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Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold Connects With WR Justin Jefferson for 97-Yard TD

Former USC Trojan standout Sam Darnold has been on fire to start the 2024 NFL season. In a highly contested matchup against the San Francisco 49ers Darnold connected on a historic throw.

Kyron Samuels

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
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The Minnesota Vikings are hosting the defending NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers in today's contest. Both teams are coming off of convincing wins to begin the 2024 season. The Vikings throttled the New York Giants and the 49ers dominated the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

To the surprise of many, quarterback Sam Darnold is excelling in the quarterback duties for the Vikings this season. The former USC Trojan and first-round draft pick is filling in for this year's Minnesota first-round draft pick in rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy. 

Darnold completed 19 of 24 for 208 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants and has picked up where he left off against the vaunted 49ers defense. Early in the second quarter, Darnold connected on a 97-yard touchdown pass to All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. 

The beautiful deep ball of the middle of the field showcased Darnold’s arm talent and Jefferson did the rest making defenders miss for the score. The play is the second-longest touchdown in Minnesota Vikings history. The Vikings are outperforming expectations so far and Darnold is a big reason why.

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Kyron Samuels

KYRON SAMUELS

Kyron Samuels is a former college and professional football player now a writer, analyst, & digital host. Kyron is a writer for USC Trojans on SI and contributes to Oregon Ducks on SI. A graduate and letterman at Jacksonville State University, Samuels was a three-year starter, two-time all-conference, and won three consecutive conference titles. After a four-year professional stint between the AFL & XFL, Samuels retired from football. In 2022, Samuels was inducted into the Fairhope Athletic Hall of Fame. Post-playing career, Samuels has become a credentialed sports media member covering the NFL, UFL, USFL, & college football. The NFL Combine, Reese’s Senior Bowl, & East-West Shrine Bowl are amongst the events Kyron has covered. As a guest and host, Samuels has been featured on ESPNRadio, FoxSportsRadio, & IHeartRadio. Outside of sports media, Samuels works as a scouting consultant and has experience coaching at the collegiate level.

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