Page "Super Bowl XIX" Paragraph 40

After the game, Blackwood criticized the referee's ruling of Solomon's fumble as an incomplete pass.

" You don't want the game to hinge on that play, but you never know ," Blackwood said.

" I could have taken the ball up the sideline.

That's a 14-point swing.

" However, other Dolphins were not convinced.

" We were dominated to the point where one play didn't make much of a difference ", said Dolphins coach Don Shula.

" Our major objective was to contain Montana, and we did a terrible, terrible job of it " added defensive coach Chuck Studley.

Even Roby, who averaged only 39. 3 yards per punt and didn't place any of his 6 punts in the 20, took some responsibility for the loss.

" I was trying to kill the ball, and I kicked it bad ," he said.

" I didn't hit one well.

I was scared -- scared to make a mistake.

It was the worst game of my life, counting high school, college, counting everything.

" Meanwhile in the 49ers locker room, Montana had his own explanation for the win.

" As far as my own game, well, I'd have to admit it was pretty close to the best I've ever played.

I didn't throw anything I didn't have confidence in.

We got in sort of a groove.

Once you get going like that you gain confidence, and it carries over to the defense, and then back to the offense.

It's a snowball kind of thing.