INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Tim Jennings nearly called a timeout Monday night when the New England Patriots came out on offense.

The former Orangeburg-Wilkinson star and current Indianapolis Colts defensive back was on the field when Patriots coach Bill Belichick made the controversial decision to send his offense out on fourth-and-2 with his Patriots deep in their own territory.

“It kind of really surprised me,” Jennings said. “But, it was a close game up until that point, and it seemed like everything was working for them. Actually, now, I’m kind of not surprised that they went for it. It just seemed like everything was working for them.

“(When they first came out) I just had the mind-set that I needed to call a timeout,” he added. “We sent the punt return team on the field, but once we saw that they were sending the offense on the field we were able to get everything situated. I was going to be on the field regardless, and I was thinking that they might try to draw us off-sides, but they ran a play and didn’t convert.”

With a six-point lead, Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady passed to tailback Kevin Faulk who was brought down short of the first down by Colts’ safety Melvin Bullett. With two minutes to play, Peyton Manning led the Colts down the field, connecting with Reggie Wayne on the game-winning touchdown pass with 14 seconds to play, keeping the Indianapolis’ perfect 9-0 record intact with a 35-34 win.

“It was exciting,” Jennings said. “Everybody (in the locker room) was excited from the doctors all the way to the players. Everybody was excited. You know, it felt like one of the big games. It wasn’t the biggest game, but it was a big game, and it always comes down to the wire with us, the Colts and the Patriots.”

Jennings, who has 34 tackles, one interception and six passes defensed this year, finished the win over New England with three tackles. A season after posting a career-high 74 tackles and two interceptions, Jennings, a solid special teams performer, found himself battling for playing time in a crowded defensive backfield earlier this season. But, starting cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson (out for the season) have been beset by injuries allowing Jennings and rookies Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey the opportunity to step up and see plenty of playing time.

“My season has been a little up and down,” Jennings said. “I could have been better. I could have a couple more interceptions. I had a few drops, and you hate drops because those are lost opportunities. It’s kind of been up-and-down for me, but I’m lucky I’m still out there playing. I’m still going out there doing what God gave me the talent to do.”

And, thanks in part, perhaps, to Belichick’s decision to go for it Monday night, Jennings is doing it on an undefeated team with its sights set on a Super Bowl.

“(The expectations) have been the same every year since I have been here,” he said. “You go out there and expect a lot from us. You expect to win the division. We feel like if we win the division, get in the playoffs, then the hottest team is going all the way to the Super Bowl.”

T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be reached via e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553.

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