CINCINNATI –First Quarter Recap
The Bengals won the toss and elected to defer to the second half.
We saw zero expected regular season starters out there for the Colts on the opening drive. Scott Tolzien led the offense all the way inside the 10-yard line, but Robert Turbin fumbled and the Bengals recovered at their own six-yard line.
After a couple of first downs from the Bengals, they would punt near midfield. The Colts did have some key contributors playing on the defensive line---Zach Kerr, T.Y. McGill and Hassan Ridgeway.
The Colts would then go three-and-out. We did see a lot of new running back Stevan Ridley early on against the Bengals.
The first quarter came to a close with the Bengals back across midfield.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at 0.Second Quarter Recap
It was a punt fest for the early part of this one in Cincinnati.
Teams continued to trade punts back and forth, even though both offenses had chances in opposing territory.
A sluggish first half from a highlight standpoint saw the Colts defense make the first major play of the second quarter. It was undrafted outside linebacker Curt Maggitt forcing a fumble and fellow undrafted outside backer Ron Thompson recovered it at the Bengals 48-yard line. The Colts took over with 5:02 left in the half and the game still scoreless.
It was Stephen Morris time on the Colts' next offensive drive. Things once again looked promising for the Colts, but another red-zone turnover would squelch any chance for points. Morris was picked by Bengals linebacker Nick Vigil at the Cincy six-yard line.
Cincinnati would run out the final 29 seconds of the first half.
At halftime, the Bengals and Colts were scoreless.Third Quarter Recap
It took until the 11:03 mark of the third quarter for our first points of the night. An 11-play, 67-yard drive by the Bengals was capped by a 21-yard field goal from Mike Nugent.
The Colts' first drive of the third quarter ended in a punt.
Cincinnati would once again cross midfield, but also had to settle for a punt with 4:32 left in the third quarter.
It was time for the Colts to get on the board. Morris led the Colts on an eight-play, 60-yard drive, with Adam Vinatieri connecting from 46 yards out with just 33 seconds left in the third.
At the end of the third quarter, the Bengals and the Colts were tied at 3.Fourth Quarter Recap
It was a nice night for the front seven reserves from Indianapolis. Their play led to a Bengals punt early in the fourth quarter.
It was time for Chester Rogers to make another play this preseason. A 46-yard reception by Rogers highlighted an 11-play drive. Vinatieri's 38-yard field goal gave the Colts a 6-3 lead with 7:22 remaining.
In what became a much more entertaining second half, the Bengals re-took the lead with 1:55 left. Former Ball State quarterback Keith Wenning found wide receiver Alonzo Russell for the 15-yard touchdown. The Bengals led 10-6 with less than two minutes to go.
Morris, for the third time this preseason, was back to lead a late-game drive with the score still in doubt. It was a nine-play, 75-yard drive with Morris finding Tevaun Smith on a 25-yard screen pass touchdown. The Colts lead was 13-10 with 40 seconds left.
The defense would hold on with Chris Milton's game-clinching interception. The Colts ended the preseason with a 13-10 victory down in Cincinnati.
Next up for the Colts are roster cuts (75-to-53) by Saturday afternoon. The Colts will get the regular season started a week from Sunday, when the Detroit Lions come to Lucas Oil Stadium.Colts In-Game Injuries
CB-Tevin Mitchel (hamstring, OUT for the game)Colts Players Not Expected To Play
TE-Dwayne Allen (hip)
DE-Henry Anderson (knee)
CB-Jalil Brown (foot)
CB-Darius Butler (ankle)
CB-Antonio Cromartie (rest)
CB-Vontae Davis (ankle)
S-Clayton Geathers (foot)
OT-Joe Haeg (ankle)
DE-Kendall Langford (knee)
OLB-Robert Mathis (rest)
ILB-Sio Moore (hamstring)
NT-David Parry (undisclosed)
CB-Patrick Robinson (groin)
CB-D'Joun Smith (ankle)
OG-Hugh Thornton (ankle).
RT-Joe Reitz (back)Colts Pre-Game Notes
- Thursday night's game (7:30 p.m. kickoff) can be seen locally on FOX 59 and will also be streamed on [Fox59.com.
](http://www.fox59.com) * The Colts roster currently sits at 75 players and here's a breakdown of that by position.
- Final roster cuts will occur on Saturday, with rosters going from 75-to-53 players.
- The Colts will begin the regular season on Sunday, Sept. 11 when they host the Detroit Lions.
Weather Update
-It's a perfect late summer night in Cincinnati. Temperatures are hovering around 80 degrees with the sun out at Paul Brown Stadium.
*Looking to have pre-reserve gameday parking at Lucas Oil Stadium? Check out ****Parkwhiz for your parking needs.***
