SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Oct. 8, 2023 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah connection is working well for the Indianapolis Colts.
Former Utes teammates Zack Moss, Julian Blackmon and Matt Gay each came up with clutch plays to help the Colts top the Tennessee Titans 23-16 on Sunday in Indianapolis.
Moss emerged as the game’s biggest star in a matchup that featured Tennessee running back and two-time NFL rushing champion Derrick Henry, as well as the return of Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, the 2021 league rushing champ.
Moss finished with a career-high 165 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, along with two receptions for 30 yards — including a 26-yard catch.
Moss was drafted in the third round (86th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in 2020 and traded to the Colts in November 2022. He remained Indianapolis’ featured back in Week 5 despite the return of Taylor, who gained 16 yards on six carries and another 16 yards on his lone reception.
“I think it can get really scary,” Taylor said of the backfield tandem. “You guys have been getting a taste these past few weeks with Zack. So now it’s on me in order to do my part and continue to help this team, and that’s what I’m going to do every single day.”
Colts head coach Shane Steichen said he expects both backs to play significant roles in the coming weeks.
“It’s obviously a great one-two punch with both those guys,” Steichen said. “Zack’s seeing it well, getting JT back in the fold [with] his big-play ability. To have those guys back in the backfield is going to be huge going forward.”
Blackmon ultimately clinched the victory for the Colts with a fourth-quarter interception. The former Utah and Layton High School star added five tackles (four solo) and a pass defended as Indianapolis improved to 3-2.
Gay turned in another perfect game and scored 11 points for the Colts, connecting on all three of his field goal attempts (43, 35 and 28 yards) and hitting both PATs. He’s 9 for 10 on field goals and 11 for 11 on PATs through the first five games of the season.
Here’s a look at how pro Utes fared in Week 5:
Cody Barton, LB, Washington Commanders
The former Utah and Brighton High School star led the Commanders with eight tackles (five solo) in a 40-20 loss to the Bears on Thursday night.
Julian Blackmon, S, Indianapolis Colts
Read about the former Utah and Layton star’s game-clinching play in the story above.
Garett Bolles, OL, Denver Broncos
The Utah and Westlake High School alumnus started at left tackle in the Broncos’ 31-21 loss to the Jets.
Britain Covey, WR/RS, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Utah and Timpview High School star returned two punts a total of 35 yards (17.5 yards per return) in the Eagles’ 23-14 victory over the Rams.
Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns had a bye in Week 5.
Leki Fotu, DT, Arizona Cardinals
The former Utah and Herriman High School star made three tackles (two solo) in the Cardinals’ 34-20 loss to the Bengals.
Matt Gay, K, Indianapolis Colts
Read about the former Utah and Orem star’s performance in the story above.
Tyler Huntley, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Huntley was active for the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Steelers.
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
Johnson was inactive with a hamstring injury for the Bears’ road victory over the Commanders.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills
The rookie tight end had two catches for 19 yards in the Bills’ 25-20 loss to the Jaguars in London.
Devin Lloyd, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lloyd was inactive in Week 5 with a thumb injury.
Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts
Read about the running back’s big day in the story above.
Clark Phillips III, CB, Atlanta Falcons
Phillips was active for the Falcons’ 21-19 victory over the Texans.
Nephi Sewell, LB, New Orleans Saints
The former Utah and Desert Hills High School star made one solo tackle in the Saints’ 34-0 victory over the Patriots.
Marcus Williams, S, Baltimore Ravens
Williams made five tackles (three solo) in the Ravens’ 17-10 loss to the Steelers.
Mitch Wishnowsky, P, San Francisco 49ers
Wishnowsky punted four times for 187 yards (46.8 yards per punt) — including a 59-yard punt — and landed two inside the 20-yard line in the 49ers’ 42-10 victory over the Cowboys on Sunday night.
Injured reserve
- Bradlee Anae, DL, N.Y. Jets
- Braeden Daniels, OL, Washington Commanders
- Javelin Guidry, CB, New York Jets
- Tim Patrick, WR, Denver Broncos
Practice squads
- Jackson Barton, OL, Arizona Cardinals
- Terrell Burgess, S, Washington Commanders
- Cole Fotheringham, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Positions: Center (C), cornerback (CB), defensive lineman (DL), kicker (K), linebacker (LB), long snapper (LS), offensive lineman (OL), punter (P), quarterback (QB), running back (RB), return specialist (RS), safety (S), tight end (TE), wide receiver (WR).
