When the Minnesota Vikings sent their kick return team onto the field for the start of the third quarter in Baltimore, head coach Mike Zimmer was probably hoping that Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense could put together a scoring drive to extend Minnesota’s lead.
Rookie kick returner Kene Nwangwu did not want his coach to wait that long.
The speedy rookie took the second-half kickoff 98 yards, outracing the Ravens kickoff team for a huge touchdown to electrify the visitors’ sideline:
KENE NWANGWU GOES 98 YARDS.
Kickoff RETURNED. #SKOL @KWang3_
📺: #MINvsBAL on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/eegXYoWL5a— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2021
Nwangwu identifies a crease down near the 20-yard line and slices through it with ease, putting him face-to-face with kicker Justin Tucker. The rookie sidesteps the kicker to the right sideline and outruns him, and everyone else, for the score.
After losing to Cooper Rush on Sunday night, the Vikings needed to rebound against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens on the road. So far, so good.