MINNEAPOLIS -- It was the Christian Ponder show in the first half, as the Minnesota Vikings' second-year quarterback picked apart the 49ers' defense with his arm . . . and his legs.Ponder made a fantastic 1-yard touchdown throw to tight end Kyle Rudolph on a bootleg under pressure from Dashon Goldson. Then, he scrambled 23 yards up the middle for a touchdown midway through the second quarter.The Vikings led the 49ers 17-3 at halftime.Ponder made the vaunted 49ers' defense look ordinary. Ponder completed 15 of 23 passes for 143 yards in the first half. The 49ers did a good job of keeping Adrian Peterson in check. He gained just 29 yards on 14 rushing attempts.Meanwhile, the 49ers' offense converted some third downs but could not finish its drives.David Akers kicked a 29-yard field goal, but his second attempt (43 yards) was blocked as Vikings lineman Letroy Guion got penetration against left guard Leonard Davis.The Vikings took over and set up kicker Blair Walsh for a 52-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.Quarterback Alex Smith tried to get the ball to Randy Moss, but overshot him high three times on incomplete passes. Moss was making his first appearance in Minnesota as a visiting player. He received a loud reaction -- mostly cheers -- when he was introduced as part of the 49ers' starting lineup. Moss got his first starting assignment with the 49ers on Sunday.Moss had two catches for 15 yards in the first half, but he could've had a lot more.Smith had Moss open for what could've been an 18-yard touchdown, but the throw was high. Moss had one high throw glance of his hands. Another time, Smith had to get rid of the ball quick to beat the blitz and Moss had yet to turn and look for the ball.Smith completed 13 of 19 pass attempts for 90 yards. Michael Crabtree had four catches for 27 yards. Frank Gore rushed for 32 yards on six attempts.49ers play time
RBs: Frank Gore 24, Bruce Miller 7, Kendall Hunter 4.
WRs: Michael Crabtree 26, Randy Moss 14, Mario Manningham 13, Kyle Williams 8.
TEs: Vernon Davis 29, Delanie Walker 16.
Extra blockers: Daniel Kilgore 1.
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