Indianapolis, IN

Despite opening day loss, Colts defense takes big step forward in 2nd season with Gus Bradley

Published

2 years ago

September 11, 2023

Despite opening day loss, Colts defense takes big step forward in 2nd season with Gus Bradley

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard looked like his old self Sunday. He had eight tackles, one for loss in the Indianapolis Colts opener, after missing most of last season with injuries.

Linebacker Zaire Franklin already is on pace to break the franchise’s single-season mark for tackles (167) again after getting a career-best 18 in the season opener.

And two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner opened his eighth NFL season with seven tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and a 26-yard fumble return for the second score of his career.

Sure, the Colts fell short again in Week 1, losing 31-21 to defending AFC South champion Jacksonville, but if the defense keeps playing like this, it will be a vast improvement.

“This was big, just to go back out there and have some contact, playing against some great skilled guys. It was definitely a big moment for me,” Leonard said after missing most of last season with injuries. “We talk about takeaways and scoring on defense, so we finally got it done in the first game of the season and hopefully we can build off of it.”

There was plenty to like on film.

Indy’s two biggest defensive questions heading into the season were whether it could create consistent pressure on quarterbacks and how its mostly young secondary would hold up.

By Monday, the Colts at least had some notion about which direction Gus Bradley’s second season as defensive coordinator was heading — even if they didn’t get all the answers.

While Trevor Lawrence was sacked twice, he was under duress. He finished 24 of 32 with 243 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and lost the ball on the Buckner strip-sack and unusual TD. Indy also found a way to limit Calvin Ridley to only one second-half reception after catching seven passes for 92 yards and one TD in the first half. And the Colts gave up just 3.0 yards per carry.

It’s a promising combination of what could be for a team trying to turn the page on a miserable and chaotic 4-12-1 campaign.

“I thought our defense played solid,” new coach Shane Steichen said. “They took the ball away. They played hard. Shoot, they put us in position. We’ve got to be better — I’ve got to be better offensively.”

WHAT’S WORKING

Anthony Richardson. The 21-year-old rookie played with poise and confidence, making only one major mistake — an errant pass the Jags intercepted and converted into the game-sealing TD.

Otherwise, Richardson looked calm, confident and in control during his NFL debut. His passer rating of 79,0 was the best of the three first-round picks who made their starting debuts in Week 1.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

Ground game. Without Indy’s top two running backs, 2021 NFL rushing champ Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Zack Moss (broken right arm), it was going to be a struggle. Losing rookie Evan Hull (knee) in the third quarter didn’t help. Richardson led the Colts with 10 carries for 40 yards and one TD. Indy’s other three rushers had 16 carries for 25 yards. Steichen told reporters Monday that Taylor did not attend Sunday’s game.

STOCK UP

WR Josh Downs. Richardson’s training camp roommate also played well in his NFL debut. Though he had three receptions for 30 yards, he was targeted seven times, second only to veteran Michael Pittman Jr. Downs also showed the shiftiness and speed that prompted general manager Chris Ballard to draft the smallish receiver in the third round.

STOCK DOWN

RB Deon Jackson. After making the team as an undrafted rookie in 2021, the Colts had been encouraged by his development. But he struggled mightily as the workhorse back Sunday. He carried 13 times for 14 yards and caught five passes for 14 yards. That’s 18 touches for 28 yards. Even worse, Jacksonville recovered both of his fumbles.

INJURIES

The biggest postgame concern might have been Richardson’s departure in the final minute with a sore left knee. But Richardson brushed it off as a bruise after the game, and Steichen said Monday it was not a concern. Less clear is the timetable for TE Andrew Ogletree (concussion protocol) or Hull. All-Pro LG Quenton Nelson also hurt his toe, an injury that could linger.

KEY NUMBERS

17.6, 10 — Indy was 2 of 12 on third down and 1 of 5 on fourth down, giving them a combined conversion rate of 17.6%, which played a big role in Indy extending its opening day winless streak to 10 (nine losses, one tie).

NEXT STEPS

Next week’s matchup between Richardson and rookie QB Bryce Young of Houston could be the first of many between these two. Richardson may have the stronger supporting cast, especially if Moss is cleared after returning to practice last week. His presence could give the offense more balance.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Indianapolis, IN

US police chaplains go through use-of-force training in Indianapolis

Published

3 hours ago

March 25, 2025

Press Room

US police chaplains go through use-of-force training in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on Monday hosted 30 police chaplains from seven states to help them better understand police decisions around the use of force.

The chaplains are part of the International Conference of Police Chaplains, and the training aims to provide them with insights into the challenges officers face, which they can take back to their communities.

Sgt. Michael Daley, an IMPD use-of-force instructor, said Monday, “It’s difficult sometimes as an outsider to understand what the individual worker has to go through, and so it’s important for us to know, or to communicate to the chaplains, to tell them the story of what officers face on a daily basis.”

“People come in here with preconceived notions of what the officer is supposed to do and how the officer is supposed to handle those situations, and then, once they see the reality through these simulations of what’s actually involved in human behavior, perspectives change.”

Christopher Holland, a chaplain from the Bargersville Police Department, said, “Actual scenarios that are taking place are kind of true to life, so your blood pressure goes up. Your heart rate goes up. You’re dealing with issues very similar to what you would deal with in the community.”

“It gives me great empathy and it also gives me great understanding about what our officers go through every day, and how they place themselves in the line of danger in very intense situations and they make split-second decisions about it.”

Organizers hope after chaplains return to their communities with a better understanding of police challenges that they will help to improve community relations with police.

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Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. names Tijideen Rowley as interim artistic director

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15 hours ago

March 24, 2025

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Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. names Tijideen Rowley as interim artistic director

Two weeks after Founding Artistic Director Ben Rose resigned his post amid charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident, the Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. has named Tijideen Rowley as interim artistic director, according to the theater.

