On Sunday, Feb. 13, the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams will vie for football’s greatest crown at Super Bowl LVI. For the Bengals, it’s the end of a “Big Game” drought that dates back to 1989; for the Rams, it’s a second chance at the title in just three years. For both, the stakes involve Arkansas — in the Bengals’ Brandon Allen, the former Razorback; and the Rams’ Robert Rochell, former UCA Bear.
Allen, a Fayetteville native, was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Hogs, racking up more than 7,000 passing yards and 64 touchdowns (a record) during his time on the Hill. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He was waived in 2017, and would then spend time in Denver and with his upcoming foe in the Rams. The Bengals picked him up in 2020, where he has served as the primary backup to Joe Burrow, with Allen filling in as the starter when Burrow went down to injury last season.
According to HawgBeat, this extends a streak of 14 straight years the Hogs are represented in the Super Bowl.
Rochell, a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, spent five seasons as a cornerback for the UCA Bears, becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore. The Rams selected him with the 130th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The rookie was placed on injured reserve in December with a chest injury. CBS reports that, as of Jan. 21, Rochell has a 21-day practice window during which he may be reinstated to the active roster. It’s unclear whether or not he will play during the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl LVI will take place on Feb. 13 at 5:30 p.m. and will be televised on NBC.
Photos courtesy Cincinnati Bengals, LA Rams.
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