Don Shula would like to clarify a story that’s become urban legend in the sports media.

There isn’t a big celebratory champagne bash whenever a team falls short of matching the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only undefeated squad in NFL history.

“That’s probably the most-talked-about thing that just doesn’t happen,” Shula, the former Dolphins coach, said during a national conference call. “We’ve got players scattered all across the country. Nick Buoniconti, Bob Griese and Dick Anderson all live in Coral Gables, and they’ll go to a parking lot and open a bottle of champagne, but those three are too cheap to invite the rest of us down there.”

This could be the season when the cork doesn’t pop.

The undefeated Indianapolis Colts – a team that now has an aggressive defense to match its offensive proficiency – are posing a formidable challenge to Miami’s legacy.

“The Colts are doing things that no one has ever done,” Shula said. “They’ve looked tremendous.”

At 10-0, the Colts are coming off their most impressive victory of the season, 45-37 at Cincinnati. The Colts have won seven games by double digits, lead the league in points and rank second in points allowed.

“We’ve been accused of being angry, old men and just hoping and praying that the last team would lose, and that’s not true,” Shula said. “If the Colts do it, I’d be the first guy to call (Colts coach Tony) Dungy and congratulate him, and I’m sure our players would congratulate their players.”