INDIANAPOLIS — Godwin Igwebuike's 2-yard scoring run gave the Detroit Lions a late lead and the defense stopped a 2-point conversion attempt in the final minute Saturday to hold on for a 27-26 victory in a preseason game at Indianapolis.
Igwebuike's tiebreaking score came with 4:03 to play. He had seven carries for 32 yards as the Lions earned their first preseason win.
But most of the attention was focused on quarterbacks David Blough and Tim Boyle.
Lions coach Dan Campbell and Colts coach Frank Reich did not play most of their starters following two joint practices between the teams earlier this week.
Blough got the starting nod one week after his late turnover cost the Lions a win and rebounded nicely. He threw a 5-yard TD pass to tie the score at 13 as time expired in the first half and finished 16 of 22 with 76 yards and one interception while rushing three times for 18 yards.
Boyle took over in the second half and threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Tom Kennedy on Detroit's first series to make it 20-13.
But Sam Ehlinger connected with a wide-open Dezmon Patmon, who rolled over and stretched the ball across the goal line for a 50-yard score to make it 20-20.
Rookie Jack Coan gave the Colts a chance to win it in the waning minutes when he connected with Samson Nacua on a 26-yard score with 38 seconds left but Coan's 2-point conversion fell incomplete in the end zone.
GALLERY: Lions defeat Colts in preseason, 27-26
STAT PACK
Lions: Boyle was 12 of 15 with 99 yards and one TD. Tom Kennedy had five receptions for 24 yards and two scores. Craig Reynolds started at running back and had seven carries for 37 yards including back-to-back 11-yard runs in the first half. Maurice Alexander had successive kickoff returns of 61 and 45 yards.
Colts: Nick Foles started in place of Matt Ryan and was 5 of 6 with 56 yards in one quarter. Patmon had five receptions for 103 yards. Michael Strachan had three catches, 45 yards and one TD in his first preseason action. Indy allowed 99 of the Lions' 174 yards rushing in the first half and ran 18 times for 30 yards.
INJURY REPORT
Lions: Devin Funchess did not play after suffering a stinger in his right shoulder during practice this week and defensive lineman Eric Banks limped off the field with what appeared to be a right leg injury.
Colts: Linebacker Brandon King left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury and did not return. Defensive end Kameron Cline left late with a concussion.
UP NEXT
Lions: Close out the preseason Aug. 28 at Pittsburgh.
Colts: Host Tampa Bay in next Saturday's preseason finale.
