Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Colts Insider: 9 things to watch in Anthony Richardson’s return against Rams
![Indianapolis Colts Insider: 9 things to watch in Anthony Richardson’s return against Rams Indianapolis Colts Insider: 9 things to watch in Anthony Richardson’s return against Rams](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/09/19/PIND/9feeda5f-ea43-4626-8525-411d3bf76756-091921_ColtsRams_JRW_0019.jpg?auto=webp&crop=4038,2272,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
INDIANAPOLIS — A Colts team that spent the past two weeks on the road surprising everybody gets to return to Lucas Oil Stadium this week with its starting quarterback in the lineup.
Rookie Anthony Richardson is out of the NFL’s concussion protocol, ready to take on the Los Angeles Rams at 1 p.m. Sunday in a game televised by WXIN-59 (FOX).
Indianapolis (2-1) gets the Rams (1-2) to start a streak of four home games in the month of October, a stretch that suddenly looks much more intriguing after the way the Colts have started the season, although injuries are piling up in the wrong spot.
2-1 Colts ‘doing some good things’ says RB Zack Moss
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss discusses the team’s offense having success on the field.
Who is hurt on the Colts’ offensive line?
1. Richardson returns to the lineup behind a banged-up Colts offensive line that suddenly looks shaky after a strong start to the season. Left tackle Bernhard Raimann, who has been a revelation in his second NFL season, was placed in the concussion protocol during the week, and veteran center Ryan Kelly is expected to miss his second consecutive game due to a concussion. In addition, right tackle Braden Smith (wrist) and left guard Quenton Nelson (toe) are both battling injuries. The good news for the Colts? Richardson is much more elusive than Gardner Minshew, who was sacked five times against Baltimore, and the Rams defense has just five sacks through the first three games.
2. The bad news for the Colts is that the best two pass rushers on the other side will likely be working against reserves. The Los Angeles defense is still led by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, and the Rams will likely try to get him matched up against Wesley French, who played well in his first NFL start last week but hasn’t faced a player like Donald. The team’s plans at left tackle remain murky — Indianapolis could use either fourth-round rookie Blake Freeland or swingman Arlington Hambright — but whoever mans that position will likely be matched up against emerging Los Angeles pass rusher Byron Young, who has two sacks and is tied for fourth in the NFL with seven quarterback hits.
3. The young Rams defense hasn’t made many big plays so far; Los Angeles has forced just one turnover in addition to its five sacks this season, numbers that rank in the bottom eight of both categories. On the other hand, Los Angeles hasn’t given up a whole lot of yards. The Rams rank eighth in the NFL in yards allowed (284.7 per game), 13th in rushing yards allowed (103.7) and seventh in passing yards allowed (181.0). If the Los Angeles defense has a weakness, it’s a rush defense that has given up 4.51 yards per carry (24th in the NFL), including a big day to Christian McCaffrey, and hasn’t faced a running quarterback yet. Indianapolis may be able to churn out yards with its one-two punch of Richardson and Zack Moss.
Can Anthony Richardson stay healthy?
4. When Richardson’s on the move, he has to do a better job of identifying threats and avoiding the big hit. The rookie has taken two big hits in his two NFL starts, both of the hits knocking him from the game, but the Colts can’t take the lethal threat of Richardson’s legs away after his two electric touchdowns against the Texans two weeks ago. Richardson simply has to be better aware of the contact that’s coming.
5. An Indianapolis passing game that is averaging a paltry 5.8 yards per attempt — Richardson is averaging 5.9, Minshew 5.8 — might not have a lot of chances for explosive plays against the Rams. Los Angeles has allowed just five passing plays of 20 yards or more this season, and the Colts have produced seven (22nd in the league). Even if Indianapolis wants to get deep threat Alec Pierce more involved, it might be tough against the zone coverages the Rams prefer to use.
6. If the Rams continue to play back, the volume might continue for Michael Pittman Jr., who is the only receiver in the NFL with at least eight catches in every game so far, and slot receiver Josh Downs. Pittman has 25 catches for 230 yards this season, and Downs is second with 15 catches for 124 yards. Pittman, in particular, could have a big day after Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase had 12 catches against the Rams on Monday night.
The Colts could face their fourth backup left tackle in four games
7. Indianapolis defensive end Samson Ebukam could be facing his fourth consecutive backup at the left tackle position. Los Angeles left tackle Alaric Jackson is expected to be a game-time decision due to a hamstring injury, six days after Cincinnati edge rusher Trey Hendrickson picked up two big sacks against backup Rams tackle Joseph Noteboom. Ebukam has two sacks, three quarterback hits and a fumble forced this season, and he’ll be a key for the Colts defense.
8. The Indianapolis pass rush has been devastating so far, piling up 12 sacks through three games, tied for the second-best mark in the NFL despite facing a pair of quick-throwing offenses in Jacksonville and Baltimore. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is averaging 2.68 seconds from time to throw this season, and it’s likely the Colts will try to make Stafford hold the ball long enough for DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye and the rest of the Indianapolis pass rush to get home.
