Aug 23, 2008 - 11:28 PM
0 shoutsBy Mike Weimerskirch PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Mike Tomlin had the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense ready to play. His influence is still showing on the Minnesota sideline as well.
Both defenses were dominant, but the Steelers got just enough offense from four Jeff Reed field goals - the final one from 47 yards with 4 seconds on the clock - to post a 12-10 preseason victory over Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
Tomlin, now the Steelers head coach, served as the defensive coordinator for the Vikings in 2006, during Brad Childress' first season as head coach.
Ben Roethlisberger was 10-of-17 passing for 65 yards for the Steelers. He was sacked twice as the Steelers managed just 76 yards in the first half.
The Vikings' defensive line shut down Steelers running back Willie Parker, who was limited to just 18 yards on 10 carries.
The Vikings' running backs didn't fare any better. Chester Taylor was held to five yards on four carries in the first half. Adrian Peterson had just 21 yards on his 12 attempts.
The defenses also had a hand in the early scoring.
After Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams stripped rookie Rashard Mendenhall early in the second quarter, Peterson ran in from the 1-yard line for the game's only touchdown.
Pittsburgh answered with a field goal later in the half after cornerback Ike Taylor intercepted Gus Frerotte's pass at the Minnesota 38.
Frerotte was 13-of-19, for 133 yards in three quarters of action. The 15-year veteran replaced starter Tarvaris Jackson, who sat out with an injury to his right knee.
From the Bleachers
-
PITTSBURGH: 12
MINNESOTA: 10
Final
Aug 23 11:04 PM -
NFL
FG PIT
JEFF REED 47 YD
PITTSBURGH 12
MINNESOTA 10 0:04 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Aug 23 11:03 PM -
NFL
FG PIT
JEFF REED 37 YD
PITTSBURGH 9
MINNESOTA 10 10:02 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Aug 23 10:27 PM -
PITTSBURGH: 6
MINNESOTA: 10
End of 3rd
Aug 23 10:16 PM -
NFL
FG PIT
JEFF REED 43 YD
PITTSBURGH 6
MINNESOTA 10 2:50 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Aug 23 10:07 PM -
NFL
FG MIN
RYAN LONGWELL 37 YD
PITTSBURGH 3
MINNESOTA 10 10:06 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Aug 23 9:49 PM -
PITTSBURGH: 3
MINNESOTA: 7
Halftime
Aug 23 9:27 PM -
NFL
FG PIT
JEFF REED 35 YD
PITTSBURGH 3
MINNESOTA 7 6:40 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Aug 23 9:07 PM -
NFL
TD MIN
ADRIAN PETERSON 1 YD RUN
(RYAN LONGWELL KICK)
PITTSBURGH 0
MINNESOTA 7 14:12 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Aug 23 8:46 PM -
PITTSBURGH: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
End of 1st
Aug 23 8:41 PM
