quarterback." Hogeboom was assumed to be lost for the season and rookie Jack Trudeau was forced into the starting lineup and the team struggled through the season with thirteen straight losses. After the last loss, Dowhower was fired and former Southern Methodist University and New England Patriots coach Ron Meyer was brought in. Hogeboom surprised everyone by returning and starting for Meyer's first game as the Colts coach. They were matched against the Atlanta Falcons and were a heavy underdog, Hogeboom played a great game helping the Colts come from behind to win on a blocked punt at the end of the fourth quarter. The Colts shocked the league by winning the last three games of the season to finish up at 3–13 and generating optimism heading into the next season. 1987 season With a potential player strike looming, the Colts started the 1987 season with two losses, one was with Jack Trudeau who was replacing an injured Hogeboom. At this point the NFL Players Association chose to call a work stoppage and Hogeboom was one of the handful of players who chose to cross the picket lines and keep playing. At issue was specific language in Hogeboom's contract which potentially could have cost him all his remaining salary. The owners decided to field teams of replacement players to fulfill their obligation to the ticket holders and television networks. Hogeboom led the Colts replacement players to a 2–0 record before being injured in the second game. This injury was caused by veteran defensive end Marty Lyons flagrantly spearing him on a quarterback sneak play, breaking a rib in his back and puncturing a lung. Although the Colts lost the last strike game with a new quarterback, the victories in the previous contests were crucial in securing the franchise's first playoff berth in ten years. After the strike, Jack Trudeau started the next four games with a 2–2 record. After a win against the New England Patriots, the Colts made a blockbuster trade to get star running back Eric Dickerson. Since Hogeboom's injury had healed, he was re-inserted as the starter, helping the team win against the Miami Dolphins, but also lost against the New England Patriots. In the next game, he led the Colts to a rousing home win versus the Houston Oilers. However, Hogeboom was to again be injured in this game. On a 22-yard touchdown pass to Albert