Recap: Lions hold off Colts’ comeback attempt, win 27-26 in NFL preseason game

Indianapolis — Wide receiver Tom Kennedy was the star of yet another Detroit Lions preseason game.

Kennedy’s two touchdown receptions were a catalyst for Detroit’s 27-26 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts made the game 27-26 with 38 seconds left on a touchdown pass to Samson Nacua but failed to convert the 2-point attempt or onside kick (recovered by Kennedy).

The Lions’ rushing attack averaged 5.5 yards per carry; Justin Jackson led the team’s running backs with 54 yards on seven carries.

It was also a big game for a pair of Detroit’s defensive linemen. John Cominsky came up with six tackles and a sack and Austin Bryant grabbed a third-down sack of his own to lead the defensive standouts for the Lions.

Neither of Detroit’s quarterbacks were able to take a stranglehold on the backup job: Blough was 16-for-22 passing with 76 yards, one touchdown and one interception and Boyle was 12-for-15 passing for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Drive start: IND 28 (3:57 4th)

The Colts pick up a new set of downs to start their drive with a 5-yard completion on third-and-3.

Indy is moving now; Jack Coan completes a 22-yard pass to Jelani Woods for a first down at the Detroit 35.

A 3-yard run on first down brings us to the two-minute warning.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Coan completes an 8-yard pass to keep the drive alive, then finds Samson Nacua in the end zone two plays later to bring the Colts within a point.

The Colts will attempt a two-point conversion.

The Lions get pressure on Coan and force him to send up a prayer to the corner of the end zone, which falls incomplete.

Lions 27, Colts 26 (0:38 4th)

Tom Kennedy recovers the onside kick attempt, and that’ll be the game.

FINAL: Lions 27, Colts 26

Drive start: DET 15 (13:35 4th)

Tim Boyle opens the Lions drive with an 11-yard throw to Trinity Benson. A holding penalty on the next play sets up first-and-20 at the 19. Boyle then escapes the pocket on third-and-6 and scrambles for 9 to keep the drive alive.

Godwin Igwebuike rushes for 9 yards on first down and Boyle is sacked for a loss of 8 on second down before a 12-yard throw on third-and-9 keeps the drive alive.

The Lions pick up another first down with a third-down completion to Trinity Benson, which makes it first-and-10 at the Indy 24.

A 9-yard pass to Derrick Deese Jr. and 2-yard run by Igwebuike makes it first-and-10 at the 13. Two plays later, a third-down conversion gives the Lions a first down at the 2.

Igwebuike finishes off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Lions 27, Colts 20 (4:03 4th)

Drive start: IND 34 (1:15 3rd)

The Lions (Savion Smith) and Colts (Mike Strachan) take offsetting penalties to start Indy’s next drive.

Jack Coan completes a 12-yard pass to DeMichael Harris that brings the third quarter to a close.

END 3RD: Lions 20, Colts 20

After the Colts get to third-and-11, John Cominsky comes up with a third-down sack of Coan.

Lions 20, Colts 20 (13:35 4th)

Drive start: DET 16 (2:35 3rd)

The Lions start their drive with a 9-yard run by Justin Jackson, but he’s dropped for a loss on second down and the third-down throw from Tim Boyle is broken up. The Lions will punt.

Lions 20, Colts 20 (1:16 3rd)

Drive start: IND 23 (4:35 3rd)

Former Wisconsin Badger Jack Coan is in at quarterback for the Colts.

A fumbled snap on second-and-6 puts the Colts at third-and-10. The Lions defense covers well and forces Coan to dump the ball off for little gain. The Colts will punt.

Lioins 20, Colts 20 (2:35 3rd)

Drive start: DET 25 (6:41 3rd)

A sack and loss of 5 on first down puts Tim Boyle and the Lions offense in a hole they can’t recover from. Detroit will punt.

Lions 20, Colts 20 (4:35 3rd)

Drive start: IND 32 (9:26 3rd)

The Lions quickly force third-and-3, but the Colts convert with a 7-yard completion to give themselves a new set of downs at the 46.

One play later, Ehlinger scrambles from a closing pocket and chucks the ball downfield for a wide-open Desmond Patmon, who tumbles into the end zone for a 50-yard score. Tie game once again.

Lions 20, Colts 20 (6:41 3rd)

Drive start: DET 39 (12:59 3rd)

Tim Boyle enters the game at quarterback for the Lions.

Justin Jackson tears around the right-side edge on first down for a 21-yard gain to give Detroit the ball at the Colts 40.

After Trinity Benson picks up a first down with a 7-yard reception, Godwin Igwebuike shakes a defender in the backfield and shoots up the middle for 17 yards.

The Colts force a third-and-7 at the 10, but Boyle fires a touchdown pass to Tom Kennedy, his second of the game.

Lions 20, Colts 13 (9:31 3rd)

Drive start: IND 17 (14:56 3rd)

The Lions force third-and-6 on the Colts’ opening drive of the second half. Austin Bryant tears around the edge and sacks Sam Ehlinger for a loss of 6 to force a punt.

Lions 13, Colts 13 (12:59 3rd)

Drive start: DET 46 (1:47 2nd)

Another great kick return (45 yards) by Maurice Alexander gives Detroit great starting field position again.

David Blough hits Kalil Pimpleton for an 11-yard pass, then hits him again on second-and-7 to make it first-and-10 at the Indianapolis 31.

