The game, a 31-17 contest that saw the Saints win their first title in franchise history, beat out the last episode of M*A*S*H, which drew 105.97 million viewers in 1983.

The viewership for this Super Bowl was up eight percent from 2009's contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.

Pendergast's role was not made clear in the team's release on the hiring.

Pendergast was fired as the defensive coordinator in Kansas City last month after spending one season with the team. He had spent the previous five years as defensive coordinator in Arizona and helped the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl last season.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in the days leading up to the Super Bowl thatStallworth would be reinstated following Sunday's marquee event; Stallworth sat out the 2009 season for violating the league's policies on substances of abuse and personal conduct.

Stallworth served 24 days of a 30-day jail sentence and received 10 years of probation as part of a plea agreement on a DUI manslaughter charge from March. He was initially suspended indefinitely by Goodell.

Marc participated in Winnipeg's training camp in 2009 and graduated from Delaware State in 2006. In his final year with the school, Marc ran for 1,230 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the Hornets to an 8-3 record.

Four years ago, Manning reached the summit by leading the Colts over Chicago in Miami to win the Super Bowl. Same stadium, same game, different result against a team that was destiny's pick - the New Orleans Saints.

Manning threw an interception that was returned 74 yards for a touchdown by Tracy Porter late in the fourth quarter to seal New Orleans' 31-17 win in Super Bowl XLIV.

The party will be rocking for the next few days in the Big Easy and Brees will be the guest of honor as his performance in Super Bowl XLIV garnered him the Most Valuable Player award.

With Mardi Gras less than 10 days away, New Orleans doesn't need any excuse for a good time, but Sunday's 31-17 win over Indianapolis and Brees' MVP award gives the city even more of an excuse and helps to further erase the memories of the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster that destroyed much of the city and even damaged the Superdome where the Saints play.

Drew Brees connected with Jeremy Shockey for the go-ahead two-yard touchdown pass with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter, lifting the Saints to a 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

Tracy Porter then sealed the fate of the Colts, picking off four-time MVP Peyton Manning and returning the ball 74 yards for a touchdown with 3:12 left, thwarting Indianapolis' chance for a second title in four years.

Drew Brees has lit a fire for the Saints with a spectacular performance over the last two quarters, but he'll need to lead the team to at least one more score if New Orleans is to celebrate its first-ever Super Bowl victory.

Garrett Hartley has kicked three field goals - all over 40 yards - for the Saints. New Orleans' lone touchdown came on a 16-yard pass from Brees to Pierre Thomas.

The Colts used a Peyton Manning touchdown pass to cap a 96-yard drive in the opening quarter and then had a goal-line stand to stop the Saints in the final two minutes of the half.

Matt Stover kicked a 38-yard field goal midway through the first quarter, and Manning ended the Super Bowl's record-tying longest drive with a 19-yard scoring toss to Pierre Garcon with 36 seconds remaining in the same period.

The Colts are off to a great start in their bid for a second championship in four years. Manning, a four-time league MVP, led the Colts to the Super Bowl title over Chicago following the 2006 season in this same stadium.

He engineered Indy on a scoring drive on the team's first possession with Matt Stover kicking a 38-yard field goal. Garcon's TD grab came with 36 seconds left in the quarter.

Waters, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is the fifth Chiefs player to win the award, the highest total of any team in the league.

"I am so appreciative of my wife, family, the National Football League, the Kansas City Chiefs and my teammates for their support," said Waters. "Most of all I am thankful to the many organizations and families that partner with the 54 Foundation. Their generosity and kindness have been a blessing to us. It is an honor to be considered for, and to win this illustrious award. I hope that I can be an encouragement to others to get involved and impact their own communities." Waters, a 10-year veteran, established the Brian Waters 54 foundation in 2004 and his foundation has awarded 82 college scholarships to low-income students. Also, his back-to-school programs h

The NCAA had denied an appeal by Florida State last month to overturn the vacation-of-records penalty. All that was left was Sunday's determination of which contests the ineligible student-athletes participated.

The NCAA's Division I Committee on Infractions originally levied the records penalty, along with a four-year period of probation and reduced scholarships, in March of 2009 for major violations across 10 sports involving 61 student- athletes during 2006 and 2007.

