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Austin-led Rams snap skid, rout Colts

Nov 10, 2013 - 11:15 PM Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Tavon Austin scored three touchdowns on eight touches as the St. Louis Rams dominated the Indianapolis Colts, 38-8.

Austin, who came into Sunday's game with just two touchdowns, returned a punt 98 yards for a score and caught TD passes of 57 and 81 yards. The rookie wide receiver became the third player in NFL history with three touchdowns of 55 yards or longer in a single game, joining Cliff Battles and Chris Johnson.

"I knew the day was going to come," Austin said. "It was just me being patient and me being true to myself and to keep working. I'm just glad that I had an opportunity."

Kellen Clemens completed 9-of-16 passes for 247 yards for the Rams (4-6), who snapped a three-game skid. Zac Stacy carried the ball 26 times for 62 yards and a score.

Andrew Luck connected on 29-of-47 passes for 353 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for the Colts (6-3), who maintained a two-game lead over Tennessee for first place in the AFC South. The Titans lost to the Jaguars on Sunday.

Donald Brown caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown for Indianapolis, which plays at Tennessee on Thursday.

"The short weeks are always interesting," Luck said. "I think I learned that last year. We need to get back on the field and right our wrongs. Absolve our sins, if you will."

The Colts suffered their biggest home defeat since losing 31-0 to Chargers in 1993.

A nice play on defense got the Rams going. On the sixth play of the game, Robert Quinn sacked Luck and forced a fumble. Chris Long picked up the loose ball and raced 45 yards the other way for a touchdown.

Austin's 18-yard punt return gave St. Louis the ball at the Indianapolis 43- yard line with 59 seconds left in the first quarter. On the first play of the second stanza, Chris Givens caught a 35-yard pass. Zac Stacy then rumbled into the end zone from one yard out.

The Colts moved the ball to their own 47-yard line before punting. Austin returned the punt 98 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown.

Austin came up with another big play on the next St. Louis possession. On 3rd- and-7, Austin caught a 57-yard TD pass.

Just three plays into the second half, Austin scored another touchdown. This time around, Austin recorded an 81-yard score on a catch-and-run.

Luck was picked off on each of Indianapolis' first two possessions of the second half.

Greg Zuerlein made a 32-yard field goal with 5:15 left in the third period to make it a 38-0 game.

Brown caught a 13-yard TD pass from Luck on the ensuing Indianapolis possession. The two-point conversion was successful.

The Colts almost scored another touchdown early in the fourth quarter. David Reed caught a pass along the left sideline and ran into the end zone for a 4-yard score. Upon further review, it was determined that Reed stepped out at the 2-yard line. Luck was sacked on the next play and the Rams came up with a goal-line stand.

Game Notes

Despite the loss, the Colts lead the all-time series by a 23-18-2 margin ... Indianapolis turned the ball over five times ... The Colts had just 18 yards on the ground ... Matt Hasselbeck completed 2-of-5 passes for 68 yards and an interception for Indianapolis.