Saints march into Super Bowl

Hell has frozen over, pigs have flown and the New Orleans Saints are going to the Super Bowl.

It took overtime, but Saints kicker Garrett Hartley’s 40-yard field goal clinched a 31-28 win over the Vikings and erased 43 years of frustration on Sunday.

New Orleans’ pro-bowl quarterback Drew Brees threw three touchdown passes, and the Saints defense forced five Vikings turnovers to earn a berth in football’s biggest game against the Indianapolis Colts.

Southern Miss senior Tyrone Williams was at the game in the Louisiana Superdome, and said Sunday was one night he’ll never forget.

“It was the single greatest moment of my life,” the New Orleans native and architecture major said. “I sure as hell never thought I’d see it happen. I don’t care what happens in the Super Bowl, I feel like I’ve already won.”

As “Who Dats” across South Mississippi partied into the wee hours Monday morning following the Saints’ victory, perhaps USM’s most famous alumnus was taking questions on his future.

Kiln, Miss. native and Golden Eagle great Brett Favre threw for 310 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, but one of those interceptions came on a key play in the final minute of the game in Saints’ territory when Minnesota needed just a field goal to win.

He called another season “highly unlikely,” but said he’s not completely ruling out a return.

“Just wondering if I can hold up, especially after a day like today,” Favre said. “Physically and mentally. That was pretty draining. I am going to go home for a couple of days and just talk it over with the family.”

While most Southern Miss fans want to see Favre continue his career, Williams pointed out in the end, it’s up to him.

“If the Saints would have lost I would still be excited for Favre,” Williams said. “He proved he can still do it, so I think it is up to him whether he wants to come back. I’m betting he will.”

Saints fan and USM student Tiffany Wolfe, a freshman biology major from Hattiesburg, had to work during the game, but said she was able to watch most of it.

“It was a lot of fun, and (Favre) played well,” Wolfe said. “I think he should retire. I don’t think he will, but he should.”