Vikings all-time tournament: Foreman propels 1976 team to second round

Chuck Foreman logged 163 total yards and a touchdown to help the 1976 Minnesota Vikings to a 20-17 victory over 2000.

Foreman caught a nine-yard pass from quarterback Fran Tarkenton to open the scoring in the first quarter.

After the ’00 Vikings tied it at seven on Robert Smith’s 10-yard scamper for a touchdown, receiver Sammy White gave ’76 Minnesota the lead for good on a three-yard grab.

But ’00 Minnesota had a chance to steal the victory away in the closing minutes.

With the ’76 Vikings holding onto a 20-17 lead late in the fourth quarter, the ’00 Vikings chugged past midfield. On third-and-2 from the 44-yard line, quarterback Daunte Culpepper’s pass was intercepted by linebacker Matt Blair, who returned it to the 41-yard line to secure the win for the ’76 team.

Tarkenton outdueled Culpepper by throwing for 155 yards and two touchdowns. The turnover bug bit Culpepper, who threw two interceptions – one to linebacker Jeff Siemon in the first quarter and the game-clincher to Blair.

Foreman led the ’76 Vikings in both rushing yards (113) and receiving yards (50).

The seventh-seeded ’76 squad advances to play No. 1969 in the second round.

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