Release: Colts vs. Texans at Houston

INDIANAPOLISCOLTS vs. HOUSTON TEXANS

DATE: Sunday, September 12, 2010

SITE: Reliant Stadium

KICKOFF: 1:00 p.m. (EDT)/12:00 p.m. (CDT)

CAPACITY: 71,054

SURFACE:Grass

The Indianapolis Colts open their 58th National Football League season, their 27th in Indianapolis and their second under Head Coach Jim Caldwell on Sunday, September 12, when they visit the Houston Texans. Kickoff for the contest, telecast by CBS Sports and broadcast nationally by Westwood One, in Reliant Stadium is 1:00 p.m. (EDT)/12:00 p.m. (CDT).

                Indianapolis owns a 15-1 series edge against the Texans, including six consecutive victories. The Colts took two close decisions over the Texans in 2009, 20-17 in Lucas Oil Stadium (11/8) and 35-27 in Houston (11/29). Each of the past four outings has been decided by eight points or less. Indianapolis is 7-1 in Reliant Stadium. These teams meet in a nationally-televised contest in Indianapolis on November 1. Since 1953, the Colts own an opening day mark of 32-25, including a record of 16-16 against AFC clubs and 16-9 versus NFC clubs. The Colts are opening a season on the road for the first time since 2006.   

The Colts are owners of the NFL's best regular-season record (128-48) since the start of the 1999 season, while being the only team to earn 10 playoff appearances in the last eleven seasons, including a league-best eight consecutive post-season berths. Indianapolis has won 73 of its last 89 regular-season games. The Colts own a 98-29 record (counting the playoffs) since the start of the 2003 season and are 84-24 since 2004. From November, 2003 to December, 2009, the Colts produced a regular-season record of 81-19, tying New England (2003-09) for the NFL's best 100-game regular-season mark. Indianapolis' winning ways include a 38-10 record in AFC South play, while the club has owned or shared the lead in 112 of 136 weeks of the division's existence. The Colts won five AFC South championships from 2003-07, the best divisional-title streak in club history. The Colts were wire-to-wire divisional leaders during the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 seasons. The club's nine playoff berths in the 2000-09 decade tied the NFL record set by Dallas (9) in the 1970s. Indianapolis is the only team since 2002 Realignment to earn annual double-digit victory totals and playoff berths. From 2008-09, the Colts set an NFL record with 23 consecutive regular-season victories (21, New England, 2006-08). The streak was the sixth 10 -game regular-season winning streak in franchise history (23, 2008-09; 13, 2005; 11, 1964; 11, 1975-76; 11, 1999; 10, 2005-06), the fourth since 1999. Indianapolis extended its NFL record as the only franchise to win seven or more consecutive regular-season games in six consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). Additionally, the Colts posted their eighth consecutive 10 -victory season, setting the 2nd-longest such streak in NFL history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98). Indianapolis earned its seventh consecutive season with 11 victories, surpassing the NFL record it had shared with Dallas (6, 1976-81). The Colts extended their league mark to seven consecutive seasons (2003-09) with 12 victories. The Colts produced 115 victories for the 2000-09 decade, surpassing the league record of 113 by San Francisco from 1990-99. 

                The Colts begin the 2010 season with 13 new players on roster. The current roster breakdown of experience revealing the club with only 10 players exceeding 30 years of age, 34 players being 25 years of age and under and an average age of 25.5. The NFL experience of the roster finds 23 players with four or more years of service, while 30 of 53 active players with the club have three years experience or less. The average experience for a Colts player on the opening-day roster is 4.2 years. A total of 40 of 53 players on the active roster finished last season with the club, while 13 new players are on hand (6 via the draft, 6 via free agency and 1 via trades or waivers). As of opening day (9/12), the ages of Colts players are as follows: 22- 2; 23- 12; 24- 6; 25- 14; 26- 4; 27- 3; 29- 2; 30- 2; 31- 3; 33- 1; 34- 1; 35- 2; 37- 1. As of opening day, the NFL experience of Colts players is as follows: Rookie- 8; 1st year- 3; 2nd- 10; 3rd- 9; 4th- 7; 5th- 3; 6th- 1; 7th- 1; 8th- 3; 9th- 1; 10th- 2; 11th- 1; 12th- 1; 13th- 2; 15th-1. The roster composition reflects 34 draft picks, 2 players acquired via waivers/trades, 1 acquired via unrestricted free agency and 16 acquired via free agency (including 2 rookie free agents). The following players on the active roster entered the NFL as undrafted free agents (began as Colt): K-Adam Vinatieri, C-Jeff Saturday, TE-Justin Snow, LB-Gary Brackett, DB-Melvin Bullitt, DT-Dan Muir, TE-Gijon Robinson, OG-Kyle DeVan, DT-Eric Foster, LB-Ramon Humber, DT-Mitch King, DB-Jacob Lacey, RB-Devin Moore, DB-Brandon King* and OT-Jeff Linkenbach*. Only four of 53 players on the Colts roster have played in a regular-season game on another team in the NFL. The players who have NFL experience other than with the Colts are DBs-Deshea Townsend and Justin Tryon, Muir and Vinatieri.