Rowley is the director of training and development for the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant that provides professional theater training at The District Theatre, where IBTC is a resident. The educational hub funded by the grant also offers a platform for developing plays related to Indiana Avenue’s history. Rowley holds a theater degree from Indiana University and an MBA from Boise State University.

Rose resigned March 10 after he was charged with felony strangulation, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury on March 5 by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office after a late February incident in which he allegedly attacked a woman at his home.

An initial hearing for the case is scheduled for April 9.

Rose was selected in 2023 as the first artistic director of the new IBTC, a theater that launched with a $1.9 million investment from groups including the Central Indiana Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment.

Rowley will begin his leadership tenure at the company by reviewing and restructuring the 2025 season with community input, according to the release. After Rose resigned, IBTC postponed the production of “Ain’t No Mo’,” which will now run from June 27 to July 13. Rowley also will focus on longterm growth and artist and community relationships, the theater said in a Sunday night news release.

“IBTC is focused on telling Black stories that challenge, inspire, and unite audiences. As we move forward, my focus is on strengthening our foundations and deepening our connection to the community,” Rowley stated in the release. “My vision, in line with the board, is to elevate IBTC into a marquee theatre company for Black storytelling—one that sets the standard in Indianapolis and beyond.”

IBTC also announced board changes in another release sent Sunday night. Board members Rich Trotman and Ira Mallory have resigned. New appointments include the Rev. Dr. Shonda Nicole Gladden, the District Theatre board’s vice chair and CEO of Good to the Soul, LLC, and Karen Dace, vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at IU Indianapolis.

Senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo contributed to this report.

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Sign up here for the newsletter she curates about things to do and ways to explore Indianapolis. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

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Indianapolis, IN

NCAA Tournament 2025 regional tickets, hotels, Airbnb in Indianapolis

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2025

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NCAA Tournament 2025 regional tickets, hotels, Airbnb in Indianapolis

Indianapolis will host an NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday and Sunday, March 28 and 30, 2025. Houston, Purdue, Tennessee and Illinois/Kentucky made the Sweet 16. The last team standing earns a spot in the Final Four, April 5 and 7 in San Antonio.

Here’s how you can secure a ticket and lodging in Indianapolis for the NCAA Tournament regional.

When are the NCAA Tournament games in Indianapolis? When are the NCAA Tournament games at Lucas Oil Stadium?

Tennessee vs. Kentucky, 7:39 p.m. ET Friday, March 28
Houston vs. Purdue, 10:09 p.m. ET Friday, March 28
Regional championship game is Sunday, March 30, time TBA

NCAA Tournament tickets at Lucas Oil Stadium

Buy Sweet 16, Elite 8 tickets

All sessions: Start at $443 on StubHub

Friday, March 28: Starting at $194 on StubHub

Sunday, March 30: Starting at $127 on StubHub

Buy Purdue NCAA Tournament tickets

Lodging for the NCAA Tournament regional in Indianapolis

Rooms start at $95 a night on Expedia

Airbnb for March Madness regional in Indianapolis

Rooms start at $40 on Airbnb

How likely is Houston to win March Madness?

The Houston Cougars (32-4) are the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Regional and have won 15 consecutive games. They own the nation’s best defense, allowing 58.4 points per game and 38.4% shooting. Houston is the nation’s best 3-point shooting team (39.8%), though it doesn’t shoot many, and it protects the ball (9.2 turnovers, 6th fewest). The Cougars were national runners-up in 1983 and ’84 have been to the Final Four seven times, most recently in 2022.

Houston basketball key players

Houston basketball coach

Kelvin Sampson is in his 11th season at Houston and owns a 296-83 record. He previously coached at Washington State, Oklahoma and Indiana.

Houston NCAA Tournament schedule

First round: Houston 78, SIU-Edwardsville 40

Second round: Houston 81, Gonzaga 76

Has Purdue basketball ever made the Final Four?

The Purdue Boilermakers reached last season’s national championship game, losing to UConn. They were the national runner-up in 1969 and made the 1980 Final Four at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. The No. 4 Midwest Regional seed lost six of its last nine games leading into the NCAA Tournament but won its March Madness games handily.

Purdue basketball key players

Purdue basketball coach

Matt Painter is in his 20th season at Purdue and owns a 471-214 record. He previously coached at Southern Illinois.

Purdue NCAA Tournament schedule

First round: Purdue 75, High Point 53

Second round: Purdue 76, McNeese 62

Has Tennessee ever made it to the Final Four?

The Tennessee Volunteers (29-7) seek their first Final Four trip. Purdue defeated Tennessee in a 2024 regional championship game. The Volunteers finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference, which sent a record 14 teams to March Madness. They have a stingy defense, allowing 62.9 points per game (No. 6 in the nation) and 38.2% shooting (No. 1) and 28.3% 3-point shooting (No. 3). They lost twice to Kentucky this season.

Tennessee men’s basketball NCAA Tournament schedule

First round: Tennessee 77, Wofford 62

Second round: Tennessee 67, UCLA 58

Tennessee basketball coach

Rick Barnes is in his 10th season at Tennessee, and owns a 231-108 record. He previously coached at George Mason, Providence, Clemson and Texas.

Tennessee basketball key players

Why is Kentucky basketball so popular?

The Kentucky Wildcats (24-11) are a true college basketball blue blood, with eight NCAA Tournament championships, second to UCLA. UK last won the title in 2012. This season’s Wildcats average 85.0 points per game (No. 4 in the nation) and have six players averaging in double figures. Their depth shows in their 45-point average in second halves (also No. 4). They have beaten Tennessee twice this season.