2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Notre Dame
Less than a minute later, QB Jimmy Clausen completed a 10-yard pass to Duval Kamara that was run in for another TD. A few minutes later Jimmy Clausen threw another TD pass, this time a 48 yard long bomb to Golden Tate. The Wolverines got on the board late in the first quarter with their own long bomb, a 40-yard TD Steven Threet pass to Sam McGuffie. Then with just under 12 minutes to go in the second quarter, the Wolverines got on the board again with a 23-yard K.C. Lopata field goal.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Notre Dame
A few minutes later, the Fighting Irish's Robert Hughes ran in a touchdown from 1 yard out. Then with just under 6 minutes in the half, the Wolverines struck back when Kevin Grady ran in a touchdown from 7 yards out. With that the teams went into their locker rooms to dry out temporarily. Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter. But the Fighting Irish capped off their scoring when the Wolverines fumbled the ball and Brian Smith picked it up and ran it back 35 yards for a touchdown.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Wisconsin
Following a bye week, the Wolverines played the 500th game in the Big House against the #9 Wisconsin Badgers in their first contest against another Big Ten Conference school of the season. The Badgers missed a field goal in the first quarter but later scored on two field goal attempts. Scoring one touchdown and two field goals in the second quarter, Wisconsin finished the half with a 19–0 lead. The Wolverines gave up 5 fumbles, threw 2 interceptions and managed only 21 yards in the first half. The offense got going midway through the third quarter.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Wisconsin
A touchdown pass thrown to freshman Kevin Koger got them on the board. The Wolverines continued to have success offensively, scoring 3 touchdowns in the fourth quarter. They took the lead when John Thompson returned an interception for a touchdown. The Badgers were down 27–19 with a little over 5 minutes to go. Because of a series of big passes, the Badgers scored a touchdown and went for the two-point conversion. Their initial attempt resulted in a pass caught for an apparent score, but was thwarted by an ineligible receiver penalty.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Wisconsin
On their second attempt, the ball sailed over the head of the intended target in the back of the endzone. The Badgers were unable to regain possession with an onside kick, ending the game. Their 20-point comeback was the second largest comeback in Michigan football history (the largest was a 21-point comeback victory at Minnesota in 2003).


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Illinois
For their 2008 Homecoming Game, the Wolverines hosted the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Wolverines looked good in the first quarter, scoring a season high 14 points on 2 touchdowns. Michigan's Steven Threet was 18-of-35 for 250 yards and two TDs. Sam McGuffie ran for 70 yards and a touchdown and freshman Martavious Odoms set season highs with seven receptions and 129 yards receiving. However, they were blanked in the second and third quarter.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Illinois
They came back to life in the fourth quarter though, when Mark Moundros caught a 2-yard pass for a touchdown, but kicker K.C. Lopata failed on the PAT attempt. Illinois however had their best game against Michigan in the history of the Michigan / Illinois contests. The Illini set a school record for points against Michigan (45), surpassing the 39 points Red Grange helped them score in 1924 as Memorial Stadium was dedicated, and they scored the most any team has at Michigan Stadium since Florida State had 51 in 1991.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Illinois
It was also the Illini's first victory at the Big House since 1999, and University of Illinois quarterback Isiah "Juice" Williams set a Big House record with 431 all-purpose yards, breaking the record previously held by former Illini quarterback Tony Eason (403). Illini quarterback Isiah "Juice" Williams connected with Jeff Cumberland for a 77-yard pass, the longest by an Illini quarterback since 1985, and a perfectly lofted screen to running back Daniel Dufrene turned into a 57-yard TD. With the loss, the Wolverines fell to 2–3 on the season and 1–1 in the Big Ten, their worst record after five games since starting 1–4 in 1967, two years before Bo Schembechler arrived.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Toledo
After their huge loss to Illinois, the Wolverines hosted the Toledo Rockets. It was the first time the two teams had ever played. In the first quarter, the Rockets scored first when a pass from Michigan QB Steven Threet was intercepted in the end zone by Tyrrell Herbert and run back 101 yards for a touchdown. Later in the first quarter, the Wolverines got on the board with 27-yard TD pass from Steven Threet to Brandon Minor. The next score came on a 26-yard field goal by Michigan kicker K.C. Lopata midway through the second quarter.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Toledo
