Coming off a 3-13 season the Vikings needed to get off to a winning start this year, and thankfully for them they had the Jacksonville Jaguars in town for the 2012 regular season opener at Mall of America Field, another team in the midst of a rebuilding with young talent.

After an anemic start, the Vikings led by second year quarterback Christan Ponder and running back Adrian Peterson did what appeared to be enough to solidify a win, until a dramatic turn of events with less than 30 seconds left in regulation time threatened to put the Vikings in the loss column to start the season.

Game Bullets - Vikings vs. Jaguars 9/9/2012

 

  • The last time the Vikings and Jaguars met in 2008, the Vikes won 30-12.
  • The Jaguars haven't won in Minnesota in 11 years.
  • The Jaguars are coached by ex-Viking TE Mike Mularkey, he wore purple from 1983-88.
  • Both Vikings first round draft picks Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith started in their first NFL regular season game.
  • Former Vikings DE Chris Doleman, who was enshrined in the Hall of Fame this year, got his ring during a brief halftime ceremony.
  • Adrian Peterson electrified the 56,507 fans in attendance at Mall of America field after he was announced as a starter and made his entrance into the stadium.
  • 1st quarter ends with the Vikings offense and Christan Ponder looking pretty anemic, getting only one first down and 15 yards in the air. Jaguars lead 3-0
  • Jaguars march down the field early in the second quarter and score a TD on a one yard pass to Mercedes Lewis after going 78 yards in seven minutes.
  • Vikings rookie Matt Kalil blocks the extra point. He becomes only the third player in team history to block a PAT in a season opener. Jaguars lead 9-0
  • Vikings fans start getting impatient with Ponder after four straight Chris Kluwe punts, load "boos" are heard throughout Mall of America field.
  • With 2:28 left in the first half of the game, Ponder targeted Percy Harvin three plays in a row to kick off a 7 play, 59 yard drive that ended in Adrian Peterson's first TD of the 2012 season. Jaguars lead 9-7
  • After two 19 yard plays to Peterson and Harvin the Vikings score on a two yard Peterson run. Vikings lead 14-9
  • On the next offensive series, Ponder was sacked and gave up a fumble, which led to a Jaguars field goal. Vikings lead 14-12
  • The Vikings start the final quarter finishing up an 11 play, 75 yard drive that was finalized with a 20 yard field goal from rookie kicker Blair Walsh. Vikings lead 17-12
  • During the next two drives, the Vikings and Jaguars each score field goals giving the Vikings the lead 20-15 going into the final minutes of the game.
  • The Vikings are forced to punt, giving the Jaguars the ball with one minute and 18 seconds left in the forth quarter.
  • In a stunning turn, the Jaguars cap off a 76 yard drive with a 39 yard TD pass and a two point conversation, giving the Jaguars the lead 23-20 with only 27 seconds left in the game.
  • Vikings get the ball with 20 seconds remaining, Ponder completes a 26 yard pass to Devin Aromashodu and a 6 yard pass to TE Kyle Rudolph setting up a cliff hanger ending.
  • Walsh makes a 55 yard filed goal, forcing the game into overtime. Game tied at 23
  • Vikings win the toss and drive the ball 55 yards giving the rookie kicker a chance to make another big kick.
  • Walsh impresses with a 38 yard field goal putting the Vikings in the lead 26-23
  • Since the Vikings didn't score a TD, the new overtime rules give the Jaguars a chance to score
  • They don't, Vikings WIN 26-23
  • Adrian Peterson’s 84 yards rushing establishes a new team record for most career yards breaking Robert Smith’s career mark. 6,836 Adrian Peterson; 6,818 Robert Smith; 5,879 Chuck Foreman.
  • The Vikings looked much improved in their 2012 debut but still have much to prove as the road for this young team only gets tougher in coming weeks
  • For a more in depth look into the home opener visit our sister station WEBC 560 ESPN

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