20 million-per-year contract in free agency.

San Francisco 49er fans react as they watch Super Bowl XLVII at Ireland’s 32 on February 3, 2013 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco 49ers are facing off against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Getty Images)

To get to the Super Bowl, Flacco already led the Ravens past Denver’s Peyton Manning and New England’s Tom Brady for two of his league-record six career postseason road victories by a quarterback.

San Francisco turned over the ball twice in about a 5-minute span of the second quarter: Rookie running back LaMichael James fumbled – leading to a Ravens TD – and safety Ed Reed tied an NFL record with his ninth career postseason interception by picking off Kaepernick.

The Niners had never thrown an interception in their previous five Super Bowls.

There was some testiness on the field right from the get-go, and after Reed stole the ball, a group of players from both teams engaged in a scrum and penalties were called. Both coaching brothers wound up on the field, too, trying to break up the skirmish.

The Baltimore Ravens celebrate on the field after they won 34-31 against the Baltimore Ravens during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Getty Images)

Instead of adding more points after Reed’s pick, Baltimore eventually gave the ball back after trying a fake field goal but failing to get a first down. Didn’t matter a bit. San Francisco had to punt, and Flacco hit Jones on a 56-yard TD pass with under 2 minutes left in the first half.

Jones beat cornerback Chris Culliver – the player who apologized for anti-gay comments during the week – and tumbled onto his back, then got up and cut across the field to reach the end zone. It was Flacco’s 70-yard toss to Jones with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter that allowed the Ravens to tie the Broncos in the second round of the playoffs, before winning in the second overtime period.

Earlier Sunday, Flacco connected with Anquan Boldin from 13 yards out less than 4 1/2 minutes into the game on Baltimore’s first possession, then found tight end Dennis Pitta for a 1-yard score midway through the second quarter after James’ error.

James fumbled at Baltimore’s 25-yard line while straining to gain extra yards. Linebacker Courtney Upshaw punched the ball loose, and defensive lineman Arthur Jones recovered it, and the Ravens headed the other way.

The 49ers also began the game with an illegal formation penalty on the very first play, then needed to punt.

A good return by Jones set up the Ravens near midfield, and they promptly drove 51 yards in six plays. Another 49ers penalty on third down at the 18 came right before Flacco’s nice scoring pass over the middle to Boldin with less than 4 1/2 minutes gone in the game.

About 45 minutes before the opening kickoff, Lewis gathered his teammates in the end zone painted the Ravens’ purple team color. As they encircled him, Lewis – large triangles of eye black covering his entire cheeks – delivered his usual rousing pregame speech, and other players whooped it up, too.

Not long after, 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis – who, like Lewis, wears No. 52 – delivered his own fiery words, surrounded by the rest of his team near the red, white and blue NFL shield logo at midfield.

Before the game began, with 100 million or so Americans expected to tune in on TV, a chorus of 26 children from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. – where 20 students and six adults were killed in a shooting rampage in December – sang “America the Beautiful,” accompanied by “American Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson. Grammy winner Alicia Keys performed the national anthem.

Here’s video of the stunning halftime performance:

–

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Comments (38)

Cryinthewilderness
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 4:57pm
Thank GOD no more Ray Lewis now if we could just keep from hearing about Tiger Woods all the time. A gentlemans game is GOLF. But Tiger is no gentleman. And Ray Lewis should be imprison.

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Rayblue
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:04pm
The halftime was strip club “style” over substance. Dance troupe rehash. Step,step,kick,squat.
Took the dog for a walk. Ravens won,. Big deal. Played some Stanley Turrentine and made a pizza. I really have no connection with what the Super Bowl’s become.

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FoxRules
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 10:45am
WORST SUPERBOWL EVER!!! EVEN WORSE THEN STEELERS CARDINALS GAME!

The highlights – the children from the school singing an American Heritage song the way it’s supposed to be sung. I am not inferring anything political but the “Stars” usually s*ck and this year was certainly no exception! Heck the skirt Hudson was wearing had a slit showing stuff that was higher then most of the kids she paraded in front of. And it just got worse from there with Keyes and the large rump lip-syncer who to this day most of us are still scratching our heads about…

The game – HORRIBLE, plenty of MISSED CALLS on the Ravens and it certainly makes you think of the Steelers Cards game. The fighting and the WORST NFL REF IN THE LEAGUE as this years spotlight, when at times English seems to be his waterloo, is standing out there right in front of the plays and refusing to call them leaves you to ask is the brain damage just on the field???

It’s another sad day for the New NFL under Roger. We continue to reach for the bottom with this guy and his embarrassing, contradictory and all out attack to cover things up. Finally a sport that’s beginning to make wrestling an honest sport!

