Kenny Moore II returned two interceptions for touchdowns as the Indianapolis Colts beat the Carolina Panthers 27-13 in a reunion with their former coach Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.
Moore’s TDs went for 49 and 66 yards – one in each half. According to Pro Football Reference, Moore is the ninth player since 2000 with two interception returns for touchdowns in the same game.
Matt Gay kicked two field goals and Gardner Minshew threw for 127 yards and a touchdown for the Colts (4-5), who snapped a three-game losing streak. Carolina coach Frank Reich was fired by the Colts one year ago.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young’s three interceptions were costly. He also was sacked four times, negating a 24 of 39 effort for 173 yards and a touchdown.
The Colts were credited with only 198 yards of total offense to 275 for the Panthers. Both teams had 17 first downs.
The Panthers (1-7) were threatening to make a game of it early in the fourth quarter after a third-quarter touchdown drive of nearly eight minutes that pulled them to within 20-10. They got the ball back and moved into Colts territory before Moore delivered again, this time covering 66 yards on the interception return.
The Colts led 20-3 at halftime after scoring 10 points in the final minute before the break.
It began with Gay’s 57-yard field goal with 53 seconds left on the clock.
Looking to respond, the Panthers reached midfield and called their first time out. On the next snap, Moore picked off Young and raced 49 yards for a touchdown.
Indianapolis held a 171-62 advantage in first-half total offense.
The teams combined for 23 second-quarter points after a scoreless first quarter. Gay’s 26-yard field goal began the scoring to end a 15-play, 75-yard drive that was extended when Carolina was called for being offside on a Colts punt.
Then Minshew connected with Jonathan Taylor for a 10-yard touchdown to push the Indianapolis lead to 10-0.
Eddy Pineiro’s 35-yard field goal got Carolina on the board before Indianapolis’ productive final minute of the half. Pineiro added a 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
–Field Level Media
