FLASH RECAP:
Minnesota dominates listless Oakland before an announced crowd of 37,411 at Network Associates Coliseum on Aug. 22, 2003.
The Vikings (2-1) control the ball for 35 minutes, 14 seconds, they have 195 rushing yards and force two turnovers (both of which lead to touchdowns).
Daunte Cullpepper throws two first-half touchdown passes to Randy Moss, and Onterrio Smith scores on a 5-yard run early in the third quarter for the Vikings.
Sebastien Janikowski kicks a 20-yard field goal and rookie Joe O'Donnell has a 33-yard field goal for Oakland (1-2), which suffers its second straight exhibition loss. The Raiders' Rich Gannon, Marques Tuiasosopo and Rick Mirer combine for 214 passing yards, but Tuiasospopo and Mirer throw interceptions.
Oakland's struggling offense gains 282 total yards, but 85 of it comes on two plays - a 41-yard pass from Gannon to Jerry Rice and a 44-yard run by Ronney Jenkins. The Vikings build a 14-3 lead at halftime after out-gaining the Raiders 228-124 in total yards.
PRIME-TIME PLAYERS:
WR Randy Moss - Burns CB Charles Woodson for 5- and 1-yard touchdown passes during the first half. Moss finishes with 5 catches for 36 yards after having only 4 receptions in the Vikings' first two preseason games.
LB Chris Claiborne - Prevents one touchdown with a pass deflection and sets up another with an interception. After Oakland's Teyo Johnson grabs a Rich Gannon pass in the back of the end zone, Claiborne knocks the ball out of Johnson's hands for an incompletion early in the second quarter. The Vikings score their second touchdown after Claiborne intercepts Marques Tuiasosopo at the Oakland 41.
QB Daunte Culpepper - Completes 13 of 22 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. He also has 3 rushes for 16 yards.
Minnesota O-line - When a team has the ball for a whopping 35:14, somebody is winning the battle of the line of scrimmage Big Time.
P Shane Lechler - Has distances of 65, 63, 62 and 58 yards among his five punts.
WR Tim Brown - Contributes 4 catches for 36 yards after having no receptions in Oakland's first two exhibition games.
DB Nmamdi Asomugha - Making his preseason debut during the third quarter, the Raiders' top draft pick has two tackles, including one on a pass to James Wofford in the flat for a 5-yard loss.
FS Rod Woodson - Has a game-high 6 solo tackles. You know it's a bad sign for a defense when its leading tackler is a safety.
KEY STAT:
First, the good news. For the first time in the 2003 exhibition season, the Raiders' first-team offense scores - on a 20-yard field goal by Sebastian Janikowski in the second quarter. Now, the bad news. Oakland's first-string offense doesn't have a touchdown for the third straight preseason game.
TURNING POINT:
The Vikings drive 41 yards for their second touchdown after linebacker Chris Claiborne intercepts Marques Tuiasosopo. Daunte Culpepper's 1-yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss gives Minnesota a 14-3 lead with 24 seconds left in the first half.
BY THE NUMBERS:
-
0: Touchdowns for Oakland's first-team offense in three straight 2003 exhibition games.
2: Missed field goals by the Vikings' Hayden Epstein
228: Total yards by Minnesota in the first half.
THEY SAID IT:
Raiders coach Bill Callahan
"It was a physical game, and we got whipped. They manhandled us."
"I always enjoyed playing in front of these fans and that really hasn't changed. What happened here is in the past. I've moved on. I'm a Viking now."
Ex-Raiders LB Greg Biekert
DID YOU KNOW?:
Some fans cheer the announcement of linebacker Greg Biekert's name when the Vikings defense is introduced before the game. Biekert played nine seasons for the Raiders before being released Sept. 1, 2002.
The Vikings' Randy Moss (84) catches the second oftwo touchdown passes against Charles Woodson.
By The Associated Press