9. Rams rookie Puka Nacua (30 catches, 338 yards) and third-year receiver Tutu Atwell (17 catches, 246 yards) have been highly productive in Cooper Kupp’s absence to start the season, and they have a favorable matchup against Colts cornerbacks JuJu Brents and Dallis Flowers, who are still young. Indianapolis has given up 6.8 yards per dropback so far this season, a number that ranks 22nd in the NFL, and the Rams passing game has been a top-10 attack both in terms of yards (284 per game, 4th in the league) and yards per dropback (6.76, 9th).
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Indianapolis, IN
BLQ+ Pride Fest: A celebration of Indy's Black LGBTQ+ community
![BLQ+ Pride Fest: A celebration of Indy's Black LGBTQ+ community BLQ+ Pride Fest: A celebration of Indy's Black LGBTQ+ community](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ed7af7f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/774x406+0+13/resize/1200x630!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fewscripps-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fde%2F03%2F97646b2c496f9e2e7b18158ac063%2Fscreenshot-2024-08-03-204819.png)
INDIANAPOLIS — A celebration of Black LGBTQ+ pride was on full display on Monument Circle Saturday.
The BLQ+ Pride fest brought out hundreds of people as an opportunity to celebrate people of color who identify as LGBTQ+.
The celebration had vendors, queer health support organizations and entertainment.
WRTV
According to the Human Rights campaign, over 80 percent of black LGBTQ+ youth say they have experienced homophobia or transphobia in the black community.
Organizers hope the event serves as a reminder to queer people of color that they have a community in the city of Indianapolis.
WRTV
“Black pride is important because black LGBTQ people need safe spaces to feel loved and celebrated in the State of Indiana,” President of Indiana Pride of Color Belinda Drake said.
The Human Rights campaign also says that racism is an issue in the LGBTQ+ community.
Nearly 75 percent of black queer youth say they have experienced racism in the queer community.
Indiana Pride of Color is working to improve the quality of life for Indiana LGBTQ+ BIPOC communities.
Learn more about the Indiana Pride of Color organization, here.
WATCH | Organizations work to ‘break the stigma’ amid Mental Health Awareness Month
Breaking the stigma of mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month
Indianapolis, IN
BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest returns
![BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest returns BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest returns](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/04/BLQ-PRIDE-PKG_frame_1340-e1722731802662.jpg)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — After a five-year hiatus, the BLQ+ Pride Summer Fest event was held on Monument Circle on Saturday.
The event featured several shopping, entertainment, and eating opportunities.
“They are doing testing, we have food vendors, we have alcohol for the adults, we have folks who are selling merchandise,” said Belinda Drake, president of Indiana Pride of Color. “We have the ice cone shop for the kiddos, too.”
The day is created to honor and celebrate Black, Queer joy in the city and state overall.
One of the vendors who came out to sell items and celebrate alongside the community is Nakeya Harris, the owner of Meraki Mobile Boutique. Her shop carries women’s clothing items, with a specific focus on statement items with bright colors. She also carries jewelry and additional staples.
“I enjoy people expressing themselves and being free, so I wanted to be a part of that,” Harris said.
Local LifeJourney Church was also in attendance at the event. They aim to extend a safe space for worship to anyone interested.
“Today we are trying to reach out to communities of color and just say we have a welcoming space where people can come and be themselves
Though it is the first event of its kind since 2019, the Summer Fest is set to return to Monument Circle next year, and for many years to come.
Indianapolis, IN
Todd’s Take: Home Cooking? Indiana Needs To Clean Its Big Ten Tournament Plate In Indy
![Todd’s Take: Home Cooking? Indiana Needs To Clean Its Big Ten Tournament Plate In Indy Todd’s Take: Home Cooking? Indiana Needs To Clean Its Big Ten Tournament Plate In Indy](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3164,h_1779,x_0,y_62/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/hoosiers_now/01j4cvz78d0fwf4eb2b2.jpg)
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – On Wednesday, white smoke finally hovered over Big Ten headquarters in Rosemont, Ill., as the conference revealed its future plans for the Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.
If you’re a Big Ten-mad basketball fan who resides in Indiana, you’re happy. Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will host both the men’s and women’s tournaments twice each between 2025 and 2028. The Fieldhouse will host both tournaments in 2025.
Spanning all 3 time zones across the Big Ten!
Here are the hosts for the 2025-2028 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments: https://t.co/lDiAEA5oVI#B1GMBBT l #B1GWBBT pic.twitter.com/clkRFmWP7O
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) July 31, 2024
In theory, you’d think having the Big Ten Tournament right in the heart of Hoosier country would create a home-court advantage for the cream-and-crimson. You’d think that Fieldhouse moments would be part of the collective memories of candy-striped fans statewide.
But let’s partake in a short exercise. What is Indiana’s greatest Big Ten Tournament moment in the Circle City in men’s basketball? I’ll give you a moment to think about it.
That’s right, dig deep. Keep mining the recesses of your mind. Why do I hear crickets?
