Introduction
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2. Matt Bahr – Kicker, 1991, New York Giants: Super Bowl XXV between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants was played at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL. New York won 20-19, the only Super Bowl ever to be decided by one point. The game is remembered historically for two reasons: 1) Whitney Houston’s rendition of the national anthem, which went on to be a top 20 hit and 2) Scott Norwood, wide right. Running back Ottis Anderson, who ran for 102 yards and a touchdown, was named MVP.

Matt Bahr, drafted in the 6th round (165th overall) in the 1979 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, played 17 seasons in the NFL. Although we mentioned the Bahr Brothers in the honorable mention section, Matt deserves a spot on his own on our top ten performances list. In the closest Super Bowl in history, Matt went 2-2 on PAT attempts and a perfect 2-2 on field goal attempts, including what proved to be the game winner. Worth noting in the NFC Championship game, Bahr went 5-5 including the game winner as time expired to get the Giants to the Super Bowl in a 15-13 victory.

Bahr deserves the #2 spot on the list because of his clutch kicking and impact on the game. He started the game by kicking off to the Bills and making the tackle on the opening kickoff play. He started the scoring with a 28-yard field goal on the Giants first possession. After his team fell behind, he made both extra points to help give New York the lead17-12 going into the fourth quarter.

Buffalo quickly scored to take a 19-17 lead with 14:52 left in the game. When New York got the ball back, they drove the field behind Anderson and quarterback Jeff Hostetler. The 14-play, 74 yard drive stalled at the Buffalo three yard line when Hostetler’s pass was battled down incomplete. Bahr came on to the field and kicked a 21 yard field goal with 7:20 left in the game, making the score 20-19 New York. Buffalo was unable to cross midfield on their next possession, and their final possession ended when Norwood missed a 47 yard field goal attempt with four seconds left; the first of four consecutive Super Bowl defeats for the Bills.

1. Franco Harris – Running Back, 1975, Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl IX was played between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, LA. Pittsburgh won 16-6 in a defensive struggle between the Steel Curtain and the Purple People Eaters. Proud Penn Stater Franco Harris rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown, good enough to earn him game MVP honors and #1 on our all-time list.

Franco Harris, drafted in the 1st round (13th overall) in the 1972 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl Champion. Harris was a horse in this game, carrying the ball 34 times for 158 yards and a touchdown. The game was, as advertised, a battle of two of the best defenses in the NFL and it showed. Neither team could get their offense going in the first half; the score was 2-0 Pittsburgh at the midway point. Harris was bottled up early, gaining only nine yards on his first four carries. Finally late in the first quarter Harris broke loose for 14 yards, and helped get the Steelers into field goal position, but they fumbled the snap and did not convert.

The teams continued to beat each other up in the 2nd quarter, and before breaking off a 25 yarder with under a minute left, Harris had 10 carries for only 22 yards. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, Harris started the second half running the same way he ended the first, going for 24 yards off left tackle on his first carry. Another Harris run to the right, and a nine yard sweep to the left gave Pittsburgh its first touchdown and a 9-0 lead it would never relinquish.

When Pittsburgh got the ball back with 11:16 left in the third quarter, they seemed determined to ride their young fullback to the victory line. 20 times in the next 35 plays, Harris was handed the ball behind the line of scrimmage. He gained 67 yards, but also fumbled twice, losing the ball once in the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh picked him up as Mean Joe Greene recovered a fumble at the three yard line to prevent the Vikings from scoring. By pounding the ball with Harris and Rocky Bleier, Pittsburgh was able to gain yards and take time off the clock before finally scoring with 3:31 left in the game to make it 16-6. Harris was named MVP of his first Super Bowl, the first of four in his illustrious career. Not even Louis Freeh can take that away from him.

Thank you for following our list of top ten PSU performances in Super Bowl history! I saved the Excel file with all the winning players and their statistics that I used to create this list and article. If you are interested, feel free to download it here.

Follow VBR Staff Writer Ryne Crabb on Twitter

Introduction
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4. Jack Ham – Linebacker, 1979, Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl XIII was the first rematch in the game’s history as the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Dallas Cowboys at the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. Pittsburgh won 35-31 behind MVP Terry Bradshaw, who threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Interesting notes: 1) Both Dallas and Pittsburgh were trying to become the first team ever to win three Super Bowls. 2) Future Hall of Famers involved in the game included 14 players, both head coaches, and four front-office personnel. 3) Dallas is the only team, to date, that scored 30 points and lost in Super Bowl history.

