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1968 Minnesota Vikings season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Minnesota Vikings |
| year | 1968 |
| record | 8–6 |
| division_place | 1st NFL Central |
| coach | Bud Grant |
| general manager | Jim Finks |
| stadium | Metropolitan Stadium |
| playoffs | Lost [Western Conference Championship Game](1968-nfl-playoffs) |
| (at [Colts](1968-baltimore-colts-season)) 14–24 | |
| Lost NFL Playoff Bowl | |
| (vs. [Cowboys](1968-dallas-cowboys-season)) 13–17 | |
| pro bowlers | DE Carl Eller |
| C Mick Tingelhoff | |
| FB Bill Brown | |
| DT Alan Page | |
| DE Jim Marshall | |
| AP All-pros | DE Carl Eller (1st team) |
| C Mick Tingelhoff (1st team) | |
| FB Bill Brown (2nd team) | |
| S Paul Krause (2nd team) | |
| uniform | File:Vikings 1966-68.png |
| shortnavlink | Vikings seasons |
(at Colts) 14–24 Lost NFL Playoff Bowl (vs. Cowboys) 13–17 C Mick Tingelhoff FB Bill Brown DT Alan Page DE Jim Marshall | AP All-pros = DE Carl Eller (1st team) C Mick Tingelhoff (1st team) FB Bill Brown (2nd team) S Paul Krause (2nd team) The 1968 season was the Minnesota Vikings' eighth in the National Football League. In their second year under head coach Bud Grant, the Vikings won the NFL Central division title with an 8–6 record, and qualified for the postseason for the first time in franchise history. This was the first of four consecutive division titles for the Vikings. The Vikings' first trip to the playoffs saw them suffer a 24–14 loss in the Western Conference Championship Game to the eventual NFL champion and Super Bowl runner-up Baltimore Colts at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. In the Playoff Bowl two weeks later, they again lost to the Dallas Cowboys 17–13.
Offseason
1968 draft
Main article: 1968 NFL draft
| Hall of Famer |
|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | 1968 Minnesota Vikings Draft | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Draft order | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Player name | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Position | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | College | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Notes | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Selection | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 33 | 3 | 61 | 76 | 4 | 89 | 5 | 117 | 6 | 144 | 7 | 167 | 171 | 8 | 198 | 9 | 225 | 10 | 250 | 11 | 279 | 12 | 308 | 13 | 333 | 14 | 360 | 15 | 387 | 16 | 414 | 17 | 441 | 445 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ron Yary | Offensive tackle | [USC](1967-usc-trojans-football-team) | from [Giants](1968-new-york-giants-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [New Orleans Saints](1968-new-orleans-saints-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charlie West | Cornerback | [UTEP](1967-utep-miners-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Pittsburgh Steelers](1968-pittsburgh-steelers-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike McGill | Linebacker | [Notre Dame](1967-notre-dame-fighting-irish-football-team) | from [Cowboys](1968-dallas-cowboys-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Freeman | Defensive back | [Fresno State](1967-fresno-state-bulldogs-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ***Traded to the [Washington Redskins](1968-washington-redskins-season)*** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bob Goodridge | Wide receiver | [Vanderbilt](1967-vanderbilt-commodores-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oscar Reed | Wide receiver | [Colorado State](1967-colorado-state-rams-football-team) | from [Falcons](1968-atlanta-falcons-season) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenny Snow | Running back | [Georgia Tech](1967-georgia-tech-yellow-jackets-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hank Urbanowicz | Defensive tackle | [Miami (FL)](1967-miami-hurricanes-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mike Donohoe | Tight end | San Francisco | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tom Sakal | Defensive back | [Minnesota](1967-minnesota-golden-gophers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bill Haas | Wide receiver | Nebraska–Omaha | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Howie Small | Center | [Rhode Island](1967-rhode-island-rams-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dick Wherry | Wide receiver | Northern State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Don Evans | Offensive tackle | [Arkansas AM&N](1967-arkansas-am-n-golden-lions-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jim Haynie | Quarterback | West Chester | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lary Kuharich | Defensive back | [Boston College](1967-boston-college-eagles-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bob Lee | Quarterback | [Pacific](1967-pacific-tigers-football-team) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bill Hull | Guard | Tennessee Tech | from Lions |
Notes
Roster
Retired
Preseason
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Week | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 10 | [Kansas City Chiefs](1968-kansas-city-chiefs-season) (AFL) | **L** 10–13 | 0–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 46,228 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 17 | at [Denver Broncos](1968-denver-broncos-season) (AFL) | **W** 39–16 | 1–1 | University of Denver Stadium | 20,901 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 24 | [Philadelphia Eagles](1968-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 52–10 | 2–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 41,229 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1 | at [St. Louis Cardinals](1968-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season) | **L** 28–31 | 2–2 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 25,233 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 6 | [New Orleans Saints](1968-new-orleans-saints-season) | **W** 20–17 | 3–2 | State Fair Stadium (Shreveport, LA) | 23,000 |
Regular season
Schedule
