Only 34,579 Watch Bucs Lose to Minnesota, 23-10

The crowds are dwindling and the losses are mounting at Tampa Stadium.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost for the 40th time in 50 games Sunday before a crowd of 34,579 in 72,000-seat Tampa Stadium. The Buccaneers, 2-14, 6-10, 2-14 in their last three seasons, are now 0-2 this year after a 23-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Linebacker Chris Doleman returned a first-quarter interception 59 yards for a touchdown and Chuck Nelson kicked three field goals to key the Viking victory.

“The Buccaneers have the same problem we have--an inconsistent offense,” Minnesota quarterback Tommy Kramer said. “A couple of big plays our defense made hurt them. It seemed like every time they got a decent drive going, something adverse happened to them.”

Doleman, the fourth player selected in the 1985 draft, picked off a deflected Steve DeBerg pass on Tampa Bay’s third play for a quick 7-0 lead.

A fumble on the next play set up a 31-yard field goal by Nelson.

Kramer threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Mike Mularkey in the second period for a 17-3 lead and Nelson added fourth-quarter field goals of 35 and 27 yards.

Minnesota’s defense, which allowed 224 rushing yards in a season-opening 13-10 loss to Detroit, limited the Buccaneers to 83 yards in 30 attempts.

DeBerg, who completed a club-record 15 straight passes after Doleman’s interception, threw a one-yard scoring pass to Jimmie Giles, and Donald Igwebuike kicked a 37-yard field goal for the Buccaneers.

“I’ll never get used to losing,” said Tampa Bay tackle Marvin Powell, obtained in the off-season from the New York Jets. “If we don’t win, the Coach (Leeman Bennett) will be gone.”

One week after throwing a club-record seven interceptions against San Francisco, DeBerg was picked off twice while completing 18 of 28 passes for 181 yards.

“We’re frustrated,” DeBerg said. “We played better than last week but not good enough to win. Our young talent will improve.”