Not many people were ready to fully lean in last weekend despite how dominant the Vikings looked in their season opener.

Were the Vikings really that good or were the New York Giants really that bad?

A much bigger test existed for the Vikings this weekend with the San Francisco 49ers coming to town.

The performance the Vikings put together in a 23-17 win over the 49ers on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium proved that they are for real.

In the matchup, the Vikings looked like the better team from top to bottom, getting contributions for offense, defense, and special teams to pull off the upset. Or maybe it wasn’t an upset at all with how well the Vikings have looked so far.

In need of a spark early on, the Vikings got a blocked punt from veteran fullback C.J. Ham that gifted the offense good field position. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they couldn’t find the end zone and had to settle for a 22-yard field goal from rookie kicker Will Reichard to make it 3-0.

On the next possession, the 49ers put together a sustained drive, going the length of the field before facing a fourth down near the goal line. The defense for the Vikings came up with a big stop as edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel deflected a ball near the line of scrimmage before veteran safety Harrison Smith finished the play with a pass breakup.

A few plays later, Darnold dropped back to pass in the shadow of his own goal post, stepped up into the pocket, and launched the ball into the heavens. It dropped into the outstretched arms of Jefferson, who hauled it in with ease, then weaved his way through the open field for a 97-yard touchdown to stretched the lead to 10-0.

Though it looked like the Vikings might be about to put the game away, a costly interception by Darnold on the next drive kept things interesting, and the 49ers made them pay when quarterback Brock Purdy found tight end George Kittle for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 10-7.

Credit the Vikings for staying aggressive at that point. Instead of putting a leash on Darnold after his interception, head coach Kevin O’Connell trusted him to get some points before halftime, and Reichard nailed a 39-yard field goal as time expired to make it 13-7.

After an interception by safety Josh Metellus shortly after halftime, the Vikings to complete control on the very next play as Darnold found receiver Jalen Nailor wide open in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown that made it 20-7.

There was a chance for the Vikings to put the game away once again following another interception near midfield. This time the veteran running back Aaron Jones coughed the ball up at the 1-yard — the play after Jefferson left the game with a quad injury — to keep the game without reach.

Naturally, the 49ers responded with a big drive to cut the deficit to 20-14, putting the ball in Darnold’s hands with a chance to make a statement.

What followed was an gutsy drive from Darnold — without Jefferson, without fellow receiver Jordan Addison, and without star tight end T.J. Hockenson — that culminated with a big field goal from Reichard to make it 23-14.

Though the 49ers got a field goal of their own to cut the deficit to 23-17, tight end Nick Muse recovered an onside kick for the Vikings, and Darnold kneeled out the clock to put the finishing touches on a very impressive win.

Related Articles

The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 2: Last-minute moves

Vikings need Jalen Nailor to step up with Jordan Addison being ruled out

How four months at a military academy made Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw

49ers at Vikings: What to know ahead of Week 2 matchup

49ers at Vikings picks: Week 2 matchup brings early test to Minnesota, and the vibe is bleak

OF NOTE

James Lukaszewski

The Midwest District of the Public Relations Society of America announced it has named James Lukaszewski as a recipient of its Platinum Award. Lukaszewski, known as America’s Crisis Guru, began his PR career in 1974 as a deputy press secretary for Minnesota Gov. Wendell Anderson. He was nominated by the leadership of the PRSA Minnesota chapter.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

U.S. Bancorp, Minneapolis, announced that Shailesh Kotwal, vice chair of Payment Services, intends to retire from the company in the first half of 2025. … Baird, an employee-owned wealth management, investment banking and private equity firm, announced the addition of Brad L. Spencer as vice president and financial adviser to its wealth management office in Minnetonka. Spencer comes from RBC Capital Markets, where he managed over $206 million in assets. … Nepsis, a Minneapolis-based national financial adviser and investment management firm, announced the appointment of Kelly Nanasy as vice president of accounting and advisory services. Nanasy’s résumé includes CFO at ThreeBridge Solutions and Wausau Financial Systems and vice president of finance at Deluxe Corp.

HEALTH CARE

UCare, a Minneapolis-based health insurer, announced that Health Equity Officer Pleasant Radford Jr. was selected by Managed Healthcare Executive magazine as one of 14 emerging leaders in managed care. In addition to his role at UCare, he hosts the “Heart of Equity” podcast, where he interviews Black health care professionals across the Midwest region and nationally to talk about health equity work for Black Americans. … The Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced it has elected UCare President and CEO Hilary Marden-Resnik chair of the association’s board of directors. Marden-Resnik succeeds Dana Erickson, president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

LAW

Elizabeth Sorenson Brotten has been elected president of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association. Sorenson Brotten has previously chaired the association’s Products Liability committee, and co-founded its Women in the Law Committee. Sorenson Brotten is a Minneapolis-based partner at Foley Mansfield, which announced the appointment.  … Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced the return of attorney Alexander Rosenstein as an officer in its Corporate, Corporate Governance, Finance & Securities, Life Sciences and Public Companies & Capital Markets groups. Prior to rejoining Fredrikson, Rosenstein was general counsel and corporate secretary of Cardiovascular Systems, until its acquisition by Abbott Laboratories in 2023. … Zachary S. McFarland has been appointed to the Hennepin County Bar Association board of directors for a three-year term. McFarland is an attorney at Fredrikson, which made the announcement.