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- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 11:04am
  Yes and I felt like I was watching BET with all the Blacks singing the National Anthem and that skank Beyonce during the half time show ! I don’t understand why people like this Black Gospel style of singing – they might as well be running their fingernails down a chalkboard for me. And that hood rat Jennifer Hudson also make me sick – I would never use Weight Watchers because her fat a$$
  
  Report this comment
- A_CALL_TO_CONSCIENCE
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:40pm
  @FOXRULES
  
  I would strongly disagree. It was actually a very good game, and I greatly enjoyed every bit of the SuperBowl. Was there a few missed calls? Sure. However, it wasn’t that bad.
  
  @SOCIALISTSLAYER
  
  While it’s fine to not like certain music, saying “with all those blacks singing…” comes off as a bit racist. Beyonce is not a skank. She is a very talented woman (her dancing and singing is amazing)..not to mention very beautiful (great legs). I listen to all kinds of music (including Beyonces), and I greatly enjoy rap, hip-hop and that “black gospel style of singing.” I’d certainly put a ring on it if she wasn’t already married. Her and Kelly Rowland.
  
  I don’t know why you come off as so hateful. I mean if you really wanted to act that way towards someone, why not pick Brittney Spears?
  
  Report this comment
FoxRules
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 10:43am
WORST SUPERBOWL EVER!!! EVEN WORSE THEN STEELERS CARDINALS GAME!

The highlights – the children from the school singing an American Heritage song the way it’s supposed to be sung. I am not inferring anything political but the “Stars” usually suck and this year was certainly no exception! Heck the skirt Hudson was wearing had a slit showing stuff that was higher then most of the kids she paraded in front of. And it just got worse from there with Keyes and the large rump lip-syncer who to this day most of us are still scratching our heads about…

The game – HORRIBLE, plenty of MISSED CALLS on the Ravens and it certainly makes you think of the Steelers Cards game. The fighting and the WORST NFL REF IN THE LEAGUE as this years spotlight, when at times English seems to be his waterloo, is standing out there right in front of the plays and refusing to call them leaves you to ask is the brain damage just on the field???

It’s another sad day for the New NFL under Roger. We continue to reach for the bottom with this guy and his embarrassing, contradictory and all out attack to cover things up. Finally a sport that’s beginning to make wrestling an honest sport!

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SquidVetOhio
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 8:51am
Game was fixed. Apparently Ray Lewis isn’t the only member of the Baltimore Ravens that can get away with murder.

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- A_CALL_TO_CONSCIENCE
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 10:07am
  It was a really good game though.
  
  Report this comment
Eastinfection
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 8:12am
Beyonce proved two things:

1. She can really sing.
2. Her music is lame.

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- A_CALL_TO_CONSCIENCE
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 10:03am
  Her music is very good. She can dance very, very well. And she has amazing legs. She should come back next year .
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 4:13pm
  She has a very nice voice.
  She has great legs.
  She’s a terrific dancer and displays a lot of great showman qualities, as well.
  She’s probably a really nice person, too.
  
  A few of Destiny’s Child’s songs are OK… but Beyonce’s solo stuff is contrived garbage.
  It’s the “Nickelback” of the R&B world.
  
  Report this comment
- A_CALL_TO_CONSCIENCE
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 5:36pm
  Oh, well I enjoy her music. Wait…you don’t like Nickelback? what’s wrong with them?
  
  Report this comment
churchee
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 7:05am
I miss the National Anthem being sung as such. Hearing one Diva after another trying to turn it into a Pop Song makes me tired.

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- biohazard23
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 7:45am
  Alicia Keyes sounded like a lounge singer. The only things missing from her rendition were a lit cigarette in an ash tray on top of the piano, a glass of Scotch on the rocks, and a hazy, dimly lit room.
  
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- A_CALL_TO_CONSCIENCE
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 10:28am
  She did a good job. Nothing wrong with singing it the “normal” way, but singing it differently is fine to. Changing it up so it’s not sung the same boring way year after year is a good idea.
  
  Report this comment
dont-care-anymore
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 6:27am
the half time was nuttin but some grunts and thrusts what a worthless display that was and just who is this “bouncy” slut anyways

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biohazard23
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 4:07am
Woo hoo – go Ravens!!!!

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montecarlo834
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 2:50am
Beyonce performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl XLVII Was Again This Year A Messages Hidden In Plain Sight!! Illuminati Strikes Again! Stage Even Shaped Like A Woman’s Womb! Illuminati Hand Signs And Much More All Hidden In Plain Sight, Look For Yourself, It Is There!! Look Between The Lines. Think Outside The Box!

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 1:15am
99 out of 100 times that holding at the end of the game would have been called. Another fraudulent ending.