Jack Ham, drafted in the 2nd round (34th overall) in the 1971 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a member of the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames. In this game, featuring the league’s two best defenses, Ham’s efforts stood out as he recorded eight unassisted tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass deflection. Remember, as pointed out in the introduction, 70s-era Super Bowls had around 20% less offensive plays than current day Super Bowls. Even so, Ham’s efforts would put him in the top ten statistically in all Super Bowls played since the 2000 season.

Ham was squared up against Tony Dorsett for the majority of the game, trying to slow down one of the league’s most powerful runners. His first three tackles were all made stopping Dorsett, including a big tackle for a three yard loss on Dallas’ first possession after Pittsburgh tied the game 14-14.After gaining 38 yards on his first three carries, Dorsett was bottled up by Ham and the Steel Curtain; he only gained nine yards on his next four carries going into halftime. Fittingly, his last tackle of the game, and eight unassisted tackle of the game, was also on Dorsett.

One of the praises you always hear about Jack Ham was his ability to play against the run and defend against the pass, a rarity in that time. Ham showed his abilities in the Super Bowl making two tackles while in pass coverage, including a pass deflection on a key drive in the fourth quarter of the game. Ham also made two tackles in draw plays, designed to trick to defense into thinking pass before handing the ball off to the running back. Ham was all over the field and submitted a dominate defensive performance for the ages.

3. Franco Harris – Running Back, 1980, Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl XIV was a battle between the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. It still holds the record for attendance with 103,985 fans at the game. Pittsburgh scored 14 points in the 4th quarter to win 31-19, their fourth Super Bowl in team history. Despite throwing three interceptions, quarterback Terry Bradshaw was named MVP.

Franco Harris, drafted in the 1st round (13th overall) in the 1972 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl Champion. In this game, Harris had two touchdowns and 46 yards on 20 carries, and three receptions for 66 yards. His 112 total yards are greater than either his 1976 or 1979 efforts. Harris’ two touchdowns in the 1980 Super Bowl equal the total of those two games combined.

Another day, another Franco Harris Super Bowl performance that makes our top ten list. If you’ve been following along since the beginning, you already know how this story goes: Pittsburgh starts the game pounding the ball on the ground to set up the pass. Their opening possession six straight runs (Harris 3 times for 5 yards, Rocky Bleier 3 for 16) until Bradshaw found Harris for a 32 yard pass. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the drive stalled and they had to settle for the field goal and an early 3-0 lead. Franco started their second possession off with a 12 yard run and finished it with a one yard sweep right to give Pittsburgh a 10-7 lead early in the 2nd quarter, but he only had two more carries for three yards the rest of the half as the Steelers trailed 13-10.

Starting the 2nd half with the ball, Pittsburgh ran Bleier once and Harris twice (for six yards) before Bradshaw connected with Lynn Swann for 47 yards and another Steeler lead. Harris collected good stats the rest of the quarter, but none led to Pittsburgh points as Los Angeles led 19-17 going into the fourth and final quarter. Harris ended up with two receptions, one for 14 yards, one for 20, and four carries (for only six yards) in the third quarter. He also collected a tackle after Bradshaw threw a pick in the red zone near the end of the half.

In the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh scored early and never gave up the lead. Harris carried the ball five times to help kill out the clock and preserve the Steelers lead. With 1:49 left in the game, Franco iced it for his team with a one yard plunge into the end zone, his 2nd touchdown of the game. That score made it 31-19 and it would remain that way, giving Harris his fourth and final Super Bowl championship.
Check back tomorrow to find out the runner-up and who is #1!

Follow VBR Staff Writer Ryne Crabb on Twitter

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Introduction

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6. Matt Suhey – Fullback, 1986, Chicago Bears: In Super Bowl XX, the Chicago Bears faced off against the New England Patriots at the Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Chicago entered the game as 10 point favorites and rolled the cinderella Patriots 46-10. Chicago held New England to -19 yards in the first half, and only 123 for the game, and defensive end Richard Dent was named MVP.

Matt Suhey, drafted in the 2nd round (46th overall) in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, is a true Penn Stater. Matt Suhey’s father Steve Suhey lettered at Penn State, as did Matt and two of his brothers. Matt’s son, Joe Suhey also played for the Nittany Lions. During the 1985 season, Matt only had one rushing touchdown in 16 games. He matched that effort in the Super Bowl, carrying the ball 11 times for 52 yards and a touchdown; he also added a 24 yard reception. Suhey’s main role on the team during the season was blocking for future Hall of Famer Walter Payton, however, in the Super Bowl the Patriots defense keyed on Payton.

