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Vikings Get All The Bounces

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The Associated Press

Published: October 8, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - Bernard Berrian ran the wrong route at the right time.

The result was a tying, 33-yard touchdown pass from Gus Frerotte intended for another receiver. When Frerotte threw the ball Berrian's way a little later, the Vikings receiver didn't even have to catch it to set up the winning score.

A pass interference call on a deep throw into double coverage set up Ryan Longwell's 30-yard field goal with 13 seconds left, allowing Minnesota to escape with a 30-27 victory against the Saints on Monday night.
Reggie Bush ran back an NFL record-tying two punts for touchdowns of 71 and 64 yards as the Saints turned a 10-point third-quarter deficit into a one-touchdown fourth-quarter lead. But the Saints committed too many blunders - and the Vikings were too opportunistic - for Bush's night to matter.

"This is as good a win as it gets," Vikings coach Brad Childress said. "I don't know if I've ever been involved in one that went that way."

Frerotte repeatedly delivered clutch throws under heavy pressure, absorbed several hard hits and at one point needed a doctor's clearance to return. He passed for 222 yards and a touchdown.

"I was just determined to go up there and catch it," Berrian said. "It just hung up there and I made a play."

The Vikings' other touchdown pass was thrown by running back Chester Taylor, who found Visanthe Shiancoe on a 4-yard toss.

Saints kicker Martin Gramatica, who had a field goal attempt blocked and returned 59-yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, pulled a 46-yard attempt wide left with two minutes left.

"These guys killed each other for 60 minutes ... It kills you to let them down," Gramatica said.

SAINTS: Cornerback Tracy Porter needed surgery on what Coach Sean Payton described as a dislocated right wrist, but it was not clear how long the rookie starter would be out.

BENGALS: The league suspended reserve linebacker Darryl Blackstock for four games for using a performance-enhancing substance. The fourth-year pro said in a statement that one of his nutritional supplements contained a banned ingredient.

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