TELEVISION/RADIO: CBS Sports telecasts with Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf.  1070 The Fan/HANK-FM, 97.1 broadcasts with Bob Lamey, Will Wolford and Kevin Lee (field reporter). Westwood One broadcasts nationally with Howard David and Tony Boselli.

NEXT WEEK: Indianapolis hosts the New York Giants on Sunday, September 19 at 8:20 p.m. (EDT).

WWW.COLTS.COM: Please check the official website of the Indianapolis Colts for the latest in team information and merchandise.

HEAD COACHES

* *

*               JIM CALDWELL* was named head coach of the Colts on January 13, 2009, and this marks his ninth season with Indianapolis. Caldwell joined the club in 2002 as quarterbacks coach before adding the title of assistant head coach prior to the 2005 season. Caldwell was promoted to associate head coach with the club prior to the 2008 season. From 2002-09, Caldwell has been a part of Colts teams that produced 10-6, 12-4, 12-4, 14-2, 12-4, 13-3, 12-4 and 14-2 records. Indianapolis is the only team to earn 12 victories in seven consecutive seasons, setting the NFL's all-time standard. Indianapolis has had eight consecutive 10 -victory seasons, setting the second-longest streak in NFL history (16, San Francisco, 1983-98; 7, Dallas, 1975-81), and the Colts have surpassed Dallas (1976-81) as the only franchise to earn at least eleven victories in seven consecutive seasons. The Colts also have earned an NFL-best eight consecutive playoff appearances, and Indianapolis is the only team to post double-digit victory seasons and playoff berths each season since the 2002 realignment. From 2008-09, Indianapolis set the NFL record with 23 consecutive regular-season victories (21 New England, 2006-08). Indianapolis also won 115 regular-season games from 2000-09, the most by a team in a decade in NFL history. From 2004-09, Indianapolis became the only NFL team to win at least seven consecutive games in six consecutive seasons (8, 2004; 13, 2005; 9, 2006; 7 and 6, 2007; 9, 2008; 14, 2009). In 2009, Caldwell became the 5th NFL rookie head coach to reach the Super Bowl.  Caldwell joined Chuck Knox (L.A. Rams, 1973), Red Miller (Denver, 1977), Mike Martz (St. Louis, 2000) and Josh McDaniels (Denver, 2009) as the only rookie head coaches in the Super Bowl era to start 6-0. He became the fourth coach ever to start 6-0 when succeeding a head coach who won 100 games (Blanton Collier, Cleveland, 1963, succeeded Paul Brown, 111 wins; Jack Pardee, Washington, 1978, succeeded George Allen, 116 wins; Josh McDaniels, Denver, 2009, succeeded Mike Shanahan, 146 wins; Caldwell, Colts, 2009, succeeded Tony Dungy, 139 wins). Caldwell joined the Colts after serving as quarterbacks coach with Tampa Bay in 2001. Caldwell has more than 20 years of collegiate coaching experience. He spent 1993-2000 as head coach at Wake Forest. He served as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois (1978-80), Northwestern (1981), Colorado (1982-84), Louisville (1985) and Penn State (1986-92). Caldwell has coached in six bowl games and won a national championship with Penn State in 1986. In addition to serving on Joe Paterno's title staff, Caldwell tutored under three other coaches who won collegiate crowns (Rey Dempsey, Southern Illinois; Bill McCartney, Colorado; Howard Schnellenberger, Louisville). Caldwell was a four-year starter at defensive back at Iowa and worked as a graduate assistant for Iowa in 1977. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa. Caldwell was born on January 16, 1955 in Beloit, Wis.

