Indianapolis Colts: 15 greatest receivers in franchise history
By John Buhler
player. 46. . WR. (1982-89). Matt Bouza. 11
- 234 career receptions
- 3,064 career receiving yards
- 17 career touchdown receptions
- Career 32.6 receiving yards per game
Matt Bouza never really starred on the field for the Colts, but did put together a solid body of work for them in their receiving corps in the 1980s. After going undrafted out of Cal, Bouza spent his rookie year with the local San Francisco 49ers in 1981. He only appeared in one game for the 49ers.
In 1982, Bouza made his way to Baltimore and would stick with the Colts for the next eight seasons. For his first four seasons with the Colts, Bouza could be counted on for roughly 25 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown annually. However, he only played in 16 games in a season once during that span, which came in 1984.
Bouza would have his best season with the Colts in 1986. He set career highs in receptions with 71, receiving yards with 830 and receiving touchdowns with five. Though 1986 was his lowest yards per reception season with just 11.7, his sheer volume as a pass catcher helped him achieve those numbers easily. It also helped that he appeared in all 16 games for only the second time of his career, which would also be his last.
Bouza played three more seasons with the Colts, including two more respectable seasons with the club in 1987 and 1989. Essentially, Bouza’s receiving prime came with the Colts from 1985 to 1988. He had at least 25 catches for 342 yards and two touchdowns in those four seasons.
While Bouza would play for the Colts in 1989, he did not register a catch in the two games he played for Indianapolis. He retired from football at age 30 after the 1989 NFL season. All but one of his 94 career games came in Colts uniform.
Overall, Bouza finished with 234 career receptions for 3,064 yards and 17 touchdown receptions. His career 32.6 receiving yards per game isn’t anything special. Frankly, neither is his NFL career. However, his body of work has him firmly inside of the top-15 in all three major receiving categories by a Colts wide receiver. Therefore, his inclusion on this all-time list is justified.