Bengals dodge OT with late FG for 9-6 win

Credit: John Boyle

Credit: John Boyle

The Cincinnati Bengals rested 20 of their 22 starters Thursday night in the preseason finale at Indianapolis, but the backups almost got even more work than expected.

Tom Obarski enabled the Bengals to avoid their first preseason overtime contest since 2001 by kicking a 28-yard field goal with 2 minutes and 49 seconds remaining to lift the team to a 9-6 victory.

Coldwater High School graduate and Bengals third-string quarterback Keith Wenning led the winning drive after the getting the ball in Colts territory following another big play by Cincinnati linebacker Chris Carter.

Carter sacked Indianapolis quarterback Bryan Bennett and forced a fumble that rookie defensive tackle Marcus Hardison recovered at the Colts 34. The play capped an impressive preseason for Carter, as he finished with a team 3.5 sacks in his bid to make the 53-man roster.

The only two starters who played for the Bengals were center Russell Bodine and linebacker A.J. Hawk. Bodine logged 13 snaps, while Hawk was on the field for 11.

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