By Randy Galloway
rgalloway@star-telegram.com
NEW ORLEANS -- A blowout was happening, but then the lights blew out.
After that?
Suddenly, this 47th edition of the Super Bowl had no shortage of football electricity, achieving classic and crazy status while also providing a power surge of suspense that will forever rank this contest among the most discussed, and at least way out west, most cussed.
You had to give it time, and wait through a 34-minute delay when most of the Superdome lights went out early in the third quarter, but for entertainment (and that's all that matters, right?) this one delivered the goods.
Officials were still scrambling afterward to explain the power outage, but my sources tell me it was caused by Beyonce's halftime body heat.
Whatever, the Baltimore Ravens achieved world championship status via a 34-31 sweat, and frankly, the team that deserved to win did win, even if victory, and definitely a ton of momentum, appeared to be riding with San Francisco as the clock ticked under two minutes to play.
But the Ravens made their second terrific defensive stand, snuffing the 49ers at the 5-yard line, when in a second guess, the use of Colin Kaepernick's feet never surfaced in four downs. I'm going more with Kaepernick's legs, as opposed to his arm, in that spot.
The Super Bowl, of course, is usually ripe for the second guess, cheap or not.
The Ravens' defense, outscored a whopping 25-6 in the final 29-plus minutes of the second half, had also stopped a 49ers' 2-point conversion attempt with just under 10 minutes to play, holding a 31-29 lead.
Kaepernick's pass on the 2-pointer went nowhere near a receiver because of heavy pressure from his left side, but at the time, it was a huge psychological boost for the Ravens. If that 2-pointer had been complete, the Ravens would have officially blown a 28-6 lead.
Blowing a 22-point advantage is unheard of in the Super Bowl.
"When God is with you, nobody can be against you," explained linebacker Ray Lewis when it was over.
Well, that's just Ray-Ray, who apparently thinks the Big Man is a Ravens fan, or a Ray Lewis fan.
But something flipped the lights off in the Superdome, and after the long delay, it appears that at least the football gods were in San Fran's corner.
Man, has a game ever changed so quickly. Mo-mo-momentum leaped into the 49ers' hands.
"I knew that when that happened with the lights, we were going to be in for a dogfight," said the winning brother, John Harbaugh. "I knew it because I know the guy on the other sideline."
Speaking of Jim, still in a state of shock afterward, he said, "we want to handle this with class and grace."
But...
Jim also couldn't help himself. "Yes," he said, answering a question, "there is no question in my mind that there was a pass interference and then a hold on [Michael] Crabtree on the last one."
He was talking about fourth-and-goal from the five on the 49ers' final threat. And, yes, Jim also had a legitimate gripe on what happened to Crabtree in the end zone, but with the Lombardi Trophy on the line, it's tough to get that call in such a situation.
The Niners had first-and-goal at the 8-yard line, down five points. There was over 2 1/2 minutes left. The sweet smell of a massive comeback win was in the Superdome air.
LaMichael James carried for three to the 5. But on second down there was good coverage on the dangerous Vernon Davis (six catches, 104 yards) at the right pylon, although before the snap the 49ers had to take a timeout before of the snap clock. That would hurt badly later.
On third down, Kaepernick threw to a covered Crabtree, who had no chance to score, although the pass was not complete. It was a bad decision.
Then came fourth down. It was a fade to Crabtree on the right side. May have been an interference, and may have also been a jersey grab. But no hankie fell.
Due to the critical 49ers timeout, the Ravens basically ran out the clock, and then took a safety.
But in the big picture, Baltimore won because it came to play. From the start, it came to play. The 49ers lost because they took too long to start playing.
The Ravens completely dominated the first half, led by both Joe Flacco (the Super Bowl MVP) and the defense. The halftime lead was 21-6. Then the second half started by Jacoby Jones returning the kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown, the same 108 yards he scored on a return against the Cowboys in mid-October.
A few minutes later, the lights went out. It was uncanny how the game changed after that. But a 28-6 second-half lead is hard to overcome (or blow, depending on your point of view), no matter the momentum craziness.
Speaking of a second-guess, John Harbaugh survived a big one once the Ravens won. His first half decision to fake a short field goal (it failed), instead of taking a 14-point lead would loom large in the second half.
But the Ravens coach survived. So did the Ravens.
It's the Super Bowl. All that matters is winning.
Randy Galloway can be heard on Galloway & Co. weekdays 3-6 p.m. on ESPN/103.3 FM.Randy Galloway, 817-390-7697
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