Final
Walsh's late field goal lifts Vikings over Titans
Aug 30, 2013 - 3:27 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Brian Walsh's 25-yard field goal with under two minutes left lifted the Minnesota Vikings to a 24-23 victory over the Tennessee Titans in the preseason finale for both teams on Thursday at Mall of America Field.Matt Cassel started under center for the Vikings and went 3-for-3 for 48 yards, while backup McLeod Bethel-Thompson completed 19-of-26 passes for 187 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Joe Banyard caught seven passes for 54 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota, which finished the preseason 1-3 and will open the regular season on Sept. 8 at Detroit.
Tennessee starting quarterback Jake Locker finished 3-of-5 passing for 31 yards, while backup Ryan Fitzpatrick completed all five of his passes for 61 yards and a score.
Third-stringer Rusty Smith threw for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception while completing 13-of-21 passes for the Titans, who went 1-3 in the preseason and will begin their regular-season slate on Sept. 8 at Pittsburgh.
Rob Bironas buried a 28-yard field goal on Tennessee's opening touch before Matt Asiata capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard TD surge to give the Vikings a 7-3 lead.
Justin Hunter answered with a 17-yard touchdown grab from Fitzpatrick, but Banyard hauled in an 11-yard score from Bethel-Thompson on Minnesota's ensuing touch to make it 14-10.
Smith responded with a 2-yard scoring strike to Jack Doyle to send the Titans into the break with a 17-14 edge, but Marcus Sherels returned the opening kick of the second half 109 yards for a touchdown to give Minnesota a 21-17 lead.
Bironas drilled a 29-yard field goal midway through the third and added a 24- yarder early in the fourth to put the Titans in front, but Walsh's late field goal lifted the Vikings to victory.
- TENNESSEE: 23
MINNESOTA: 24
Final
Aug 29 10:56 PM - TENNESSEE: 20
MINNESOTA: 21
End of 3rd
Aug 29 10:18 PM - Minnesota Touchdown - 109-yard kickoff retrun by Marcus Sherels. (Blair Wals
Titans 17, Vikings 21 3rd - 14:48Aug 29 9:42 PM - TENNESSEE: 17
MINNESOTA: 14
Halftime
Aug 29 9:21 PM - Minnesota Touchdown - 11-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson to Joe Banyar
Titans 10, Vikings 14 2nd - 2:29Aug 29 9:10 PM - Tennessee Touchdown - 17-yard pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Justin Hunter. (
Titans 10, Vikings 7 2nd - 7:35Aug 29 8:47 PM - Minnesota Touchdown - 1-yard run by Matt Asiata. (Blair Walsh kick).
Titans 3, Vikings 7 2nd - 15:07Aug 29 8:43 PM - TENNESSEE: 3
MINNESOTA: 0
End of 1st
Aug 29 8:40 PM - TENNESSEE: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
1st Quarter - 15:00
Aug 29 8:07 PM
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