Minnesota Slips Past Washington

Third-string quarterback Rich Gannon directed an 81-yard drive that was capped by Allen Rice’s four-yard touchdown run with 8:12 to play Monday night, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 24-13 exhibition victory over the Washington Redskins.

Gannon, who has completed only nine regular-season passes in his two National Football League seasons, completed four of seven for 72 yards and scrambled for 11 yards on the winning drive. During the scramble, he looked fully recovered from a knee injury that required offseason surgery.

The Vikings, 2-0 in exhibitions, added a one-yard run by Rick Bayless.

Minnesota won despite committing five turnovers--including two interceptions each by No. 1 quarterback Wade Wilson and No. 2 Tommy Kramer--and seven penalties.

Washington (2-1) had taken a 13-10 lead on a 24-yard field goal by former University of Minnesota kicking star Chip Lohmiller with 11:10 left.

Jamie Morris, starting in place of the injured Gerald Riggs, carried the Redskins to a 10-0 first-quarter lead, rushing nine times for 64 yards. He had an 11-yard touchdown run and set up a 24-yard Lohmiller kick.

Kramer, 13 of 23 for 245 yards, led the Vikings to 10 second-quarter points, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to Hassan Jones. Chuck Nelson, who missed 31- and 39-yard field goals, hit a 20-yarder for a 10-10 halftime tie.