JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- In a Sunday afternoon blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars marked a new era at quarterback.
Blake Bortles, the third pick in this year's NFL Draft, started the second half after an awful first half by starter Chad Henne and a 30-0 deficit to Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts.
Bortles wasn't able to do enough to rally the Jags thanks to a nearly perfect performance by Luck. The Colts never trailed on the way to a dominant 44-17 win.
Luck finished the game completing 31 of 39 passes (79%) for 370 yards and 4 touchdowns. At one point, Luck completed 13-straight passes.
"I do think you get into a rhythm and I focused about getting completions, no interceptions, getting it to the guy early when he's open and let him do some stuff with the ball," Luck said.
Bortles had his ups and downs, throwing two touchdowns (one to Allen Hurns and one to Cecil Shorts III), and two interceptions. One pick was returned for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter. Henne was 4 of 7 for 33 yards in the first half.
"We needed something. The first half didn't go well and that was on all of us," said Shorts who played in his first game of the season Sunday. "Blake came out the second half and we got things rolling a little bit and it was good."
During the post game press conference, head coach Gus Bradley said Bortles will be the starting quarterback next Sunday when the Jaguars (0-3 overall, 0-1 division) take on the San Diego Chargers (2-1) at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Bradley also said he spoke to Henne and Bortles in the week leading up to the game to let them know a change could be coming. Henne said he knew the change was coming, but he didn't think it would come in the third game of the season.
"The biggest thing for me is to just keep my head high and try to be the captain that I was voted to be for this year and help Blake out as much as I can and really try to help this offense grow," Henne said.
Although a stadium full for Jaguars fans were excited when Bortles took the field, after the game Bortles wasn't happy with the result or his performance. He called it "average."
LIVE BLOG
4th Quarter
Bortles throws his first interception of his NFL career to Vonte Davis trying to hit Robinson on a long pass.
Later, Luck leads the Colts on a 6-play drive that ends with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks.
Colts: 37
Jags:3
The Jags Week 1 star, Allen Hurns, resurfaces to give the offense the first touchdown of the game with under 7 minutes left. Hurns took a short pass from Bortles, broke a couple passes, and scored a 63-yard touchdown. Bortles notches the first passing TD of his NFL career on the 80-plus yard drive.
Colts: 37
Jags: 10
Along with his first touchdown, Bortles also threw his first touchdown for the wrong team. Greg Toler picked off a Bortles floater and returned it 47 yards for the score.
Colts: 44
Jags: 10
Playing in his first game of the season, Cecill Shorts III caught a 10 yard touchdown pass on a quick slant throw from Bortles and the final score of the game.
Final:
Colts: 44
Jags: 17
3rd Quarter
The Jacksonville Jaguars fans erupted as Blake Bortles opened the second half as the Jaguars starting quarterback. Bortles goes 1-5 for 21 yards before the Jags have to settle for a punt.
After a stop by the Jags defense, Bortles leads the offense to the first score of the game, a 41-yard field goal.
Colts: 30
Jags: 3
Bortles is 2/8 for 47 yards to go along with a 20-yard run.
Halftime
Colts: 30
Jags: 0
It was a half of pure domination by the Colts. Luck was able to move the ball at will against the Jags defense to the tune of 22 of 27 for 244 yards and three touchdowns.
The Jags offense produces a total of 55 yards.
2nd Quarter:
Another drive, another Colts score. Luck with another short touchdown pass, this time to tight-end Dwayne Allen. The Jags have 0 first downs so far in the game.
Colts: 17
Jags: 0
Two more field goals from Vinatieri (25, 43) and a 7-yard touchdown from Luck to Fleener puts the Colts out to a comfortable, and embarrassing, lead over the inept Jags.
Colts: 30
Jags: 0
1st Quarter:
Luck and the Colts picked up a couple third downs using short passes on the opening drive. The Jags defense was able to minimize the damage with a third down stop shortly after the Colts crossed mid-field. The drive ended with a 48-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri.
Colts: 3 Jags: 0
A methodical drive by Luck and the Colts, helped along by a 27 yard run by Trent Richardson, is capped off by a 6-yard pass from Luck to Ahmad Bradshaw. The Colts marched 74 yards in nine plays.
Luck stats so far: 10-13 for 77 yards, 1 TD
Colts:10
Jags:0