MEDIA

Audacy’s 830 WCCO (WCCO-AM), a Minneapolis-based radio station, announced it is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

BioMADE, a developer of biological-based commercial and industrial products sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, announced Jill Zullo as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Zullo previously was with Cargill, where she most recently served as interim president and CEO of its NatureWorks joint venture. BioMADE is based jointly in St. Paul and Emeryville, Calif.

OPENINGS

Perspire Sauna Studio, a franchised provider of retail infrared sauna treatments, announced the opening of a location at 7808 Main St., Maple Grove. The franchisee is Robin Grierson.

ORGANIZATIONS

The Minneapolis Regional Chamber announced the hiring of Mike Logan as interim president for one year beginning Oct. 1. Logan is a past president at Twin Cities in Motion and has held executive leadership roles at Comcast and Target. He succeeds Interim President John Stanoch, who was appointed in June following the resignation of Jonathan Weinhagen. … The Minnesota Marijuana Association announced Fatima Moore as executive director. The association advocates for and supports businesses and workers who are involved in Minnesota’s marijuana industry. … Medical Alley, a trade group for Minnesota medical technology companies, announced Peder Hatling as interim director of Medical Alley Starts, a venture platform to accelerate the creation and growth of health care startups. Hatling most recently was a partner and head of digital health investment banking at pH Partners, Austin, Texas.

Related Articles

Business People: Former U.S. attorney and NFL counsel B. Todd Jones rejoins Robins Kaplan

Black and Latina-owned businesses receive $2M in funding from St. Paul nonprofit

Business People: Andersen names George Bandy to lead sustainability efforts

Business People: Vikings name Morgan Kennedy vice president of events and special projects

Business People: TKDA announces new leadership roles

EMAIL ITEMS to businessnews@pioneerpress.com.

Even diehard Gophers football fans are more likely to know the man who mentored the U safety who had two interceptions in Saturday’s 27-0 win over Nevada than the playmaker himself.

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James helped coach Minnesota redshirt freshman safety Kerry Brown as a youth player in south Florida.

“1 of my Pop Warner Kids…” James posted in a comment on a Gophers Instagram post of Brown on Saturday.

Brown became more of a household name with two first-half interceptions that led to 10 points in the U’s shutout win in their final nonconference game this season at Huntington Bank Stadium.

“I knew him since I was a little kid,” Brown said of James postgame. “Me being able to learn from him and him teaching me to be a bigger man today helps a lot.”

James hails from Immokalee, Fla., and went on to rush for 12,246 yards and 80 touchdowns in 11 seasons in the NFL, while Brown attended nearby Naples High School and was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class.

Brown played only five defensive snaps during the 2023 regular season, but was in for 60 plays in the season-ending Quick Lane Bowl last December. He came off the bench Saturday, but started against Rhode Island and has played 86 snaps through three games this fall. None of the snaps were bigger than the two that led to interceptions Saturday.

Brown’s first interception was a diving grab and the second included a 17-yard return. Brown thanked his defensive line for providing pressure: Jah Joyner had a quarterback hit on the first pick, and Antony Smith pressured on the second one.

Even head coach P.J. Fleck said Brown, who is listed at 5-feet-10, 190 pounds, wouldn’t be considered a Big Ten player if spotted on the street.

“Kerry Brown is an electric player,” Fleck said. “He is not the biggest guy. … But he practices so hard. He is an unbelievable person.”

The Gophers have a stunning seven interceptions through three games, which is second-best in the nation so far this season. Cal has nine.

All of the U’s picks have come from defensive backs. Brown leads with two, while it’s one apiece for Jack Henderson, Ethan Robinson, Justin Walley, Aidan Gousby and Koi Perich.

Coming into the season, the Gophers safeties were asked to step up with the U’s all-time leader in interceptions, Tyler Nubin, now with the New York Giants. Nubin had a career 13 interceptions, including two in the 2023 season opener against Nebraska.

Brown is the first Gophers player to have two picks in a game since Nubin and is the first Gophers freshman to have two INTs in a game since at least 1990.

“You know why Antoine Winfield Jr. is as good as he is?” Fleck asked. “Because he smiles all the time. He loves playing the game of football. You know why Tyler Nubin is so good? He loves playing the game and he smiles all the time. And they have short goldfish memories. Kerry Brown is a young player, but he’s the exact same way.”

With Saturday’s performance, Brown is becoming a known member of the Gophers football team, and his famous mentor has helped put him on the map.

Related Articles

Gophers football: Big injury concern looms going into Iowa rivalry game

Stifling Gophers’ defense helps carry 27-0 win over Nevada

With Gophers’ returner Quentin Redding out for year, Koi Perich steps in

Gophers football vs. Nevada: Keys to game, how to watch, who has the edge

How Gophers revamped offense for better run-pass balance this season