The score of the game wasn't the only thing defensive stalwart Karl Mecklenburg didn't like about Super Bowl XXIV, a 55-10 rout by San Francisco, the fourth loss in four tries for Denver in football's biggest show.
San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana riddled the Broncos' defense for 297 passing yards and five touchdowns, completing 22-of-29 passes. Montana's first of three touchdown passes to receiver Jerry Rice pushed the 49ers to a 7-0 lead, and after David Treadwell kicked a 42-yard field goal for the Broncos, the 49ers scored 34 consecutive points.
"No doubt they were better than us that day," Mecklenburg said, but the thought of losing by 45 points was just part of the anguish.