Tom Kennedy helps Detroit move the chains on third-and-1 with a 4-yard reception.

Timeout #1 Detroit (0:38 2nd)

Kennedy catches another 4-yard pass to make it second-and-6 at the 14.

Timeout #2 Detroit (0:31 2nd)

After a second-down incompletion, Trinity Benson hauls in a 9-yard pass for a first down at the 5-yard-line.

Timeout #3 Detroit (0:20 2nd)

Detroit winds up in third-and-goal at the 5 with 0:03 left in the half, and Blough throws his first touchdown pass of the game to Kennedy in the back left corner of the end zone.

We’re all tied heading into halftime.

Lions 13, Colts 13 (END 2ND)

Drive start: IND 45 (4:56 2nd)

Sam Ehlinger’s first throw of the drive is caught by a sliding Kylen Granson for 19 yards. It’s first-and-10 at the Detroit 36.

On second-and-5, Lions corner Mark Gilbert gets beat by Mike Strachan, who moves Indianapolis inside the 10 with a 25-yard reception.

A first-down holding penalty on the Colts will make it first-and-goal from the 18. A 3-yard run brings us to the two-minute warning.

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

Second-and-goal at the 15 coming up. Gilbert gets beat again by Strachan, who hauls in a 15-yard touchdown reception.

Colts 13, Lions 6 (1:55 2nd)

Drive start: IND 34 (6:19 2nd)

A 61-yard kick return by Maurice Alexander gives the Lions starting field position at the 34.

Two passes to Tom Kennedy net a total of 1 yard and David Blough is sacked on third down.

Austin Seibert’s 55-yard field goal try is off the upright and no good.

Lions 6, Colts 6 (4:56 2nd)

Drive start: DET 40 (8:31 2nd)

David Blough remains at quarterback for the Lions as Detroit takes over with great starting field position.

After two short runs, it’s third-and-3. Blough throws to Tom Kennedy over the middle in double-coverage; his pass is deflected into the air and intercepted by Tony Brown, who returns it to Detroit’s 21.

Lions 6, Colts 3 (7:17 2nd)

The Lions quickly force third-and-10 with a run for no gain and a pass breakup by Chris Board. Sam Ehlinger’s third-down throw to the end zone sails out of bounds.

Jake Verity’s 40-yard field goal is good.

Lions 6, Colts 6 (6:28 2nd)

Drive start: IND 14 (10:32 2nd)

University of Texas product Sam Ehlinger comes in at quarterback for the Colts. He’s chased out of bounds by Eric Banks for a sack on his first snap, and two short gains after that will force a quick punt.

Lions 6, Colts 3 (8:31 2nd)

Drive start: DET 27 (1:28 1st)

Craig Reynolds rips off back-to-back 11-yard runs to start the Lions’ next drive. That’ll bring the first quarter to a close, as Detroit will have it first-and-10 at its own 49 when we return.

END 1ST: Lions 3, Colts 3

The Lions move into Colts territory and face a fourth-and-1; Detroit’s offensive line opens up a big hole and Jermar Jefferson gets 7 yards to set up first-and-10 at the 35.

Now it’s Justin Jackson getting the rock, and he’ll run to the outside for 19 yards. He fumbles on the next play but recovers. It’s second-and-13 at the 20. The Lions can’t recover from the hole and Austin Seibert makes a 40-yard field goal to give the Lions another lead.

Lions 6, Colts 3 (10:36 2nd)

Drive start: IND 28 (7:40 1st)

Indianapolis takes over at the 28. Nick Foles will get first reps at quarterback.

The Lions force a third-and-6 on the opening set of downs, but get burned by consecutive catches from Dezmon Patmon that go for 23 and 20 yards, respectively. First-and-10 at the Detroit 25.

Indianapolis again converts on third down, as Foles completes a 9-yard pass to Alec Pierce on third-and-9 to make it first-and-10 at the 15.

The Lions finally force a third-down incompletion. That’ll bring out Jake Verity for a 26-yard field goal that’s through the uprights. Tie game.

Lions 3, Colts 3 (1:28 1st)

Drive start: DET 30 (15:00 1st)

The Colts have won the toss and elect to defer. The Lions will get the ball first. Maurice Alexander returns the ball 26 yards to Detroit’s 30.

David Blough will get first reps at quarterback for the Lions. Craig Reynolds gets to touches for 9 yards to bring up third-and-1, which the Lions convert with a 5-yard throw to Kalif Raymond.

Blough moves Detroit into Colts territory at the 46 with a 7-yard scramble that moves the chains. Reynolds keeps the drive alive with a 7-yard scramble on third-and-4. It’ll be first-and-10 at the 33.

Jermar Jefferson grabs 9 yards on first down as Blough scrambles to the 13 for an 11-yard pickup on the next play. The Colts’ red-zone defense tightens up, as a throw to Kalif Raymond in double coverage on third-and-7 falls incomplete.

Austin Seibert puts home a 28-yard field goal, and the Lions have a lead.

Lions 3, Colts 0 (7:40 1st)

Pregame

The preseason game — the second dress rehearsal for both teams — kicks off at 1 p.m.

The Lions offensive starters turned in a strong showing in last week’s preseason-opening 27-23 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell said the team will rest most of its starters on both sides of the ball Saturday. That should create opportunities for extended playing time for those fighting for roster spots and roles.