Bernstine Helps Broncos Beat Former Teammates : AFC: Running back’s touchdown run late in the third quarter extends Denver’s lead in 34-17 victory over San Diego.

DENVER — John Elway threw two touchdown passes, and Rod Bernstine, hounded most of the day by his former teammates, scored on a one-yard run as the Denver Broncos beat the San Diego Chargers here Sunday, 34-17. “Any time you can beat an old ballclub, you have to be excited,” said Bernstine, who endured a rough reunion, managing only 39 yards rushing in 14 carries and adding 22 yards on four receptions.

Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, who failed to make a tackle in the season opener, had three tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery--all in the first half.

The Bronco defense limited the Chargers to 68 yards in 24 carries and held Marion Butts, who came into the game as the AFC’s No. 2 rusher, to four yards in eight carries.

Denver (2-0), defeating San Diego for the seventh straight time at Mile High Stadium, built a 17-0 halftime lead, but the Chargers (1-1) capitalized on two turnovers for a pair of quick third-quarter touchdowns to draw to within 17-14.

Elway then appeared to have thrown his third touchdown pass, but wide receiver Vance Johnson was ruled down at the one-yard line on the 46-yard play.

Bernstine, signed by the Broncos this year as a free agent after six seasons in San Diego, scored on the next play, and the Broncos led, 24-14, with 59 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Chargers got a 30-yard field goal by John Carney with 9:25 remaining, but Denver rookie Jason Elam countered six minutes later with a 54-yarder--the fourth-longest in Bronco history.

Whatever late comeback hopes the Chargers had were extinguished when safety Steve Atwater intercepted a pass by Stan Humphries and returned it 68 yards to the San Diego six, setting up Robert Delpino’s one-yard scoring dive.

Defensive end Dan Williams, the Broncos’ first-round draft choice, tore a ligament in his right knee and will miss four to six weeks.