Spring Break
Peterson, Vikings run over Chicago defense
Associated Press
Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Sports
CHICAGO (AP) - Adrian Peterson showed the Chicago Bears why he was the first running back taken in this year's draft with an electrifying, record-setting rushing performance and three touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings.
Still, the Vikings needed a 55-yard field goal from Ryan Longwell on the final play Sunday to beat the Bears 34-31.
After Chicago's Brian Griese hit Devin Hester on an 81-yard TD pass to tie the game with 1:38 left, Peterson came through again. He returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Bears 38.
After Peterson was thrown for a 4-yard loss on third down back to the 37, Longwell floated a kick that just cleared the crossbar, setting off a Vikings' celebration at Soldier Field.
Breaking through the line with power, making lightning-like cuts and then turning on the speed, Peterson finished with 224 yards rushing on 20 carries and scored on runs of 67, 73 and 35 yards. He broke Chuck Foreman's club-record of 200 rushing yards set against the Eagles in 1976.
Peterson's 35-yard TD run with 4:10 put the Vikings ahead 31-17, but the Bears came back.
Muhsin Muhammad caught a 33-yard TD pass from Griese with 2:36 remaining. After the Vikings recovered an onside kick at the Bears' 40, Chicago held and forced a punt, taking over at its 19 with 1:53 to go.
On second down, Griese dropped back and lofted the long pass to Hester. The kick return specialist had made a nice move and then raced by Dwight Smith to catch the ball at the 35, completing the 81-yard play.
Still, the Vikings needed a 55-yard field goal from Ryan Longwell on the final play Sunday to beat the Bears 34-31.
After Chicago's Brian Griese hit Devin Hester on an 81-yard TD pass to tie the game with 1:38 left, Peterson came through again. He returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Bears 38.
After Peterson was thrown for a 4-yard loss on third down back to the 37, Longwell floated a kick that just cleared the crossbar, setting off a Vikings' celebration at Soldier Field.
Breaking through the line with power, making lightning-like cuts and then turning on the speed, Peterson finished with 224 yards rushing on 20 carries and scored on runs of 67, 73 and 35 yards. He broke Chuck Foreman's club-record of 200 rushing yards set against the Eagles in 1976.
Peterson's 35-yard TD run with 4:10 put the Vikings ahead 31-17, but the Bears came back.
Muhsin Muhammad caught a 33-yard TD pass from Griese with 2:36 remaining. After the Vikings recovered an onside kick at the Bears' 40, Chicago held and forced a punt, taking over at its 19 with 1:53 to go.
On second down, Griese dropped back and lofted the long pass to Hester. The kick return specialist had made a nice move and then raced by Dwight Smith to catch the ball at the 35, completing the 81-yard play.
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