San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts: A Preseason Prospector's Guide

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One of the many great things about the start of the season is we get to bring back the weekly Prospector's Guide. For those that are new to the site since last season, the Prospector's Guide is our weekly breakdown of some of the random interesting tidbits about the weekly matchup. The 49ers PR folks email out a game release for the given week that includes a very broad range of information. It includes basic information like television and radio information. It also includes a history between the two teams including their previous matchups, and also players and coaches that have played or coached on the other team and players that were teammates or coaches with members of the opposition.

I generally don't post every single tidbit from the release as there is a ton of information. However, I'll generally pull out the quick preview of the game, connections with the opponent, series highlights including a recap of the previous matchup, and a rundown of their statistics and rankings to date (for now it'll be 2009 statistics). I generally post these every Wednesday, depending on when I get the release. It's not earth-shattering information, but it's a fun way to beef up on the opposition. On to the guide.

The 49ers open the 2010 preseason by traveling to Indianapolis for a meeting against the Colts. This will be the first time the two clubs have matched up in a preseason game since 1950, when the 49ers edged the Colts 27-14 on the road. After finishing 8-8 in 2009, the team’s best record since 2002, the 49ers are poised to improve on last year’s record. The team returns a strong core of starters on offense and defense, providing veteran leadership and a promising chance to capture the NFC West Division crown.

San Francisco recorded a 3-1 record in the 2009 preseason, winning the first three contests before dropping the final game to the San Diego Chargers. This will mark the first time the 49ers have faced an AFC South Division foe in the preseason since 2005, when the Niners triumphed over the Tennessee Titans 16-13 at home. The 49ers are 1-0 against the AFC South Divison in preseason play, dating back to 2002 when the newly realigned divisions took shape.

49ers-Colts Connections
Coaches
• 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye coached alongside Colts defensive line coach John Teerlinck with the Los Angeles Rams in 1991.
• Special Teams Coordinator Ray Rychleski served as the position coach for 49ers TE Vernon Davis at Maryland (2003-05).

Players
FORMER COLTS - Secondary coach Vance Joseph played with the Colts during the 1996 season ... Director of Pro Personnel Tom Gamble was a college scout for the Colts from 1998-2004.

FORMER 49ERS - Colts DB Terrail Lambert spent training camp with San Francisco after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009.

HUSKER POWER - 49ers T Chris Patrick and Colts LB Cody Glenn were teammates at Nebraska from 2005-07.

INDIANA TIES – 49ers WR coach Jerry Sullivan served in the same capacity at the Indiana University in 1983 ... 49ers tight ends coach Pete Hoener was the offensive coordinator at Indiana State from 1978–1984. Hoener also served as offensive line coach at Purdue University from 1989–1991 ... 49ers QB Nate Davis played at Ball State in Muncie, IN, from 2006-08.

RED RAIDER PRIDE - 49ers WR Michael Crabtree and Colts DE Keyunta Dawson were teammates at Texas Tech from 2005-06.

TROJAN TIES - 49ers G Chilo Rachal and Colts DT Fili Voala were teammates at Southern California from 2005-07.

Preseason Series Highlights
Preseason Matchups: 2
Preseason Series: 49ers lead series 2-0
First Preseason Meeting: 1948, 49ers win, 42-14, in SF
Last Preseason Meeting: 1950, 49ers win, 27-14, at Bal.
Current Streak: Won 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 2 (1948-2010)
Longest Colts Win Streak: None
Most 49ers Points: 42 (1948) - 42-14 at SF
Most Colts Points: 14 (2 times, last 1950) - 27-14 at Bal.
49ers Shutouts: None
Colts Shutouts: None

The last preseason game between these two teams was in 1950 and shockingly enough, there's no recap. This was the first season after the AAFC folded and the 49ers were absorbed into the NFL. For a rundown of that season, check out howtheyscored's recap of the 1950 season.

2009 Statistics