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49ers fail to stop Vikings
By Pearl Allison Lo December 9, 2007 |
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Minnesota Vikings’ Ryan Longwell’s field goal at 5:13 in the first quarter was the game winner in a 27-7 easy victory over the San Francisco 49ers as Minnesota moved into first place for the NFC wild-card. San Francisco quarterback Trent Dilfer ran head first into Charles Gordon of the Vikings on his way towards the end zone near the end of the half and was knocked out for awhile. Luckily he was able to sit up and walk off the field with help eventually, but was called out for the rest of the game with a head injury. Shaun Hill replaced Dilfer as Hill made his second career appearance. Hill completed his first 4 passes, suffered a nasty pull-down and threw the first score of the game, a 5-yard touchdown pass to Arnaz Battle at 7:12, to make the score 27-6. He also recorded two interceptions on two tipped balls and surpassed Dilfer’s numbers. Hill was 22 of 28 for 181 yards with the 1 TD and 2 interceptions compared to Dilfer’s 7 of 19 for 45 yards and the 1 interception. It was Minnesota’s first win in nearly 2 decades in San Francisco as the Niners didn’t do much to stop the Vikings from scoring in the first half. Minnesota also improved their winning streak to 4 games. SF’s offense barely got anything going as evidenced by Maurice Hicks having two 55-yard returns and Walt Harris forcing a fumble at MIN 28 and Patrick Willis recovering, but coming up with nothing. The second half was much more entertaining and productive on both sides of the ball for the Niners at first. The 49ers started off rough when on the second play of the game, Kevin Williams had an interception and score for 18 yards. It was 6-0 early at 14:53 in the first quarter when that occurred. The Vikings ended their 1st possession, 13 plays and for 6:15, with a 48 yard field goal by Ryan Longwell at 5:13 to make the score 10-0. Minnesota then scored on a second straight possession in the second quarter, as Tarvaris Jackson passed 19 yards to Robert Ferguson for the touchdown. Ferguson made it look easy when he waltzed in due to a missed tackle by Derek Smith at 14:19 to make the score 16-0. Ferguson also had a 23-yard pass during the drive. The Vikings scored again when the 49ers’ Frank Gore fumbled at 8:55. E. J. Henderson recovered the ball for Minnesota and the Vikings eventually scored with another Longwell FG at 7:20 to make the score 20-0. Chester Taylor also added an 84-yard TD run at 6:07 as he evaded several SF tackle attempts along the way to make the score 26-0. Taylor ended up with 101 yards and the TD. Game notes: Jeff Ulbrich left with an ankle sprain. The Niners have lost their last 5 at home but moved a game ahead of St. Louis and being the worst in the NFC. SF gave it to Gore mostly as he rushed for 68 of their 73 yards on 16 carries. He had 49 receiving yards. Gordon suffered a leg injury. The Vikings have outscored opponents 112-49 since November 11. Adrian Peterson had an opposite game of last week’s, 3 yards on 14 carries. |
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