With several key starters out, backups propel Colts to 5-0

INDIANAPOLIS – No star running back? No future Hall-of-Fame wide receiver? No Pro Bowl safety? For the Indianapolis Colts, no problem. \nFueled by a 121-yard, two-touchdown performance from backup running back Kenton Keith, the Colts overcame key injury-induced absences and dispelled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 33-14 win Sunday afternoon. \n“I’ve been proud of our team on many, many occasions, but this was one of the best,” Colts coach Tony Dungy said.\nThe Colts were without running back Joseph Addai, wide receiver Marvin Harrison, linebacker Rob Morris and safety Bob Sanders, all injured during the team’s 38-20 win against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 30.\n“We talked last night about really just focusing on who was going to play, not who might not play or who couldn’t,” Dungy said. “Our backup guys stepped up.”\nIn his first-ever NFL start, Keith, a former Canadian Football League player, scored his first-ever NFL touchdown.\n“It’s a lot different from practice,” Keith said of starting. “Everybody’s going full speed. Everybody’s actually trying to blow my head off. ... I didn’t think it was going to turn out the way it did today. I figured I was going to play good, because I wasn’t nervous or anything, but I didn’t expect a hundred and something yards and two touchdowns.” \nAfter the defense limited the Buccaneers to a three-and-out opening drive, a Craphonso Thorpe punt return put Indianapolis in good field position for its first drive. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning connected on three of four pass attempts on the drive, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Clark.\n“Getting that stop, getting a good offensive drive and scoring first was really huge,” Dungy said.\nThe Colts’ offense found the end zone in its first two drives of the game, while the defense forced three-and-outs in each of Tampa Bay’s first three drives.\n“We set a tone,” Colts linebacker Gary Brackett said. “We go out there, we determine what they’re able to do to us.”\nThe defense, without linebackers Morris and Freddy Keiaho, limited the Buccaneers to just 17 yards total rushing and quarterback Jeff Garcia to 143 yards passing.\n“It doesn’t matter if we have three guys hurt, five guys hurt, eight guys hurt – whoever is replacing those guys has to step up and make big plays and that’s what we did,” Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney said. \nSunday’s victory was the 12th consecutive win in the RCA Dome, a franchise record.\nManning finished the day 29-of-37 for 253 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Colts have a bye next week and will travel to Jacksonville on Oct. 22 for a Monday night game.