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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Late FG lifts Vikings over Saints

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Minnesota’s Ryan Longwell gets off his winning field-goal attempt with 13 seconds left against New Orleans. The Vikings won, 30-27.

BILL HABER | Associated Press

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NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints committed so many blunders, not even Reggie Bush's record-tying two punt returns for touchdowns could make up for them in a 30-27 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last night.

Gus Frerotte passed for 222 yards and a game-tying touchdown to Bernard Berrian with 7:10 to play, and Ryan Longwell's 30-yard field goal with 13 seconds left gave Minnesota (2-3) the comeback win.

"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."

Longwell's game-winning kick was set up by a pass interference call on a long throw to Berrian.

Martin Gramatica, who had a field goal blocked and returned 59 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, missed a 46-yarder that could have given the Saints a lead with two minutes to go.

New Orleans (2-3) committed four turnovers, dropped several passes and was called for 11 penalties for 102 yards.

Bush had a 71-yard punt return for a score late in the third quarter and a 64-yarder early in the fourth.

He was the 12th player in NFL history to return two punts for TDs in a game.