15. 2013 CAROLINA PANTHERS at. 2. 1970 MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2. 1970 MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Record: 12-2
Pythag: 12-2
Off: 3rd
Def: 1st
1st NFC Central
Lost Div Rnd 49ers 17-14
HC Bud Grant, OC Jerry Burns DC: Bob Hollway
Metropolitan Stadium: 40 degrees
Jim Morse
Offense
QB Gary Cuozzo (29 UVA)
RB Dave Osborn (27 N Dakota)
FB Bill Brown (32 Illinois)
WR Bob Grim (25 Ore St)
WR Gene Washington (26 Mich St)
TE John Beasley (25 Cal)
LT Grady Alderman (32 Detroit Mercy)
LG Jim Vellone (26 USC)
C Mick Tingelhoff (30 Nebraska)
RG Milt Sunde (28 Minnesota)
RT Ron Yary (24 USC)
Defense
LDE Carl Eller (28 Minnesota) All Pro
LDT Gary Larsen (30 Concordia-Moorhead)
RDT Alan Page (25 N Dame) All Pro
RDE Jim Marshall (33 Ohio St)
LLB Roy Winston (30 LSU)
MLB Lonnie Warwick (28 Tenn Tech)
RLB Wally Hilgenberg (28 Iowa)
LCB Bobby Bryant (26 S Carolina)
RCB Ed Sharockman (31 Pitt)
SS Karl Kassulke (29 Drake)
FS Paul Krause (28 Iowa)
K Fred Cox (32 Pitt)
P Tom McNeill (28 SFA)
KR Clint Jones (25 Mich St)
PR Charlie West (24 UTEP)
One more game left in Region 3 - here's the 2nd seed in the Region, the 30th overall seed in the entire tournament, the 1970 Vikings, Purple People Eaters have the best defense in football led by the 2 All Pros, 25 year old Alan Page and 28 year old Carl Eller. 30 year old Gary Larsen and 33 year old Jim Marshall round out the front four - 10 years before, Marshall was a rookie starting with the '60 Browns team and if seeding holds - we will see Marshall vs. Marshall in round 2. The Viking offense was 3rd in the NFL, really relying on the run game - the QB is 29 year old Gary Cuozzo, there aren't many starters in the tournament with more picks than scores, but Cuozzo had 10 interceptions, 7 TDs.
15. 2013 CAROLINA PANTHERS
Record: 12-4
Pythag: 12-4
Off: 18th
Def: 2nd
1st NFC South
Lost Div Rnd 49ers 23-10
HC Ron Rivera, OC Mike Shula, DC Sean McDermott
Offense
QB Cam Newton (24 Auburn)
RB Mike Tolbert (28 C Carolina) All Pro
RB DeAngelo Williams (30 Memphis)
WR Brandon LaFell (27 LSU)
WR Steve Smith (34 Utah)
TE Greg Olsen (28 Miami)
LT Jordan Gross (33 Utah)
LG Travelle Wharton (32 S Carolina)
C Ryan Kalil (28 USC) All Pro
RG Nate Chandler (24 UCLA)
RT Byron Bell (24 N Mexico)
Defense
LDE Charles Johnson (27 UGA)
LDT Colin Cole (33 Iowa)
RDT Star Lotulelei (24-R Utah)
RDE Greg Hardy (25 Ole Miss)
LLB Thomas Davis (30 UGA)
MLB Luke Kuechly (22 B College) All Pro
RLB Chase Blackburn (30 Akron)
LCB Captain Munnerlyn (25 S Carolina)
RCB Melvin White (23-R Louisiana)
SS Quintin Mikell (33 Boise)
FS Mike Mitchell (26 Ohio)
K Graham Gano (26 Florida St)
P Brad Nortman (24 Wisc)
KR/PR Ted Ginn (28 Ohio St)
Like the Vikes, the Panthers were first round playoff losers; they also have a top 3 defense, 2nd in the NFL - but the offense is not particularly good and that makes them a 15th seed in the region and indicates we might get a low scoring game. Cam Newton is 24 with 30 total TDs and 13 scores; two All Pros, the 28 year old FB Mike Tolbert and the 28 year old C Ryan Kalil. Luke Kuechly is a 22 All Pro on defense, 25 year old Greg Hardy had 15 sacks.
Last Region 3 game - winner to face the 1960 Browns in Rnd 2 - let's head to Minnesota for the kick.
First Qtr
Panthers get the ball first at their own 22. 40 degrees here in Bloomington, we've seen passing games struggle a little when the temperature gets near freezing.
1/10 - DeAngelo Williams goes for 11 in the game's first carry.
1/10 - Cam Newton's first pass is Intercepted by Paul Krause - Krause picks Newton and takes is to the Panther 20 yard line! Minnesota picks Newton on his first pass and the Vikes are in business.
