DENVER -- A week ago, Mike Anderson was a former Marine trying to survive the land mines of the NFL. On Monday, he was riding in a limousine en route to a television appearance befitting a superstar.

Such are the rewards after running for 131 yards and two touchdowns in his debut as Terrell Davis' temporary replacement.

"I was kind of shocked and still in amazement," Anderson said. "I couldn't believe what just took place. I woke up this morning feeling pretty good, but at the same time, I'm still trying to let it sink in."

	“	I'm the backup guy. I'm behind Terrell. There's no question about that. Whenever he needs a breather, more than likely I'll get in, so that's my role. ”
		— Broncos RB Mike Anderson

If Anderson was left with a surreal feeling, imagine how the Atlanta Falcons felt. Their only knowledge of the rookie came from limited preseason highlights and his reputation as the premier running back at Utah.

Anderson looked overwhelmed early, managing only 20 yards on his first 11 carries.

"I felt like they were trying to intimidate me just by hitting me a little harder and roughing me up a little bit," he said. "They kept attacking me and coming after me ... trying to kind of make me wimp out."

Undaunted, Anderson had 95 yards on his second 10 attempts as he became the first Denver back to rush for 100 yards in his first career start.

Though impressive, Anderson likely will return to a backup role when Davis returns to practice this week. Like a dutiful soldier, he accepts the assignment without argument.

"I'm the backup guy. I'm behind Terrell," he said. "There's no question about that. Whenever he needs a breather, more than likely I'll get in, so that's my role."

Davis, nearly a year removed from a season-ending knee injury, missed Sunday's game with a sprained left ankle. His health became more critical when Olandis Gary -- Davis' successor last year -- tore a knee ligament last week.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan planned to rotate Davis and Anderson as needed Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.

"Terrell is going to go as long as he can," Shanahan said. "If he needs a break, we'll put somebody in there. Mike went out and had an excellent game. ... We've got confidence that put in the same situation, if Terrell couldn't go the distance, he could come in and do the job."

Anderson said he received several phone calls from friends and family members in his hometown of Winnsboro, S.C., who watched the Denver game on television.

He also had about 10 people at the game, a support group already aware of his running ability. After Sunday's game and Monday's appearance on Shanahan's weekly TV show, Anderson might have a hard time remaining anonymous.

"I hope I can still be able to keep it low key, go places and slip right in," he said. "That was only one game. I just had a good game. I'm just trying to enjoy the moment."