The Vikings' 20-12 preseason victory over the Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium was interrupted for slightly more than an hour Saturday night because of visible lightning nearby.
The game stopped around 8:10 p.m. and resumed at 9:15. There was no halftime, only a four-minute break between the second and third quarters.
The score was tied at 6-6 with 6 minutes, 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter when a lightning bolt lit up the sky to the north and was followed by a loud thunder clap. The teams scurried off the field and fans headed for the concourse, elected to cross the street to Williams and Mariucci arenas, or just plain left for the night. Heavy rain came down during the delay.
The attendance (tickets sold) was announced at 50,656, but the stadium was less than one-third full when play resumed.
The pregame warmups were shortened and the stadium was cleared for about an hour started at 5:30 p.m. because of lightning as well, but the game started on time at 7 p.m.
Kicking woes
Vikings kicker Blair Walsh had four misses. He missed a 35-yard field-goal attempt and a 33-yard extra point, both to the right, in the first half. He also missed a 38-yard field goal attempt wide left and a 49-yarder wide right in the fourth quarter. None of those kicks appeared to be affected by the swirling wind, however.
Walsh converted two other extra points, including one that was 43 yards because of a penalty.
Walsh's 49-yarder with 51 seconds remaining could have sealed the victory for the Vikings. Instead, the Raiders had a final possession down eight points, but cornerback Josh Thomas ended the threat by intercepting a Cody Fajardo pass.
