Elway Leads Broncos to Victory Over Dolphins, 31-28

John Elway ran and passed the Denver Broncos to a 31-28 National Football League exhibition victory over the Miami Dolphins Monday night in a performance Coach Dan Reeves called typical.

“John’s first touchdown came from nothing, a broken play,” Reeves said. “He’s tough to contain, and that’s just one of his strengths.”

On that play, Elway dropped back to pass, looking to his right. His receivers, however, were covered, and just as he appeared about to be sacked, he sprinted off to the left and ran eight yards for a touchdown.

On his next play, Elway threw a long strike to rookie wide receiver Ricky Nattiel for a 53-yard gain, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Rich Karlis.

Moments later, after an interception by cornerback Mark Haynes, Elway hit tight end Clarence Kay on an 8-yard scoring pass as the Broncos scored 17 second-quarter points en route to a 24-0 lead.

Reeves was pleased with the 471 total yards generated by his offense but not with two second-half turnovers that helped let Miami back in the game.

Running back Gene Lang put Denver ahead, 24-0, three minutes into the second half when he burst off the right side and outraced the Dolphin secondary for a 76-yard touchdown.

Miami--playing without quarterback Dan Marino and linebacker John Offendahl, both of whom are injured--capitalized on a pair of Bronco fumbles to get two scores.

Don Strock, who started in place of Marino and went most of the way, hit Mark Clayton on a fourth-down, 5-yard touchdown pass late in the third period. Strock then connected with Mark Duper on a 30-yard scoring play after Duper shook off a would-be Denver tackler at the 10-yard line.

But the Broncos countered with a 78-yard drive, capped by backup quarterback Gary Kubiak’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Mark Jackson with 7:37 remaining.

Former Ram and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, signed by the Dolphins last week, made it close with two touchdown passes to James Pruitt in the final six minutes.