The Denver Broncos wanted Adam Gotsis to step up and the big Australian delivered to help his team hold off the Los Angeles Chargers in their NFL season-opener.
The Broncos won 24-21 in Denver on Monday, after holding a 17-point lead midway through the last quarter.
Gotsis, a 193cm tall, 130kg defensive end from Melbourne, had five tackles and was involved in the decisive play of the game when teammate Shelby Harris blocked Chargers' rookie punter Younghoe Koo's field goal attempt.
Gotsis and Harris leapt in the air with five seconds left, with Harris getting his hand on Koo's 44-yard attempt to prevent the game going into overtime.
The Broncos' defensive line has been rocked by injury with defensive ends Zach Kerr and Jared Crick ruled out of the game.
Coach Vance Joseph called on Gotsis and Harris to step up.
Gotsis and Broncos' veterans Brandon Marshall and Darian Stewart topped the tackle count with five each.
Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian completed 17 of 28 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Chargers counterpart Philip Rivers completed 22 of his 33 passes for 192 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
The Chargers had been based in San Diego since 1961, but controversially relocated to Los Angeles in the off-season.
In Monday's other NFL game the Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints 29-19 in Minneapolis.