After an opening series which was ended by a Payton fumble, the Bears ran Suhey twice for 12 yards, compared to only one carry for Payton. The drive ended with a field goal to tie the game 3-3. Late in the first quarter a fumble by the Patriots Craig James gave the Bears the ball at the New England 13. Suhey ran the ball two consecutive plays, the second attempt being an 11 yard carry for a touchdown to put Chicago up 13-3.

New England responded by going three and out and on Chicago’s first possession of the 2nd quarter, it was more Suhey. Quarterback Jim McMahon found Suhey for 24 yards down the left sideline, and handed the ball off to him three consecutive plays for 7 yards, 1 yard, and 3 yards to set up a first and goal on the 4. On the second play, McMahon took the ball himself the rout was on, 20-3 with 7:24 left in the half. Suhey had a potentially game-changing fumble on the next possession, but the revolutionary Chicago 46 defense bailed him out. To help close out the game in the second half, Suhey had three carries for 15 yards.

5. Franco Harris – Running Back, 1979, Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl XIII was the first rematch in the game’s history as the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Dallas Cowboys at the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. Pittsburgh won 35-31 behind MVP Terry Bradshaw, who threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns. Interesting notes: 1) Both Dallas and Pittsburgh were trying to become the first team ever to win three Super Bowls. 2) Future Hall of Famers involved in the game included 14 players, both head coaches, and four front-office personnel. 3) Dallas is the only team, to date, that scored 30 points and lost in Super Bowl history.

Franco Harris, drafted in the 1st round (13th overall) in the 1972 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl Champion. In this game, Harris carried the ball 20 times for 68 yards and a touchdown and caught a 22 yard pass. Dallas and Pittsburgh had the top ranked defenses in the league, and behind “Too Tall” Jones did a good job bottling up Harris most of the day. On their first possession, they ran Harris twice but gained only one yard. They opened the second possession with Harris again, this time for five yards, and then two plays later Bradshaw found him for the 22 yard reception but the drive ended after a Bradshaw interception.

On the Steelers’ third possession, Harris started the drive with two carries for 15 yards, but Bradshaw fumbled the next play which led to a Dallas touchdown to tie the game 7-7 at the end of the first quarter. To start the second quarter, after a 10 yard pass, Pittsburgh ran Harris for 7, 1, and then 3 yards for a first down. Bradshaw threw two incompletions and collided with Harris causing him to fumble. It was picked up by “Hollywood” Henderson of Dallas and returned for a touchdown. When Pittsburgh got the ball back, it pounded Harris twice to the left side of the line before Bradshaw was able to find John Stallworth for a 75 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14 with 10:25 left in the half.

Franco Harris carried the ball six times for -3 yards from that point leading up to the 4th quarter, twice being tackled for a loss by “Too Tall” Jones. On Pittsburgh’s first possession of the final quarter, Harris carried three times but only for nine yards. Then, with 7:10 left in the game, he broke loose for a 22 yard touchdown to give the Steelers as 28-17 lead. Dallas fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Pittsburgh added another touchdown to ice the game.

Check back tomorrow for numbers 3 and 4!

Follow VBR Staff Writer Ryne Crabb on Twitter

Introduction 10-9

8. Franco Harris – Running Back, 1976, Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl X showcased the Pittsburgh Steelers vs the Dallas Cowboys at the Orange Bowl in Miami, FL. Pittsburgh rallied in the fourth quarter to win 21-17 behind a Super Bowl record 161 yards on four catches from Lynn Swann, who was named MVP of the game.

Franco Harris, drafted in the 1st round (13th overall) in the 1972 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl Champion. Harris carried the ball 27 times for 82 yards, and added a 26 yard catch. On their first possession, the Steelers ran five consecutive plays, four of which by Harris who accumulated 16 yards before they had to punt. On the second possession, another four consecutive runs, two by Harris for 12 yards. Once the Cowboys defense sucked in to stuff the run, Bradshaw went deep to Swann for 32 yards, leading to a Steeler touchdown. Dallas was able to slow Harris after that, holding him to only 17 more yards to rest of the half.

Even though they were down at the halftime, 10-7, Pittsburgh continued to hammer the Cowboys with Harris. Five of their first six plays of the 2nd half were to Harris: they ran right, sweep right, left around, right off tackle, and left again. Pittsburgh was still down 10-7 going into the 4th quarter, and opened with a 26 yard pass to Harris. The Steelers continued to pound Harris into the Cowboys line, up 15-10 with 4:25 left in the 4th. The touchdown that sealed the deal that possession was simple: Franco for four yards, Franco for two yards, and then Bradshaw to Swann for the 64 yard TD.

