Two former UCF Knights participated as starters in the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday as Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel represented the gold and black with big plays in Miami.

The AFC evened up the all-time series at 20 apiece with a 41-34 win.

Marshall caught a pass from Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, the game’s MVP, with 6:59 remaining in the first quarter and carried Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown to put the AFC up 14-3.

He was inserted into the starting lineup as a replacement for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne. Marshall, a Winter Park native who attended Lake Howell High School, set an NFL record for receptions against the Colts in December by hauling in 21 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, Samuel broke up three passes intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco from Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young. The first came along the sideline with over two minutes to go in the first quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Samuel got his hand on a pass in the end zone to break up a pass, then broke up another on a short route before intercepting Young over the middle inside the five-yard line and returning it just short of midfield.

Samuel finished the regular season tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with nine picks along with Jarius Byrd of the Buffalo Bills, Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints and Charles Woodson of the Green Bay Packers. He also closed out 2009 with 25 passes defended for seventh-best in the league.

UCF was one of only six college football programs to have multiple Pro Bowl starters in this year’s game. Led by the University of Miami with five starters, California (3), Texas (2), NC State (2) and Kent State (2) also had more than one alum in the starting lineup on Sunday.

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