So the very worst part of Saturday was not what happened on Jonah Field.

The very worst part of Saturday was finding out a minute before kickoff that Larry Birleffi had died.

He was 90, but not to me. I'll always remember him from that night in November 1967 (Nov. 18, I had to look it up) when Peggy Jane the Mom and the three of us were huddled around the radio in our living room on Curtis Street in Laramie.

Of all of his 37 years of broadcasting football and basketball, that was the single night I'll remember the most.

Wyoming beat UTEP in El Paso, 21-19, and a Sugar Bowl berth was secured.

Can you imagine? Wyoming in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year's Day.

The Biffer was as big a part of Wyoming sports lore as any one achievement or any one person -- he truly was one of a kind.

And even though he held a journalism degree, his passion and loyalty for Wyoming sports was never questioned.

And the world is a much sadder, more cynical place without him.