Former Clemson standout tied a Super Bowl record
By: will-vandervort February 6, 2017

Vic Beasley just sat on the ground stunned. It was not supposed to end like this.

For three quarters, the Atlanta Falcons controlled Super Bowl LI as they dominated the New England Patriots. But instead they became part of the greatest collapse in Super Bowl history.

Instead, led by Tom Brady’s Super Bowl record 466 yards, the Patriots rallied from a 25-point deficit to beat the Falcons’ 34-28 in overtime. James White scored on a two-yard run in the first overtime in Super Bowl history for the winning touchdown.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the Falcons, especially for former Clemson standouts Beasley and Grady Jarrett. Just the play before White’s game winner, Beasley nearly intercepted a Brady pass in the end zone as the NFL sack leader also deflected a pass in the second quarter.

Jarrett was unstoppable for much of the night as he tied a Super Bowl record with three sacks, including two on a fourth quarter drive that appeared to be a good enough effort to lead the Falcons to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history.

The former Clemson standout had five tackles overall. Jarrett entered the Super Bowl with four-career sacks in his first two years in the league.

The Patriots had first-and-goal at the Atlanta 7-yard line with Atlanta in front 28-9 early in the fourth quarter. Jarrett’s first sack came on first down as he broke through the line and threw Brady down for a 5-yard loss. Two plays later on third down from the Atlanta 10, he blew past two Patriot offensive line and again sacked Brady for a 5-yard loss.

New England settled for a 33-yard field goal that made the score 28-12 with 9:48 to play.

Jarrett also had a first-quarter sack on Brady to stymie another potential New England scoring drive. The Falcons finished the game with five sacks and hit Brady 16 times.

Early on, Jarrett and the Falcons defense were in Brady’s head. Despite being on the field much of the night, the Falcons defense forced two crucial turnovers in the second quarter, sparking a 21-point quarter for the Falcons.

After a LaGarrett Blunt fumble at the Falcons’ 29, Matt Ryan led them on a five-play, 71-yard drive, which was capped by a 5-yard Devonta Freeman touchdown.

After Ryan threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper for a 14-0 lead midway through the quarter, Robert Alford intercepted a Brady pass on the ensuing possession and returned it 82 yards for a touchdown. It was the second longest interception return in Super Bowl history and the first ever returned on Brady.

That gave the Falcons a 21-0 lead with 2:21 to play in the first half.

Atlanta went up 28-3 in the third quarter before Brady led the Patriots on a fierce rally in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 28-28 with 0:57 to play to force overtime.

—Above photo: Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. (Photo by Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

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