Experienced Grbac comes out on top in battle of former Michigan quarterbacks

With the Broncos, he's 0-2 as a starter, and was yanked in favor of Bubby Brister with 9:17 left in Kansas City's, 26-10, victory over Denver yesterday.

Converting points off a Terrell Davis fumble and two turnovers off Griese, the Chiefs dropped the two-time defending Super Bowl champions to 0-2.

Griese, who threw just three passes last year in his rookie season, was 11-of-16 for 107 yards, with one interception and one fumble, before being replaced by Brister.

Brister didn't fare any better, throwing an interception that led to Pete Stoyanovich's fourth field goal, a 27-yarder with 2:14 left.

AP PHOTOYesterday's Denver-Kansas City contest was a showdown between two fomer Michigan quarterbacks - Brian Griese and Elvis Grbac - despite the fact that a Bubby Brister interception is being returned here. AP PHOTO

Perhaps most embarrassed was Dale Carter, Kansas City's former Pro Bowl cornerback who was making his first appearance in Arrowhead Stadium after signing a free-agent contract with the Broncos.

Carter got beat twice on deep patterns by former Michigan receiver Derrick Alexander, who totaled 117 yards on six catches.

He also nullified a 15-yard sack of another former Wolverine, Elvis Grbac, when he was called for illegal contact on the Chiefs' last touchdown drive.

Kimble Anders, who injured his ankle late in the fourth quarter, carried 22 times for a career-high 142 yards as the Chiefs (1-1) handed Gunther Cunningham his first victory as a head coach.

Griese, who did not throw an interception in Denver's 38-21 loss to Miami last Monday night, was picked off early in the second quarter by safety Jerome Woods on the Chiefs 43.

A few minutes later, Pete Stoyanovich made it 3-3 with a 19-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Derrick Thomas sacked Griese, stripped him of the ball and recovered the fumble on the Denver 27 late in the third, and Stoyanovich converted a 44-yarder for a 16-3 lead.

AP PHOTO

09-20-99