DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - Web posted at 10:25:43 AM GMT

Ravens back up boasts with Super Bowl show

TAMPA - The brash Baltimore Ravens backed up their boasting and then some, scoring on offence, defence and special teams to record a crushing 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV on Sunday.

Baltimore's record-setting defence did what it has done all year, shut down the opposition, force turnovers and dominate the game from start to finish.

In an amazing reversal of fortune, Baltimore's sensational linebacker Ray Lewis was named the game's Most Valuable Player one year after being arrested and spending 15 days in jail in connection with a double murder on the night of last year's Super Bowl.

Lewis, who was later cleared of the charges, had seven tackles, tipped passes, harassed New York quarterback Kerry Collins and seemed to be everywhere at once, keeping the Giants from going anywhere."

"If you put this in a storybook, nobody would believe it," said Lewis, who added that he believed that God, "never will take you through Hell without bringing you to triumph."

"The trash-talking Ravens had the audacity to predict that their defence could shut out the Giants, and they just about did it as New York managed its lone touchdown on a Ron Dixon kickoff return."

"We're the best ever, the best ever right now," said a beaming Lewis.

Lewis had help from his fellow Lewises in giving Ravens owner Art Model his first Super Bowl championship in 40 years as an NFL owner.

Rookie running back Jamal Lewis ran 27 times for 102 yards and one touchdown and Jermaine Lewis ran back a kickoff 84 yards for a score.

In four post-season games on the way to their first championship, the Ravens allowed a mere 23 points total, hard facts to back up their claims that they just might be the best NFL defence of all time."

"Someone tell me they're not," said Brian Billick, who guided his team to a Super Bowl in just his second season as head coach.

"I'll argue it to the death."

"The game also marked a storybook homecoming for quarterback Trent Dilfer, who led his team to the championship in Tampa one year after being run out of town by the local Buccaneers for not being good enough to take that team to a Super Bowl.

Dilfer completed 12-of-25 passes for 153 yards and a 38-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley in the first quarter that got the rout underway.

Giants quarterback Kerry Collins, just two weeks after enjoying the game of his life in a 41-0 romp over Minnesota, endured a nightmare day.

He tied a Super Bowl record with four interceptions, including one that was returned 49 yards by Duane Starks for a touchdown.

He threw several more passes that were nearly picked off as the Giants turned over the ball five times.

Said Baltimore's Chris McAlister, who had one interception: "Our defence as a whole is the greatest thing ever to exist."

" - Nampa-Reuters

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