Ex-UH stars lift Broncos
By John Marshall
Associated Press
DENVER — Ashley Lelie was missing from Denver's offense for more than two months. The Broncos found him just in time.
Associated Press
Lelie made a leaping 46-yard catch to set up Jason Elam's 36-yard field goal with six seconds left, then Elam won it in overtime with a 25-yarder, as the former University of Hawai'i standouts led Denver to a 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns yesterday.
Denver's Ashley Lelie made a 46-yard reception to set up kicker Jason Elam in regulation. Elam won it in OT.
"I didn't look up and go, 'there's Ashley, he's dropped some balls, I better not throw it there,' " said Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer, who threw for 269 yards. "I stepped up and said, 'here's Ashley, he's going to make this catch.' "
Lelie was Denver's big-play receiver early in the season, averaging 22 yards on his first 12 catches. But he caught just 14 passes for an average of 11 yards per catch over the next eight games, including just three along with several drops the last three.
Lelie's fortunes changed on Denver's final drive in regulation, when he caught three straight passes and set up Elam's tying field goal by bumping Cleveland cornerback Michael Lehan off the ball at the Browns' 17.
"They never lost confidence in me. I never lost confidence in myself," said Lelie, who finished with four catches for 71 yards. "I made a couple drops in a couple games before, but it's football. You're going to make mistakes. It's how you bounce back from it."
Denver (9-5) has won three straight and four of five to stay at least a game ahead of Miami. The Broncos hold a tiebreaker advantage over the Dolphins, who host Philadelphia tonight. Cleveland dropped to 4-10.
Broncos running back Clinton Portis had to be helped off the field after spraining his right knee and ankle the play before Elam's winning kick. X-rays were negative and he will have an MRI today.
