Colts fans excited after preseason win - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Colts opened the preseason with a big win against the St. Louis Rams Sunday. New quarterback Andrew Luck played well and fan enthusiasm is building for the regular season.

It is only one game, but it is the first game of the post Peyton Manning era and you would be hard-pressed to find anyway that it could have gone better.

The game was a coming out party. Everyone thought it was for quarterback Andrew Luck and the new Indianapolis Colts. For the most part it was, but even much-maligned defensive lineman Jerry Hughes got into the act.

All that positive energy prompted Ron Courts to make the drive from Kokomo Monday, looking for tickets.

"I'm not used to seeing the Colts win a preseason game, so it's been a long time coming," he said. "I am buying a ticket. I might go to the Miami game."

"There is nothing like being in that stadium and, really, that is the key. That is what we are talking about, right?" said Larry Hall.

From the Colts' perspective, things could not have gone better Sunday. The push is on to sell out Lucas Oil Stadium, even pairing up popular regular season games like Green Bay with preseason sleepers like Cincinnati.

"Great. It was magnificent. We really, really enjoyed ourselves," said season ticket holder Barb Jackson. "I am confident in them now. Not just after one game, but yesterday was the real test and we were impressive. I'm looking forward to the next game."

Even going through the Colts store at the stadium, you can still pick up some Peyton items, but many fans say it's time to move on.

"It was fun while it lasted. Looking forward to the new stuff. I'm sure they'll be selling quite a few (Luck jerseys) now," said Gordon Cox.

"Oh, I loved it. I am just so pleased. It's like a whole new team, but to see the defense go from quick small guys to the big bruisers, excellent," said Paul Falkner.

"I am not going to say Super Bowl, because I don't want to jinx it, but if we don't make the playoffs, we are going to be really close," said Brandon Puckett.

That enthusiasm may be enough to keep fans in their seats on game day.