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Week | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Attendance | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 14 | **[Atlanta Falcons](1968-atlanta-falcons-season)** | **W** 47–7 | 1–0 | Metropolitan Stadium | 45,563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 22 | at [Green Bay Packers](1968-green-bay-packers-season) | **W** 26–13 | 2–0 | Milwaukee County Stadium | 49,346 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 29 | **[Chicago Bears](1968-chicago-bears-season)** | **L** 17–27 | 2–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 6 | **[Detroit Lions](1968-detroit-lions-season)** | **W** 24–10 | 3–1 | Metropolitan Stadium | 44,289 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 13 | at [New Orleans Saints](1968-new-orleans-saints-season) | **L** 17–20 | 3–2 | Tulane Stadium | 71,105 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 20 | **[Dallas Cowboys](1968-dallas-cowboys-season)** | **L** 7–20 | 3–3 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 27 | at Chicago Bears | **L** 24–26 | 3–4 | Wrigley Field | 46,562 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 3 | **[Washington Redskins](1968-washington-redskins-season)** | **W** 27–14 | 4–4 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 10 | **Green Bay Packers** | **W** 14–10 | 5–4 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 17 | at Detroit Lions | **W** 13–6 | 6–4 | Tiger Stadium | 48,654 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 24 | at [Baltimore Colts](1968-baltimore-colts-season) | **L** 9–21 | 6–5 | Memorial Stadium | 60,238 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 1 | **[Los Angeles Rams](1968-los-angeles-rams-season)** | **L** 3–31 | 6–6 | Metropolitan Stadium | 47,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 8 | at [San Francisco 49ers](1968-san-francisco-49ers-season) | **W** 30–20 | 7–6 | Kezar Stadium | 29,049 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 15 | at [Philadelphia Eagles](1968-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 24–17 | 8–6 | Franklin Field | 54,530 |
- Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 11: at Baltimore Colts
First quarter
- BAL – Terry Cole 1-yard rush (Lou Michaels kick). Colts 7–0 Second quarter
- BAL – Willie Richardson 39-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Lou Michaels kick). Colts 14–0
- BAL – Tom Mitchell 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Lou Michaels kick). Colts 21–0
- MIN – Fred Cox 43-yard field goal. Colts 21–3 Third quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 36-yard field goal. Colts 21–6 Fourth quarter
- MIN – Fred Cox 31-yard field goal. Colts 21–9 Top passers
- BAL – Earl Morrall – 17/24, 259 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
- MIN – Gary Cuozzo – 12/18, 141 yards Top rushers
- BAL – Terry Cole – 20 rushes, 71 yards, TD
- MIN – Clinton Jones – 10 rushes, 53 yards Top receivers
- BAL – Willie Richardson – 6 receptions, 150 yards, TD
- MIN – John Beasley – 6 receptions, 79 yards This was the last occasion the Colts hosted the Vikings in the regular season until 2000, seventeen years after they had relocated to Indianapolis. The intervening gap of 31 seasons constitutes the second-longest gap without one team visiting another in NFL history.
Standings
Playoffs
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Round | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Date | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Result | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Record | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Venue | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Conference | Playoff Bowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 22 | at [Baltimore Colts](1968-baltimore-colts-season) | **L** 14–24 | 0–1 | Memorial Stadium | 60,238 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 5 | [Dallas Cowboys](1968-dallas-cowboys-season) | **L** 13–17 | 0–2 | Miami Orange Bowl | 22,961 |
Conference Playoff: at Baltimore Colts
First quarter
- No scoring plays. Second quarter
- BAL – Tom Mitchell 3-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Lou Michaels kick). Colts 7–0 Third quarter
- BAL – John Mackey 49-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Lou Michaels kick). Colts 14–0
- BAL – Mike Curtis 60-yard defensive fumble return (Lou Michaels kick). Colts 21–0 Fourth quarter
- MIN – Billy Martin 1-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Colts 21–7
- BAL – Lou Michaels 33-yard field goal. Colts 24–7
- MIN – Bill Brown 7-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Fred Cox kick). Colts 24–14
- BAL – Earl Morrall – 13/22, 280 yards, 2 TD, INT
- MIN – Joe Kapp – 26/44, 287 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
- BAL – Tom Matte – 14 rushes, 31 yards
- MIN – Joe Kapp – 10 rushes, 52 yards Top receivers
- BAL – Willie Richardson – 6 receptions, 148 yards
- MIN – Gene Washington – 5 receptions, 95 yards Four weeks after their last regular-season visit to the Colts for 32 years, the Vikings' first ever playoff appearance saw them return to play the Colts in their only postseason meeting.
Statistics
Team leaders
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Player(s) | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Joe Kapp | 1,695 | |||||||||
| Passing touchdowns | Joe Kapp | 10 | |||||||||
| Rushing yards | Bill Brown | 805 | |||||||||
| Rushing touchdowns | Bill Brown | 11 | |||||||||
| Receiving yards | Gene Washington | 756 | |||||||||
| Receiving touchdowns | Gene Washington | 6 | |||||||||
| Points | Fred Cox | 88 | |||||||||
| Kickoff return yards | Charlie West | 576 | |||||||||
| Punt return yards | Charlie West | 201 | |||||||||
| Interceptions | Paul Krause | 7 |
League rankings
| Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Category | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Total yards | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | Yards per game | Minnesota Vikings | year=1968 | border=2}}" | NFL rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (out of 16) | Total offense | 3,606 | 257.6 | 14th | Total defense | 3,758 | 268.4 | 5th | |||||||
| Passing offense | 1,685 | 120.4 | 15th | ||||||||||||
| Rushing offense | 1,921 | 137.2 | 6th | ||||||||||||
| Passing defense | 1,855 | 132.5 | 3rd | ||||||||||||
| Rushing defense | 1,903 | 135.9 | 11th |
Notes
References
References
- "1968 Minnesota Vikings (NFL) - Pro Football Archives".
- Urena, Ivan. (2014). "Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Historical Guide from 1933 to the Present". [[McFarland & Company]].
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