                GARY KUBIAK became the second head coach in Texans history on January 26, 2006. Kubiak has directed the Texans to 6-10, 8-8, 8-8 and 9-7 records. Kubiak joined Houston after serving eleven seasons as offensive coordinator with Denver. Kubiak was with Denver for Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII titles, while totaling six championship appearances with the Broncos, three each as a player and coach. Kubiak began his coaching career in 1992 at Texas A&M. He joined San Francisco as QB Coach in 1994 before joining Denver. Kubiak was a QB at Texas A&M from 1979-82. He is a native of Houston.  

COLTS/TEXANS SERIES NOTES

The Colts and Texans are meeting for the 17th time, with Indianapolis owning a 15-1 series edge. Indianapolis swept the meetings in 2009, winning 20-17 at home on November 8, then posting a 35-27 victory at Reliant Stadium on November 29. In last year's second meeting, Indianapolis extended its franchise record with a 20th consecutive regular-season victory (on the way to a league-record 23 straight wins) a 35-27 come-from-behind triumph. Down 17-0 in the second quarter, Indianapolis responded with a 28-point second half to earn a league-record fifth consecutive fourth-quarter comeback victory. QB-Peyton Manning (27-35-244, 3 TDs/2 ints.) surpassed QB-John Elway (4,123) for 3rd-most completions in NFL history. It was the fifth time Manning directed the club to victory from a 17 -point deficit, the most times by any NFL QB. WR-Reggie Wayne was 3-19, 1 TD, while LB-Clint Session had a 27t interception in a 21-point fourth quarter to help seal the victory. Indianapolis clinched the AFC South title with the win. In the first meeting of 2009, countering a 17-0 Houston run that erased a 13-point lead, Indianapolis scored midway through the final period to outlast the Texans, 20-17. The victory was not secured until K-Kris Brown's 42-yard field goal attempt drifted wide left at the gun. Indianapolis led from the outset until the first play of the final period, but rallied when it mattered. Manning was 34-50-318, 1 TD/int., earning his 125th starting victory, surpassing Fran Tarkenton for 4th-most wins by an NFL starting QB. Manning became the first player in NFL history with 40,000 passing yards in one decade (40,299, 2000-09), and he became the first NFL QB with seven 300 outings in the first eight games of a season. DE-Dwight Freeney had a sack in a ninth consecutive game. Rookie DB-Jerraud Powers had an interception, while RB-Joseph Addai (14-63, 1 TD; 2t rushing/5-49, 1 TD; 7t receiving) had two scores. TE-Dallas Clark (14-119) tied the club record for single-game receptions and fell one reception shy of the NFL single-game mark for TEs. Wayne (635) passed WR-Raymond Berry (631) for 2nd-most receptions in club history. The Colts swept the series in 2008 (33-27 in Indianapolis 11/16; 31-27 at Houston on 10/5). In that year's meeting in Lucas Oil Stadium, scoring on its final five full possessions, Indianapolis posted a 33-27 victory. Manning (30-46-320, 2 TDs) directed an attack that produced 474 yards, while Addai (22-105, 1 TD rushing; 7t/4-48, 1 TD receiving; 23t) and WR-Marvin Harrison (9-77, 1 TD; 10t) had touchdown receptions. The club's five final scoring drives covered 66, 81, 80, 73 and 69 yards. Wayne was 7-90 receiving, and Indianapolis rushed 34-154. Houston was 25-177 rushing, led by RB-Steve Slaton (14-156, 1 TD; 71t). Freeney had two sacks, while DB-Melvin Bullitt ended the contest with an interception. K-Adam Vinatieri booted field goals of 40, 39, 32 and 31 yards. In Reliant Stadium on October 5, scoring 21 points in a 2:10 span of the final quarter, Indianapolis produced a stirring 31-27 victory. Indianapolis scored 10 first-quarter points before seeing Houston tally 27 unanswered points in taking a 17-point lead into the final minutes. Manning (25-34-247, 2 TDs/1 int.) sandwiched 7t and 5t scoring passes to TE-Tom Santi and Wayne (7-97) around LB-Gary Brackett's 68t fumble return as the Colts earned the win. The first scoring pass came with 4:04 remaining, and the final one came with 1:54 to go as Indianapolis became the first NFL team to erase a 17-point deficit in a game's final five minutes to win in regulation. The final touchdown was set up by DE-Robert Mathis' sack-fumble recovery at the Houston 20. Bullitt intercepted a pass at the club's 22 with :42 remaining as the three late takeaways spurred the comeback. Addai was 17-71, 1 TD rushing. Indianapolis won both 2007 meetings, 30-24 in Houston on September 23 and 38-15 in the RCA Dome on December 23. Fueled by a 21-point second quarter, Indianapolis produced a 38-15 victory in the second meeting in 2007. The Colts scored 35 points in the middle two periods. Manning (28-35-311, 3 TDs) directed an offense that produced 458 net yards. Addai tallied on a 2t rush, then TE-Dallas Clark (6-60, 2 TDs; 6t, 11t) and Wayne (10-143, 1 TD; 7t) helped produce the win. The Colts tallied three interceptions and controlled the ball for 35:45. In that year's game in Houston, overcoming a scoring kickoff return to start a game it would never trail again, the Colts posted a 30-24 win. Down 7-0 after 21 seconds, the Colts scored in every quarter afterwards. Manning (20-29-273, 1 TD) led an offense that gained 362 net yards and produced points off two defensive takeaways. Manning hit Clark (4-58, 1 TD; 2t) on a scoring pass, and Addai (22-72, 2 TDs; 4t, 8t) tallied two rushing scores. Indianapolis pushed a 14-10 halftime lead to 27-10 after three quarters. The teams split the series in 2006, with each team winning at home. Indianapolis posted a 43-24 win on September 17, while the Texans produced a 27-24 win on December 24 at Reliant Stadium. In 2005's battles the Colts took a 38-20 win at Houston on October 23 and a 31-17 win in the RCA Dome on November 13.   

