Vikings WR Berrian reels in 99-yard touchdown

Dec 1, 2008 - 6:19 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Minnesota Vikings wideout Bernard Berrian reeled in the 99-yard touchdown reception during Sunday's 34-14 victory over the Chicago Bears in the second quarter.

Berrian's reception is the 11th touchdown scored on a 99-yard pass in NFL history.

After Minnesota stopped Chicago on four plays at its own 1-yard line, quarterback Gus Frerotte found Berrian streaking down the left side of the field for a 99-yard scoring strike to give the Vikings a 10-7 lead.

"It's just a straight go ball," Berrian said. "I've been lobbying for that play since the beginning of the season. The defense made a great stand down there to get us the ball back. They called the play and dialed it up, and Gus let it fly."

"It's amazing what a shift in momentum can do," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "We were in pretty good shape, had a big takeaway there, and a big run to get down to first and goal. We have to get the ball in from there with four tries."

The Bears had driven 45 yards to the Vikings' 1-yard line early in the second quarter. On first down, Kyle Orton passed incomplete to tight end Greg Olsen. Chicago then ran three straight times into the heart of the Minnesota line and Pro Bowl tackles Kevin and Pat Williams.

"I felt like we needed a touchdown in that situation," Smith said. "We have to be able to get it in from there. If you don't get it in from there, you probably don't deserve to win."

Each attempt was stuffed for no gain as Chicago turned the ball over on downs. On the next play, with the Bears playing for a run, Frerotte hit a wide-open Berrian who outraced former teammate Charles Tillman for the longest play from scrimmage in Vikings history - surpassing an 89-yarder from Fran Tarkenton to Charley Ferguson against the Bears on November 11, 1962.

"It was actually a lucky play," Berrian said. "It's the luckiest touchdown I've ever had. (Tillman) went and bit on (tight end Visanthe Shiancoe) and tried to make a play on Visanthe. Gus said he looked to one side and came back to the other side and was actually surprised how open I was."