As I clear the cobwebs in my own head, in terms of good things that happened to Indiana in the Big Ten Tournament in Indy, I can only think of the 2022 run when the Hoosiers saved their NCAA Tournament bacon with a 2-1 performance.
Included were two of the three games Indiana has won by five points or less in Big Ten Tournament games played in Indianapolis – a five-point victory over Michigan and a two-point thriller against top-seeded Illinois. (The other was a 2006 five-point victory over Wisconsin.)
Past that? The cupboard is bare. There are infamous moments that jump to mind, such as former Hoosier Luke Recker’s heart-shattering buzzer-beater for Iowa in a 2002 semifinal in the first Big Ten Tournament played in Indy. Soon-to-be-outgoing coach Archie Miller was lustily booed in the tournament’s lone appearance at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2021.
There is infamy that had nothing to do with Indiana, such as the bizarre 2020 Big Ten Tournament game against Nebraska, where it seemed the entire nation seemingly coalesced during that game to the grim reality that COVID-19 was about to alter all of our lives.
Only in Indiana’s checkered Big Ten Tournament history could the Hoosiers win and not advance.
Past that, Indiana has largely entered and exited anonymously in the Circle City. The Hoosiers’ all-time Big Ten Tournament record in Indy is 7-11. Indiana has beaten a grand total of one ranked foe (No. 16 Illinois, 2022) among those seven victories.
The Hoosiers have had six one-and-done appearances at the Fieldhouse. Even if you exclude the 2008-10 post-probation period when the Hoosiers were mired in losing, that still leaves three other instances where cream-and-crimson tails were firmly planted between legs in front of the home folks.
The women don’t escape scrutiny, either. Indiana’s women have been better than the men – Heather Cassady and Jill Chapman led the Hoosiers to their lone Big Ten Tournament championship at the Fieldhouse in 2002. Teri Moren coached the 2022 team to the championship game at the Fieldhouse. But apart from that? Not much considering the women’s tournament has been played in Indianapolis far more often than the men’s tournament.
Indiana’s women are 19-24 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis and have 12 one-and-done appearances.
None of this is for lack of enthusiasm at the gate. Every Indiana Big Ten Tournament game I’ve been to in Indianapolis has been a Hoosier Nation takeover. Indiana fans always show up, it’s what they do, but in Indy, it’s almost never reciprocated with on-court success.
So why does Indiana struggle in the Big Ten Tournament in Indy? Part of it is Indiana’s uneven seasons in general since the tournaments began in 1995 (women) and 1998 (men), but even good Hoosiers teams have stumbled in Indy.
The 2016 Big Ten regular season men’s champions are one example as they went one-and-out. Indiana’s 2021 Elite Eight women’s team didn’t win in Indy, either.
Where the men are concerned, perhaps part of it is historical indifference. Bob Knight was famously opposed to the tournament’s very existence and that attitude has possibly settled in among fans who recall his stance.
Truth be told, I don’t think I’ve heard many (any?) Indiana fans put an emphasis on the Big Ten Tournament, apart from seasons where the Hoosiers had to win to get a NCAA Tournament berth. The vibe is that this is a program that has bigger fish to fry, in particular, the elusive sixth banner.
Well, sometimes reality slaps you in the face with the truth that you have to walk before you can run. Indiana’s .395 winning percentage in the Big Ten Tournament is only ahead of Northwestern’s among schools that have been in the conference since the inception of the tournament. Let that wash over you.
That dubious distinction alone should spur Indiana fans into giving this tournament a bit more emotional emphasis, but there’s something to be said for the enthusiasm a tournament run generates, too.
I was there for the Purdue men’s win in 2023 in Chicago as well as the Iowa women’s and Illinois men’s wins in 2024 in Minneapolis. The Big Ten Tournament championship didn’t define any of their seasons, but it undoubtedly added some spice.
For the 2024-2025 season, Indiana’s men’s and women’s teams will both be capable of making noise at the Fieldhouse. The in-arena support will be there. Home cooking for the Hoosiers will be served up piping hot.
It’s long past time for the Hoosiers to clean their Big Ten Tournament plate in their home state.
-
Mississippi5 days ago
MSU, Mississippi Academy of Sciences host summer symposium, USDA’s Tucker honored with Presidential Award
-
Politics1 week ago
Republicans say Schumer must act on voter proof of citizenship bill if Democrat 'really cares about democracy'
-
World6 days ago
More right wing with fewer women – a new Parliament compendium
-
News1 week ago
Video: Kamala Harris May Bring Out Trump’s Harshest Instincts
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump announces to crowd he 'just took off the last bandage' at faith event after assassination attempt
-
World1 week ago
Israel says Hezbollah crossed ‘red line’, strikes deep inside Lebanon
-
Politics1 week ago
Harris failed to combat ‘root causes’ of illegal immigration, former Border Patrol union chief says
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Deadpool & Wolverine Movie Review: Ryan Reynolds brings the house down in this bloody spectacle