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

PEYTON MANNING vs.

HOUSTON

* *

DATE                      *                         Att-Comp.*       Yds.                 Pct.                  TD           INT      LG           Rat.         Result

09/22/02 Road             28- 21            272        75.0            2           0        43t         128.9         W, 23- 3

12/01/02 Home           28- 15            190        53.6            1           0         35           86.9         W, 19- 3

10/26/03 Home           30- 22            269        73.3            3           0         57         133.9         W, 30-21

12/28/03 Road             38- 26            220        68.4            1           1         18           81.0         W, 20-17

11/14/04 Home           27- 18            320        66.7            5           2        80t         115.7         W, 49-14

12/12/04 Road             33- 26            298        78.8            2           0         34         124.5         W, 23-14

10/23/05 Road             27- 21            237        77.8            2           1         31         112.5         W, 38-20

11/13/05 Home           35- 26            297        74.3            3           0        30t         127.9         W, 31-17

09/17/06 Home           38- 26            400        68.4            3           0         37         129.3         W, 43-24

12/24/06 Road             27- 21            205        77.8            3           0        37t         135.5         L, 24-27

09/23/07 Road             29- 20            273        69.0            1           0         64         110.3         W, 30-24

12/23/07 Home           35- 28            311        80.0            3           0         42         132.3         W, 38-15

10/05/08 Road             34- 25            247        73.5            2           1         36         101.0         W, 31-27

11/16/08 Home           46- 30            320        65.2            2           0         28           99.9         W, 33-27

11/08/09 Home           50- 34            318        68.0            1           1         26           83.6         W, 20-17

11/29/09 Road             35- 27            244        77.1            3           2         31         100.2         W,  35-27

TOTAL                      540-386          4421        71.5          37           8       80t         112.4         15-1 overall

2009 RANKINGS (denotes ranking is tied)

RANKINGS            OFFENSE                     RANKING                         DEFENSE                   RANKING

                         Total    Rush      Pass         CONF.       NFL              Total     Rush   Pass         CONF.         NFL

Colts                 363.1     80.9     282.2       4-16- 2    9-32- 2           339.2   126.5   212.7       9-11- 9     18-24-14

Texans              383.1     92.2     290.0       2-14- 1     4-30- 1           324.9   106.9   217.9       7- 5-11     13-10-18                                                                                                                                         

BEST NFL RECORDS DURING 1999-2009 REGULAR SEASONS

COLTS ARE NFL'S WINNINGEST TEAM FROM 1999-2009: The Colts stand as the NFL's winningest team since the start of the 1999 season. The Colts own a 128-48 record during that span.