1/10 - Bill Brown carries to the Panther 14 - and he is Rocked by Luke Kuechly! Fumble! The Panthers recover - just 3 plays in and there have been two turnovers. Carolina moves back 5 on a false start and so have 1st and 15 at their own 9.
1/15 - Newton over the middle to his TE Greg Olsen, 13 yards.
2/2 - Newton crosing route to Brandon LaFell, 18 yards all the way out to the 40.
That's it - the next 3 plays net 5 yards. After the punt, Vikes at their own 26.
They go 3 and out. Panthers to start at their own 30.
1/10 - Williams for 14.
1/10 - Mike Tolbert for 2.
2/8 - Williams again for 7, Panthers inches from another first.
3/1 - Newton picks it up. Panthers at the Viking 44.
1/10 - Tolbert for 11 - Nothing but runs on the drive and the Panthers are at the Viking 33.
The next 3 plays net a yard, Alan Page gets a sack - Graham Gano hits a 49 yard FG and the Vikes will take over at their own 29, 2:44 left in the 1st, leading 3-0.
1/10 - Dave Osborn for 3.
2/7 - Osborn for 1.
3/6 - Gary Cuozzo's first completion is to Gene Washington for 14 yards and the Vikes near midfield.
The next two plays lose a yard as the quarter ends.
2nd Qtr
Turnovers on 2 of the first 3 plays put the offenses in a hole, but the Panthers work their way to a long FG and lead 3-0. Vikes have 3rd and 11 at their own 46.
They don't pick it up. Punt. Panthers at their own 20.
1/10 - Williams is stuffed.
2/10 - Jonathan Stewart gets 1.
3/9 - Newton finds Steve Smith - 14 yards and a first down.
1/10 - Tolbert gets 1.
2/9 - Williams is stacked up
3/9 - Carl Eller blasts Newton -- It's a Strip Sack -- Vikes recover at the Panther 27.
1/10 - Osborn for 3
2/7 - Charles Johnson had 11 sacks in 2013 and gets 1 here, big loss, Vikes have third and very long.
3/18 - Cuozzo finds John Henderson - it's a big strike- 24 yards, all the way to the 11.
1/10 - Dave Osborn goes off the right tackle - great block by Ron Yary - and Osborn will head to the end zone -- TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - 11 yard run for Osborn and Minneosta takes the lead 7-3. Panthers will get the ball at the 30, 8:10 left in the half.
3 and out.
Vikes at the 32 - they pick up a first down on 3 short runs - they get 3 more short runs, not attempting a pass - but will punt from their own 43. Panthers will take over at their own 39, 2:49 left, Vikes up 7-3.
1/10 - DeAngelo Williams goes for 16 yards across midfield.
That's it - the next 3 plays net 5 yards. the Panthers punt. Vikes start at their own 12. 1:34 left.
The Vikes run 2 plays - a Greg Hardy sack -- and a Mike Mitchell interception - Mitchell picks off Cuozzo and with a 1:09 left, the Panthers take over at the Minnesota 20.
3 plays later, they are at the 12. 4th and 2.
Ron Rivera decides to kick - Gano hits it - and it's 7-6.
The Panthers had the 2nd best defense in '13, they've forced two turnovers and have a couple of sacks and it is keeping them in the game.
Vikes start at their own 36. 43 seconds left.
1/10 - Osborn goes for 11 - Vikes call timeout near midfield.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Brown is stacked up at the line.
3/10 - Cuozzo to pass - and he is leveled by Greg Hardy -- Strip Sack -- Fumble and the Panthers will take over! Panthers regain possession at the Viking 39 line, 14 seconds left in the half! The Panthers have the ball back with 14 seconds left in the half.
Newton throws 1 incomplete pass and then Gano hits a 56 yard FG at the gun - Graham Gano hits 2 FG in the last minute of the half including a 56 yard bomb - and the Panthers have taken the lead 9-7
Third Quarter
2 fumble recoveries, a pick, 3 sacks and a 56 yard FG give Carolina the halftime 9-7 lead. Are we about to see a 15/2 upset???
Clint Jones takes the kick back for Minnesota to the 45, nice return.
1/10 - Brown for 3
2/7 - Osborn for 8 and a first down
1/10 - Clint Jones carries, loses 1
2/11 - Can't really blame Bud Grant for staying on the ground here after what happened at the end of the half - Osborn gets a dozen, it's another first down at the Carolina 33.
1/10 - Jones gets 1.
2/9 - Bill Brown for a dozen yards -- Vikes now at the 20, nothing but running plays on the drive.
1/10 - Osborn for 6.
2/4 - Brown loses a yard.
3/5 - Cuozzo to pass - to the end zone -- Gene Washington - TOUCHDOWN VIKINGS - on the only pass of the drive Gary Cuozzo finds Gene Washington in the end zone and Minnesota regains the lead 14-9.
Panthers at the 24. 9:13.
1/10 - Tolbert loses 4, man Alan Page is quick off the ball.