Freeney hasn't practiced all week due to a third-degree sprain and torn ligament in his ankle. He injured his ankle in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets two weeks ago and has yet to take part in a full practice session.

Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers (fractured foot) is also listed as active for the contest against New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, 6:25 P.M. (ET) Saints - 3rd QB Chase Daniel, TE Darnell Dinkins, RB Lynell Hamilton, TE Tory Humphrey, WR Adrian Arrington, G Jamar Nesbit, LB Anthony Waters, DE Paul Spicer Colts - K Adam Vinatieri, WR Sam Giguere, DE Ervin Baldwin, TE Colin Cloherty, DT Fili Moala, DT John Gill, G Mike Pollak, T Michael Toudouze

02/07 17:36:56 ET

Freeney has not practiced with the team since suffering an ankle injury in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets two weeks ago. He spent Saturday'swalkthrough ona golf cart and was officially listed as questionable on the team's injury report.

Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s on Sunday night, Freeney racked up 13 1/2 sacks this year in 14 games during the regular season. He was hurt trying to avoid Mark Sanchez after the Jets quarterback had just thrown a pass.

According to the Miami Herald, Sapp's girlfriend accused the former University of Miami and Tampa Bay Buccaneers star of choking her and throwing her into the couple's hotel room. The paper reported the police eventually charged Sapp with misdemeanor domestic battery, and that Sapp was taken to Miami-Dade County jail Saturday night.

The report says the TV network told the paper Sapp would be temporarily suspended while the matter is reviewed.

After a scoreless first quarter, UTEP cornerback Cornelius Brown returned a fumble 35-yards to the end zone, extending Texas' lead to 10-0 with 9:40 left in the opening half.

Following the break, Holliday scored on a 67-yard pass from Jackson State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux. His two-yard dash pushed the lead to 24-10 with 5:27 to play.

Joining the NFL's all-time leading receiver and leading rusher in the 2010 class, as chosen by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, are Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, John Randle, Dick LeBeau and Floyd Little -- the latter two both senior nominees.

The original list of candidates consisted of 131 modern-era players and was whittled down to 25 semifinalists in November and 15 finalists in January, not including the two senior nominees. Each finalist had to receive a minimum vote of 80 percent to be elected.

Marinelli will retain his title of assistant head coach, which he held this past season while serving as the team's defensive line coach.

He was hired by Chicago after three years as the Detroit Lions' head coach, a stint that included an 0-16 campaign in 2008 -- the first time an NFL team went the entire season without a win since the league went to a 16-game format.

Freeney injured his ankle in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets nearly two weeks ago and has yet to take part in a full practice session.

Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2000s on Sunday night, Freeney racked up 13 1/2 sacks this year in 14 games during the regular season. He was hurt late in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship Game, trying to avoid Mark Sanchez after the Jets quarterback had just thrown a pass.

He takes over for Mike Kelly, who was fired in mid-December after just one season in the wake of an arrest for an alleged domestic dispute.

Kelly compiled a 7-11 record in his only season guiding the club, missing out on the CFL playoffs.

The union on Thursday indicated that there could be a work stoppage in 2011, but Goodell is optimistic that a new collective bargaining agreement could be in place before the league goes into its 2010 season -- the final year of the current deal.

"We want an agreement and I think every owner will tell you the same thing," Goodell said. "The idea that ownership would be anxious for a work stoppage is false.

The Mountaineers scored 15 recruits -- 12 high school seniors and three junior college transfers.

Among them are quarterbacks Elijah Adamiak and Kalik Barnes.

Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he expects to part ways with the Chargers. He has two years remaining on his contract and is due a roster bonus of $2 million on March 5.

"I'm not coming back," Tomlinson told the paper. "I don't believe I'll be back in San Diego. I've accepted it." The Chargers told the paper they have made no roster decisions for 2010.

The Hall of Famer was drafted by the Steelers with the top overall pick in 1942 and led the league in rushing that season.

He served with the Army Air Corps during World War II piloting B-25s and B-29s and returned to play with four games left in the 1945 season.