Indianapolis, IN
Broncos penalty gives Colts second chance, win
INDIANAPOLIS — The end of Sunday’s Broncos-Colts game featured the full spectrum of emotions: confusion, heartbreak, reprieve, frustration and, ultimately, elation for the home team.
The Colts snagged a 29-28 victory after kicker Spencer Shrader converted a 45-yard field goal with no time remaining, but only after badly missing a 60-yard attempt that was negated by a Denver personal foul moments earlier.
After coach Shane Steichen confoundingly took a conservative approach to his team’s final possession — the Colts never attempted a pass after crossing midfield, and they let the clock run down while at the Denver 40-yard line — Indianapolis lined up for the long field goal try. It would have easily been the longest of Shrader’s short career, but the second-year player wasn’t close, the kick sailing wide right and coming up well short.
But Broncos outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman was called for a leverage penalty on the play when he appeared to use his left arm to leap over Colts guard Dalton Tucker. The penalty advanced the ball 15 yards and gave the Colts an untimed final play. Shrader regrouped and hit the winner from 45 yards, dealing a gut punch to the Broncos (1-1).
“He was trying to make a play to help this team win a game,” Denver linebacker Nik Bonitto said.
Added Tillman: “I was just going for the ball … just trying to make a play.”
Referee Craig Wrolstad told a pool reporter after the game: “As a defender, you’re not allowed to place your hand on an opponent or a teammate and push off to propel yourself into the air to block a kick. In this case, No. 92 came across the line to the right guard, and he put his hands on the right guard and pushed off him to elevate himself in the air in order to try to block the kick. You’re not allowed to do that.”
For Shrader, it was an emotional final sequence. He said he was confident before the first attempt but explained that he felt pressure from his right side from Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain, which disrupted his follow-through.
“I felt that disappointment right after the kick,” said Shrader, who had never attempted a field goal beyond 50 yards in the NFL. “I kind of got hit after the play, so there was a lot of chaos going on. I saw the flag was thrown and then it was like, ‘Reset your mentality. You’re getting another opportunity. Whatever happened in the past, you’ve just got to flush it.’”
Shrader’s second kick split the uprights with plenty of distance. He was immediately engulfed by his teammates, and the celebration was on.
The Colts, now 2-0 for the first time since 2009, survived after Steichen’s questionable offensive playcalling in the final minutes. They converted a third-and-6 with 1:50 remaining, with quarterback Daniel Jones hitting Alec Pierce for a 7-yard gain to the Denver 43. From there, the Colts ran the ball three times with Jonathan Taylor, including up the middle on third-and-7 from the 40. Taylor, who rushed for 165 yards total, was stuffed on the play, losing 2 yards. That made for an even longer attempt by Shrader.
After a second-down run, Steichen let the clock elapse to 17 seconds before calling a timeout, making it clear the Colts had no intention of trying to achieve a first down.
“We were in field goal range there,” Steichen said. “Felt good about it. And then on that third down, obviously, we went backwards there on that one. But, yeah, that’s football sometimes. Obviously, we got the penalty that helped us out and found a way to win.”
Steichen never elaborated on why he felt comfortable attempting such a long kick. But he did clarify that he decided to let the clock elapse because he was hoping to avoid having to kick off to the Broncos after a potential field goal.
It all made for some uneasy moments, even on the Indianapolis sideline.
“I just thought we would throw it at least one time,” Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox said.
“You don’t want to take a short sack, either. We talk about these situations all the time. But the football gods were with us today.”
ESPN’s Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.
ICYMI: Top 5 IndyStar business stories in May 2026
A busy month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reignited debates about hotels and the downtown heliport. Plus, Eli Lilly celebrated 150 years.
May came and went, and with it, we saw the closest Indianapolis 500 finish in history, the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and a contested primary election day.
There’s also been some movement in retail news ahead of the summer shopping season. On the north side, a new women’s clothing store opened while a piercing studio set up shop in Speedway. Meanwhile, an indoor children’s play place opened on the near north side.
Read on for four spots that recently opened and one in Broad Ripple that said farewell.
Openings
Monkee’s
8659 River Crossing Blvd., monkeesofindianapolis.com, opened in March
Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a high-end women’s clothing store, opened recently on the north side in the Shops at River Crossing near the Fashion Mall. The brand Monkee’s started in the South three decades ago and has since grown to nearly 70 locations. In Indianapolis, Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt started the franchise to bring the clothing brand to the Circle City.
The Nest Play Cafe
515 E 22nd St Suite 101, indynestplaycafe.com, opened early May
The Nest Play Cafe opened at the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Street, offering an indoor space for parents and caregivers to bring their children to play. Caregivers can book 90-minute play sessions for $15 per child over the age of one. Tickets for additional siblings run $10. The cafe sells coffee and snacks, too.
Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Tuesdays.
Forget Me Not Piercing Studio
5324 W. 16th St., jessflowerspiercings.square.site, opened May 27
A new piercing studio opened in Speedway at the end of May just days after the Indianapolis 500. Forget Me Not Piercing offers traditional lobe, helix and conch piercings along with nostril and septum piercings. Artist Jess Flowers opened the one-woman shop on 16th Street.
Open Sunday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Black Orchid Barbers Fountain Square
1201 Prospect St. Suite 100, blackorchidbarbers.com, opened in May
Black Orchid, a local barbershop known for its sharp haircuts with a side of humor, opened its Fountain Square spot, marking the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location. Walk-ins are welcome but Black Orchid recommends grabbing a time slot online for your preferred service.
Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closures
Vitality IV Bar
6302 Guilford Ave., vitalityivbar.com
An IV-wellness spot in Broad Ripple shut its doors last month. Vitality IV Bar was located next to the Thieves cocktail lounge, formerly the Broad Ripple Starbucks location, before it went out of business.
Vitality IV still operates an Indianapolis-area location on Mass Ave downtown at 749 Massachusetts Ave where customers can book a variety of infusions with vitamins.
See a store opening or closing near you? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr
Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy
(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.
Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.
The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.
🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child
Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person
Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.
🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free
Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.
🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person
Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.
🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child
The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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