University of Richmond Athletics
Hightower's Touchdown Catch Sends Cardinals To Super Bowl XLIII
Jan. 18, 2009
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Arizona rookie running back and former Richmond All-American Tim Hightower caught an eight-yard touchdown pass with 2:59 remaining and the TD stood as the game-winner to lift the Cardinals to the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
The Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 32-25, Sunday afternoon at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. to claim the NFC Championship. They will face either Pittsburgh or Baltimore in Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 in Tampa Bay.
Hightower came up big earlier on that game-clinching drive with a six-yard carry on fourth-and-one, moving the chains with the ball at midfield. Hightower finished the day with 11 carries for 33 yards, while his lone catch was the winning touchdown.
Arizona, which led 24-6 at the half, had to withstand 19 unaswered points Philadelphia. The Eagles took the lead at 25-24 with 10:56 remaining the game.
Hightower has scored three times in the postseason for the Cardinals, rushing for a score in the win over Atlanta and catching TDs in the Carolina and Philadelphia victories. He finished the regular season with 399 yards rushing and his 10 rushing TDs were with fourth-most among NFC backs.
The postseason has seen Hightower gain 131 yards on 34 carries (3.8 avg).
Should the Ravens defeat the Steelers, the Super Bowl would feature former CAA Football stars on each roster -- Hightower and Ravens starting QB Joe Flacco.