The Bulls did not need an offensive touchdown to leave Indianapolis with a win. They needed a steadier hand on special teams, a defense that kept creating extra chances and Michael Thomas’s leg. All three came through in a 12-7 preseason victory over the Racers on Saturday.

Thomas’s night began with a miss: his 46-yard attempt sailed wide right with 14 seconds left in the first quarter. After Courtney Wilson recovered a George Bartling fumble in the second, the Bulls turned the opportunity into points. Thomas connected from 47 yards to open the scoring, then added a 22-yarder with 30 seconds remaining in the half for a 6-0 lead.

The restart after halftime brought the game’s biggest jolt. Bartling returned Thomas’s kickoff 109 yards for a Racers touchdown, and Johnnie Kline’s extra point put the home team ahead 7-6. The Bulls had to reset quickly, and their defense helped make sure the return did not become a turning point. Las Vegas forced three fumbles and recovered two, part of a pressure-minded performance that also produced four sacks and two interceptions.

The teams traded turnovers in the fourth. Charles Butts intercepted Micheal Stewart early in the quarter, and a little later Anthony Williams picked off Daniel Davis. Butts’ return gave the Bulls the ball at the Racers’ 33, though the possession ended with Thomas’s 22-yard field goal, putting Las Vegas back in front, 9-7.

Then came another swing on the ensuing kickoff: Bartling fumbled after a 24-yard return, and Thomas recovered for the Bulls. Las Vegas made the field position count, with Thomas converting from 36 yards to extend the lead to 12-7 with 7:24 remaining.

The Racers still threatened late. A 36-yard pass to Jim Crowley appeared to produce a touchdown, but penalties on both teams offset and the down was replayed. With 1:19 left, Matt Willard intercepted Stewart to end that push and protect the Bulls’ five-point margin.

The box score fits the way Las Vegas earned this one. The Bulls ran 33 times for 108 yards and completed 19 of 33 passes for 137, but went without an offensive touchdown and converted four of five field-goal attempts. Their defense supplied the difference, turning Racers mistakes into chances for Thomas while limiting the home team to 24 rushing yards.

For Jason Burton’s group, this Week 3 preseason result is a useful snapshot of what can travel: a defense able to disrupt, and a kicker who can finish the possessions that disruption creates. The Bulls will take the win—and the work still left to do on offense—into the next stage of preparation.