By Tim Graham
NEW ORLEANS --At halftime of Super Bowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens appear to be in control with a 21-6 lead over the San Francisco 49ers.
Turner-Carroll grad Corey Graham is a reason for that. He has been an on-the-spot star for the Baltimore Ravens throughout the postseason.
On the sports world's biggest stage tonight, Graham was involved in a game-changing turnover that helped swing momentum for the Ravens in the second quarter.
The 49ers got off to a slow start, committing costly penalties on each team's opening possession.
An illegal formation wiped out a 20-yard pass play to 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. On the Ravens' first series, an incomplete Joe Flacco pass on a third-and-9 should have forced a field goal. But linebacker Ahmad Brooks jumped offside, giving the Ravens another third-down chance. Flacco connected with Anquan Boldin over former Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner. Touchdown.
But the 49ers started to find their traction, driving 62 yards on 12 plays before kicking a field goal.
The 49ers forced a Ravens punt on the next possession and continued to move the ball with ease as the second quarter began.
Colin Kaepernick found Davis for a 29-yard gain and then hit him again for 11 yards. LaMichael James ran for 9 yards. Frank Gore ran for 7 more.
San Francisco was in control until James tried to run around the right end and got corralled by Graham, the Ravens' starting left cornerback who's had a marvelous postseason.
Graham wrapped up James, and outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw forced a fumble that defensive end Arthur Jones recovered.
Baltimore converted the turnover into a touchdown and a 14-3 lead. Flacco ended a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard toss to tight end Dennis Pitta.
On San Francisco's next play from scrimmage, Kaepernick threw an interception to Baltimore safety Ed Reed to dictate the first half further.
Baltimore should have taken a 14-point lead, but kicker Justin Tucker was stopped short of the first-down marker on a fake-field-goal rushing attempt.
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Corey Graham | Donte Whitner | Super Bowl XLVII