2/14 - Newton finds Jonathan Stewart - 16 yards and the first down.
3 plays gain 7 yards - it's a punt.
Vikes at their own 14. Up 14-9.
1/10 - Osborn for 1
2/9 - Cuozzo hits Henderson for 7.
3/2 - Oscar Reed busts a 10 yarder.
But that's it - the next 3 plays net 5 yards - Panthers at their own 30, 1:41 left in the third, down 5.
1/10 Incomplete
2/10 - Jonathan Stewart busts one - 30 yards all the way to the Viking 40.
Two runs gain 2 yards as the quarter ends.
4th Qtr
Vikes almost entirely on the ground in the third quarter looking to avoid sacks/turnovers and it works, they go up 14-9. Panthers have 3rd and 8 at the Viking 38.
3/8 - It's a planned run for Newton - that fools the Viking defense, it's a dozen yards and a big first down - big call by Rivera and the Panthers have a first down at the Minnesota 26.
1/10 - Tolbert for 3.
2/7 - Stewart for 1.
3/6 - Rivera calls another 3rd down run - its an end around for Ted Ginn - and he picks up 13 big yards - the Panthers drive continues -- Carolina is at the Minnesota 9 yard line. 1st and goal. Newton hits Steve Smith for what appears to be the go ahead score -- but it comes back on a big holding call.
1/goal/19 - Williams gets 5
2/goal - Stewart gets 1
3/goal - It looks like the drive ends -- but a defensive holding call is an automatic first down for the Panthers at the 8 yard line.
1/goal - Williams loses 1
2/goal - Williams loses another yard. The Viking front four standing up. Big play, 3rd and goal at the 10.
3/goal - Alan Page busts through the line and levels Newton - huge sack - Gano hits a 35 yard FG, and with 8:26 left, the Vikes will take over at their own 21, 8:26 left, holding onto the 2 point lead.
3 and out.
Big stop by the Panthers. They get the ball back at their own 36 yard line. 6:43 left. Vikings 14 Panthers 12, can Newton drive down against the best defense from 1970.
1/10-Williams gets 1.
2/9 - Stewart gets 2.
3/7 - Newton finds Steve Smith who stretches for the first down - the Panthers at the 47 yard line, 4:48 to go - remember, Gano hit a 56 yard FG - the Panthers don't need many more first downs to reach FG range.
1/10 - Tolbert loses 4, that front four so tough.
2/14 - Incomplete
3/14 - Oh - just a backbreaker - a backbreaker, Cam Newton is Intercepted by Bobby Bryant - Newton's second INT of the day - and the Vikes are at the Panther 49 yard line, up 2, 3:27 left and you have to think Bud Grant is about to try to ice this game on the ground.
1/10 - Osborn for a dozen yards - Vikes now at the Panther 37.
The next 3 plays, all runs, lose 2 yards, Grant not risking the pass. Panther ball at their own 19, 1:44 left, they have just 1 timeout remaining. 14-12 Vikings.
1/10 - Newton to LaFell for 6.
2/4 - Williams draw gets right to the sticks.
3/1 - Newton sneak. Panthers at their own 31. 1:06 left.
1/10 - Incomplete
2/10 - Incomplete
3/10 - Newton finds Steve Smith - 20 yards over the middle! Panthers at the Viking 49 - they use their last timeout - 43 seconds left. 14-12.
1/10 - Newton to Stewart out of the backfield for 6, out of bounds.
2/4 - Incomplete.
3/4 - Newton - Newton - Newton planned run - Newton is going to be -- just short - at the Viking 40 yard line, stretching to the sideline, getting out of bounds with just 11 seconds left.
Graham Gano coming out. He hit a 56 yarder - this would be 57.
This is it. Graham Gano lining up for a game winning 57 yard FG attempt. Do the 15th seeds come into Minnesota and knock the Vikings out of the tournament?
Snap. Kick......
.....
IT BOUNCES OFF THE CROSSBAR -- NO GOOD --
And that's it - one kneeldown for Cuozzo and the game is over.
Final: Vikings 14 Panthers 12
Graham Gano hit 4 FGs -- but he needed 5 and the Vikings hold on. Cuozzo completes 5 passes and wins. Heck of a defensive battle to end region 3, round 1
Cuozzo: 5 for 9, 70 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Newton: 12 for 12, 118 yds, 0TD/2 INT
Osborn: 16 carries, 83 yds 1 TD
Williams: 14 carries, 69 yds
Washington: 3 catches, 39 yds, 1 TD
Smith: 5 catches, 57 yds
Page: 2 sacks
Gano: 4 FGs
Player of the Game: Alan Page
That wraps Region 3, Round 1. When we come back -
1996 Packers v. 1987 Browns
1999 Rams v. 2019 Saints
1978 Cowboys v. 1954 Lions
1970 Vikings v. 1960 Browns
Region 3, Round 1 MVP - Bobby Mitchell
