Minnesota Holds off Detroit for 24-17 Win

Minnesota defensive end Keith Millard was tired, and the thought of 15 more minutes of football wasn’t a pleasant one.

So he and the rest of the Vikings’ defense decided to end Detriot’s hopes for a tie, and overtime, for a 24-17 win Sunday.

“They had us in a bind,” said Millard, an All-Pro who had an interception and three sacks to help the Vikings improve to 3-2. “Our offense was trying to run out the clock but then we fumbled and the defense had to go right back on the field.

“We looked at each other and said: ‘If they score, we’re going into overtime. If we’re tired now, what will we be then? Let’s do the job and go home.’ ”

D.J. Dozier’s fumble had given Detroit the ball at Minnesota’s 41-yard line with 2:23 remaining. Quarterback Bob Gagliano scrambled for five yards, but was then sacked Gagliano three straight times. On fourth down, Al Noga’s sack forced Gagliano to fumble.

The Vikings shut down Detroit’s run-and-shoot offense. Mike Merriweather and Ike Holt returned interceptions for touchdowns within a 5:19 span in the second quarter.

“The defense dominated the game,” Viking Coach Jerry Burns said. “The two interceptions for touchdowns, the sacks. And Millard played like a demon. They couldn’t stop him.”

But Minnesota couldn’t contain Barry Sanders, the Lions’ rookie running back who won the Heisman Trophy last year. He rushed 99 yards in 23 carries. Several of his runs were called back by some of Detroit’s 13 penalties for 106 yards.

“Barry Sanders proved to everyone that he is for real,” said Coach Wayne Fontes, whose Lions fell to 0-5. “I think he grew up a little bit today.”

Tommy Kramer, starting in place of injured Viking quarterback Wade Wilson, completed 11 of 18 passes for 146 yards, including a two-yard touchdown pass to third-string tight end Brent Novoselsky late in the first half.