Indianapolis Fumbles It Away, 17-14

Even on a day when rookie quarterback Jack Trudeau threw for more yards than any Colt quarterback in five seasons, Indianapolis’ inept offense was limited to 14 points.

Rookie Rueben Mayes ran for 108 yards and Johnnie Poe recovered a crucial Colts fumble with 1:47 to play Sunday to give the New Orleans Saints a 17-14 victory over winless Indianapolis.

The Colts, who came in with an NFL-low 41 points in 5 games, dropped to 0-6 despite Trudeau’s strong showing.

The rookie from Illinois completed 24 of 44 passes for 315 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was the most yardage by a Colt quarterback since Bert Jones threw for 357 yards against Miami in 1981.

Trudeau guided Indianapolis to the Saints’ 16 with 2:00 to play. But Mark Boyer fumbled Trudeau’s final completion, and Poe recovered to end the Colts’ last threat.

Matt Bouza caught both of Trudeau’s touchdown passes, for 24 and 15 yards, as the Colts came back from a 17-0 deficit in the second half. Bouza finished with 7 receptions for 94 yards.

Dave Wilson, who completed 11 of 26 passes for 131 yards for the Saints (2-4), threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Mike Jones, but had three of his passes intercepted by cornerback Leonard Coleman.