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- Jake Dog2
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 2:23am
  I agree that non-call was so bad I could not belive it.. Makes me wonder if they wanted tsee Ray Lewis go out with a win. All you heard all week was about Lewis retiring.
  
  Report this comment
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:03am
I did not watch the game, neither did I plan to. I also did not watch any of the games for the NFL season, or participate in the emotional rollercoaster of watching the players win or loose.

Please forgive me if that bothers you?

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- Chrisrob63
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:56am
  You are forgiven, and it does not bother me. I have never been much of a sports fan, unless I was playing. I did become curious when it was reported on the internet that the power went out.
  
  The Super Bowl always makes me think of that movie, “Black Sunday”. With the TSA goons and pervs feeling people up at sporting events and airports, I try to stay away from large unarmed crowds. I would feel a little too vulnerable.
  
  You just never know.
  
  Report this comment
Gladius_Doctorae
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:59pm
gaycisco 49 ers lose LOL!

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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 7:52am
  Yea and an accessory to murder won. Yippie!
  
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- Eastinfection
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 9:20am
  I can’t wait til Ray Lewis runs for POTUS… and wins!!
  
  We can finally achieve our ideal “Idiocracy”!
  
  Report this comment
R.A. Bullseye
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:36pm
I’m not a fan of California so I am not a fan of 9-ers or Giants. I am really glad the Ravens won.

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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:34pm
The refs let Baltimore get away with several penalties and were very generous with their ball-spotting, until SF Harbaugh contested their last one and won. Holding penalties, pushing a ref, offensive face-mask holding.
If anyone recorded the game, go back and watch two Baltimore players holding a SF player on each side, letting Jacoby run by.
Also, watch a Baltimore player push a ref and get away with it.
I didn’t care who won, but was leaning towards SF, because Baltimore seems like a thuggish team, who try to rip the ball out of the hands of he opposition at every opportunity.

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:45pm
  ANONYMOUS T. IRRELEVANT, I simply picked Baltimore over SF on a whim. But, I was thoroughly ticked about those face mask violations were not called. The NFL must have made a bad choice on that one Ref.
  
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- soybomb315_II
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:50am
  SF got some bad breaks and bad calls. Ravens (torrey smith) had offensive pass interference on SF guy that should have been intercepted – next play was a 50 yd TD…..
  
  And yet SF was still a few yards away from taking the lead at the end. All in all, in think SF wins that game easily without the bad luck and calls
  
  Report this comment
- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:55am
  RJJ
  The Head Ref was picked after 8 bad call were overturned by the Head of Officiating. In no time has any official ever had more than 2 bad ratings overturned, let alone 8 bad calls. The league decided they wanted their only black Head Referee to call this game, and because due to ratings gave to him during the season, the only way he made the Super Bowl was to eliminate those 8 bad calls during the season. Thus we got the last play by the 49ers, a clear pass interference, not called. Not that I cared who won, this was a very poorly called game, on both sides, although from what I seen, the calls went against the 49ers more than the Ravens.
  
  Either way, a somewhat exciting game, and the Paul Harvey commercial made me cry.
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 7:40am
  I watched until 20 minutes into the black out and got bored and switched to Downton Abbey. After the Ravens ran the opening kickoff back I thought it was over anyway. I have it recorded so I’ll watch it tonight. I didn’t like either team but I was pulling for Flaco to win.
  
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- Gonzo
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 8:06am
  Dang it, with the black out delay I won’t have the end of the game recorded. I’ll survive.
  
  Report this comment
- Eastinfection
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 9:38am
  DARMOK…
  
  “Affirmative Action” is necessary to correct past injustices against minority referees. Preferential reffing assignments doled now will surely have the effect of inspiring generations of multi-ethnic officials!
  If we plant that seed, … and let it grow.. we can have Transgender Asian refs working the SuperBowl in 10 or 12 years…
  ..and isn’t that what it’s all about anyway?
  Of course, by then, it will be two-hand touch anyway, and San Francisco will “win” every year- regardless of which teams are playing….. if you catch my drift.
  
  Report this comment
The-Monk
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:26pm
Here’s the actual live play times for the Super Bowl for those interested;

1st quarter, 3:33
2nd quarter, 4:20
3rd quarter, 4:47
4th quarter, 4:25

For a total of 17 minutes and 5 seconds. The longest Super Bowl game I’ve ever recorded!

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:49pm
  Four and a half hours from kickoff to trophy presentation.
  
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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 1:00am
  We got an extra 35 minutes, because Beyonce was toooo hot and blew the circuits out.
  
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americanexile
Posted on February 3, 2013 at 11:25pm
Real class act by Flacco, who dropped an f-bomb on live television after his win. Great model for kids.

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- Gladius_Doctorae
  Posted on February 4, 2013 at 12:00am
  Pffft…loser
  
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