Colts End Disappointing Season on a High Note

The Indianapolis Colts gave their fans a glimpse of the team they could have been this season.

Peyton Manning threw for two touchdowns, Dominic Rhodes ran for 141 yards and the defense forced four turnovers and allowed a season-low point total as the Colts closed out a disappointing season with a 29-10 victory over Denver.

“I’m proud of the way our defense played,” Coach Jim Mora said. “A little luck is involved in this game, with tipped passes going into other hands and things like that. Today some of that went our way.”

For Mora, it was an emotional day in what could have been his final game as Indianapolis coach.

Last year, Mora became the first Colt coach to win 10 games in consecutive seasons since Ted Marchibroda in 1976-77, but this season turned sour fast.

Sunday’s victory was only the second in the last nine games for the Colts (6-10), who finished with their first losing season since 1998--Mora’s first season in Indianapolis.

It was only the third win at home for the Colts this season.

“Am I emotional? Damn right I am,” Mora said after wiping tears from his eyes and punching the backdrop behind the podium.

“I apologize. All through the season and at the end of the season, there’s a lot of stuff that goes on that people don’t know about.”

Colt spokesman Craig Kelley said no news conference has been scheduled for today.

Mora wasn’t the only person facing an uncertain future following Sunday’s finale.

Former league and Super Bowl most valuable player Terrell Davis may have played his final game in a Bronco uniform after rushing for 82 yards in 18 carries. Although he ran more like he did in his prime, Davis’ salary-cap number next season may be too expensive for the Broncos (8-8).

“I want to be here,” Davis said. “Whatever I have to do to come to terms for being here, I’ll do.”

The Colts seemed to do everything right Sunday--for the first time all season.

Manning completed 16 of 30 passes for 191 yards, and Rhodes provided the running threat that opened up the passing game, running for more than 100 yards for the fifth time this season.

He finished with 1,104 yards, the first undrafted rookie to rush for more than 1,000.

Indianapolis, next to last in the NFL in defense, limited Denver to 219 yards in total offense, picked off four Brian Griese passes and sacked Griese five times, playing without starting linebacker Rob Morris.

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Paving His Own Rhodes

With a 141-yard performance against Denver, Colt rookie running back Dominic Rhodes became the first undrafted rookie to run for more than 1,000 yards. Taking over for injured starter Edgerrin James in week seven, Rhodes had five 100-yard games and nine touchdowns in 10 starts. Following is a list of the top five undrafted rookie rushers since 1970:

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Running back Team Season Rushing yards Dominic Rhodes Indianapolis 2001 1,104 Fred Lane Carolina 1997 809 Clark Gaines New York Jets 1976 724 Jason Brookins* Baltimore 2001 536 Doug Kotar New York Giants 1974 396

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*--Plays tonight

Roy Jurgens