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Longwell lifts Vikings over Saints in NFL
2008-10-07
NEW ORLEANDS (AFP) – Ryan Longwell kicked a 30-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining as Minnesota overcame an superb running performance by Reggie Bush to defeat New Orleans 30-27. After Saints kicker Martin Gramatica was unable to connect from 46 yards out with 2:04 remaining, the Vikings quickly made their way down the field on Monday. Benefiting from a pass interference call, Minnesota positioned Longwell for his third field goal attempt of the night. After tying his season long with a 53-yard kick in addition to making a 33-yarder, the veteran kicker calmly nailed the game-winning kick for Minnesota (2-3). Before Longwell's heroics, Bush put his mark on this one. With the Saints trailing 20-10 with 1:46 remaining in the third quarter, Bush reeled in a punt from his own 29-yard line, sidestepped a few would-be tacklers before racing down the right sideline for a 71-yard touchdown. After Gramatica booted a 53-yard field goal to tie the game at 20-20, Bush duplicated his previous feat. Bush, the second pick in the 2006 draft, reeled in Chris Kluwe's punt, made a quick step to right before cutting upfield and racing to the end zone. Bush now has three punt returns for touchdowns this season, and four in his career - which marks the most in Saints' history. Drew Brees completed 26-for-46 for 330 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions for New Orleans (2-3), which failed to move into a three-way tie for second place in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons (3-2) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2).
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