7. Matt Millen – Linebacker, 1984, Los Angeles Raiders: Super Bowl XVIII was a battle between the Los Angeles Raiders and Washington Redskins at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL. The Raiders took an early lead and never looked back winning 38-9. Running back Marcus Allen was the MVP of the game, the only championship by a team from Los Angeles.

Matt Millen, drafted in the 2nd round (43rd overall) in the 1980 NFL Draft, was part of a feared Raiders defense featured Pro Bowlers Howie Long, Millen, and Rod Martin. Millen had six tackles and one sack in the game. On Washington’s second possession of the game Millen made two tackles on bruising running back John Riggins, who was last year’s Super Bowl MVP. When Joe Theismann had the Redskins driving on their first possession on the 2nd quarter, Millen came up with a huge sack when Theismann rolled out on the play. After the loss of seven yards, Washington was unable to convert and had to punt to Los Angeles, who drove down the field to take a 14-0 lead.

Millen’s most famous contribution to the game was a play he wasn’t even on the field. Trailing 14-3 with :12 seconds left in the first half, Washington called a “Rocket Screen.” Raiders LB coach recognized the play, and pulled an enraged Millen, who was going to blitz, off the field for Jack Squirek to jump the screen. He did, and took it all the way for a touchdown to give LA a commanding 21-3. Millen added three more tackles, all against Riggins, in the third quarter, which ended with the Raiders leading 35-9.

Check back tomorrow for numbers 6 and 5!

I have a friend, Frank Ahrenhold, who played defensive tackle for Penn State from 1968 to 1972 and who has one of the two game balls given out after one of Penn State’s most iconic victories: the 30-6 stomping of Texas in the 1972 Cotton Bowl. This was the game that showed the country how to stop the wishbone and that brought Penn State, once and for all, into the national discussion.

I recently talked to Frank about that game, and other things about Penn State, and I’d like to share what he said.

It’s a well known story. Penn State was undefeated in 1968 and finished second in the national polls. The next season, Penn State went undefeated again and, after Richard Nixon declared Texas the national champion on a visit to Texas, the Nittany Lions were voted second in the polls again.

“We had the ’68 and ’69 teams that ran off 22 games in a row,” Ahrenhold said, “a couple Orange Bowl victories, and we finished #2 in the polls both years. And then we came to sort of a down year, after Mike Reid and Steve Smear and all of those guys graduated. We lost three games that season, and I think we were offered the Liberty Bowl or something like that, and we just said the heck with it and passed on it.

“So anyway, people were saying that we were just another flash in the pan. You know, another eastern school who made a little bit of noise and then at the end of the day just kind of disappeared into the background. But I came in with a talented recruiting class. I came in with guys like Franco Harris, Lydell Mitchell, Gary Grey, Dick Joyner, just big time Pennsylvania kids, big 33 kids, solid recruiting class. We were chaffing a little about the fact that people were dismissing us. So we saw our chance to make some noise in the 1971 season, and we came into that year with a chip on our shoulder and I think the staff did, too.

“We started off strong, too, and just kept on going. We went into Syracuse, who was supposed to be the team to beat in the east, and just crushed them. I don’t think they got a first down until the second half. We ran off the rest of them until we went to Tennessee, and I don’t know, that was one of those games where we couldn’t get out of our own way–we fumbled three punts and stuff like that–and ended up losing the game. And it was just so disheartening.

“But it was our only loss, and then we were offered a shot at the Cotton Bowl. And for all of us guys on that team, that meant a lot because we all felt that we got snubbed when Texas got that championship and we thought this was our chance at retribution. We saw an opportunity to shut some people up, to be honest with you. We had a good team and we knew we did.”

“It was also Texas, so it was payback time. We had a chance to beat a big-time southern school on their own turf, and do it convincingly.”

So the stage was set to face the Longhorns and their wishbone offense, which had yet to be even slowed down. The Lions, however, had a plan. “We knew we had to get them going sideways,” Ahrenhold said. “We were an eight-man front, basically a stack-eight. The only two down linemen we ever played were the two defensive tackles. So our job was just create havoc. Get on their guards and drive them into the backfield, and have the linebackers just scrape off that. So basically, we dared their five offensive linemen to block our four, and we didn’t think there was a team in the country who could do that.

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