Final Score: Saints 23, Colts 17
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Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes in his first (and probably only) game of the preseason Saturday night, lifting the New Orleans Saints to a 23-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Here’s how it went down:
Chandler Harnish Threw a Touchdown Pass
After a 42-yard run by Boom Herron, receiver Josh Lenz catches a 22-yard touchdown from Chandler Harnish.
Saints lead the Colts 20-17.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 24, 2014
Chandler Harnish, a third-year quarterback out of Northern Illinois, hit Josh Lenz on a 22-yard touchdown strike that brought the Colts to within 20-17 with 13:39 left in the game.
Harnish replaced Matt Hasselbeck, who went 6-for-9 passing for 52 yards, no touchdowns and 1 interception in relief of Andrew Luck.
The Colts Offense Struggled in the 1st Half
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Andrew Luck’s touchdown pass to Coby Fleener was the one bright spot in an otherwise ugly first half for the Colts offense.
Luck was just 9-for-17 passing in the half for 101 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Indy had a chance to score a touchdown in the final seconds of the half, but Luck’s pass to Fleener was incomplete on 3rd-and-goal from the 2, and the Colts had to settle for a 20-yard Adam Vinitieri field goal that made it 20-10 with 13 seconds left in the half.
Drew Brees Hit Marques Colston for a Touchdown
TOUCHDOWN! Brees to Colston for a 13-yd score #NOvsIND pic.twitter.com/Y8xv6wrJtY
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 24, 2014
Brees led another impressive drive late in the first quarter, this one culminating in a 13-yard touchdown strike to Marques Colston, who made a nifty leaping grab in the back of the endzone with 32 seconds left in the first quarter.
Brees came out of the game on the next series and was replaced by Luke McCown.
Andrew Luck Threw a Touchdown Pass to Coby Fleener
Coby Fleener with the fake dunk attempt after hauling in a 21-yard touchdown from Andrew Luck.
#NOvsIND tied at 7 with 3:19 left in the 1st
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 24, 2014
Andrew Luck hit Coby Fleener breaking down the middle of the field for a 22-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7 with 3:19 left in the first quarter.
Fleener then went up and faked an attempt at dunking the ball through the goalposts. It’s a good thing he didn’t follow through. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was recently fined $30,000 for dunking through the goalposts.
The Saints Scored on Their Opening Drive
Drew Brees wasted no time leading his first touchdown drive of the preseason.
Brees, who missed the Saints’ first two preseason games with oblique injury, hit Austin Johnson for a touchdown with 9:33 left in the first quarter to put New Orleans on the board, capping a 13-play, 80-yard drive.
Pregame: Brees Ready for Debut
WHO: Saints at Colts
WHEN: Sunday, 8 p.m. Eastern
WHERE: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: CBS
LIVE STREAM: NFL preseason live (subscription needed)
LINE: Colts by 2 1/2
HEAVY’S PICK: Saints 30, Colts 23