With that, the teams went into the locker rooms at the half with a score of 10–7. In the second half, the Rockets shut out the Wolverines and scored two more field goals, both by Alex Steigerwald. He completed a 29-yard attempt in the third quarter and a 48-yard attempt in the fourth quarter. With less than a minute remaining in the game, the Wolverines got into the red zone and attempted a field goal to take the game into overtime.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Toledo
Lopata missed the field goal though, sealing the victory for the Rockets and marking the first time the Wolverines had ever lost to a Mid-American Conference team. To make matters worse - this was not a good MAC team; Toledo ended up posting a 3-9 overall record, and was 2-6 in the MAC. In the game, Nick Moore of the Rockets set a record of 20 receptions against The Wolverines. With the humbling loss, the Wolverines fell to 2–4, their worst start in 41 years.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Penn State
In the fourth-largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history, the Penn State Nittany Lions ended a nine-game losing streak to the Wolverines, dating back to 1997. Michigan tallied 204 yards of offense and scored on their first three possessions to take a 17–7 lead early in the second quarter, but the Nittany Lion defense made key halftime adjustments and limited the Wolverines to only 87 yards the remainder of the game. Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark's touchdown pass to Jordan Norwood late in the first half cut Michigan's lead to 17–14, Penn State's first deficit at halftime this season.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Penn State
The Nittany Lions would outscore the Wolverines 32–0 in the second half for a 46–17 win. Clark finished 18 of 31 for 171 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 45 yards and two one-yard touchdowns but lost a fumble on State's second drive which led to a Wolverine field goal. Evan Royster ran for a career-high 174 yards on 18 carries for a 9.7 yard per carry average, including a 44-yard touchdown for Penn State's first points. Deon Butler had a season-high eight receptions for 105 yards, his fourth-career 100-yard game. Stephfon Green took a screen pass from Pat Devlin and outran the Wolverines defense 80 yards for the Nittany Lions' final score.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Penn State
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman led the defense with 11 tackles. Defensive tackle Jared Odrick made a career-high six stops, with 2.5 tackles for loss, but his biggest play occurred with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter. Odrick sacked Michigan quarterback Nick Sheridan, who was in for the injured Steven Threet, in the end zone for a safety and Penn State's first lead of the game, 19–17. Aaron Maybin finished with four tackles, including a sack of Threet that forced a fumble, recovered by Abe Koroma, and led to a Penn State touchdown.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Michigan State
After their blowout loss at Penn State, the Wolverines went back to Ann Arbor to take on their in-state rivals, the Michigan State Spartans, for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. The Spartans struck first, scoring on a huge 61-yard TD pass from Brian Hoyer to Blair White with just under 12 minutes to go in the first quarter. The Wolverines tied it up near the end of the first quarter when Brandon Minor scored on a 19-yard TD pass from Steven Threet. The Spartans took the lead back near the end of the half with a 64-yard TD run by Javon Ringer. The Wolverines tied it back up less than a minute later when Brandon Minor ran in a TD from 2 yards out.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Michigan State
Midway through the third quarter, the Wolverines took their only lead of the game when QB Steven Threet ran in a touchdown himself from 2 yards out. From there, Michigan State took control of the game. The Spartans tied it back up when Charlie Gantt scored on a 4-yard TD pass near the end of the third quarter. The Wolverines were shut out in the fourth quarter. The Spartans took the lead in the fourth quarter when Javon Ringer ran in another TD, this time from 3 yards out, and sealed their win when Josh Rouse scored on a 7-yard TD pass. With the loss, the Wolverines fell to 2–6 overall and 1–3 vs. Big Ten opponents.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Purdue
In week 10, the Wolverines traveled to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. The Wolverines gained an early lead in the first quarter. First Brandon Minor ran in a TD from 45 yards out. A few minutes later Martavius Odoms got a huge score when he ran a punt back 73 yards for another TD, putting the Wolverines up 14-0. The Boilermakers quickly tied it up though with 2 TD's of their own later in the first quarter. First Kory Sheets ran in TD from 2 yards out.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Purdue
Then Justin Siller ran in a TD from 10 yards out. The Wolverines went up by 14 again in the second quarter though. First Laterryl Savoy scored on an 11-yard TD pass. Then the Wolverines got another big TD run, this time on a 51-yard rush by Darryl Stonum. The Boilermakers struck back with less than a minute to go in the half when Kory Sheets scored another TD, this time on a 3-yard run. At halftime the Wolverines were up 28–21.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Purdue
In the 3rd quarter, the Wolverines were shut out, but the Boilermakers scored 2 more TD's, both by Kory Sheets, making his day's total 4. His 3rd of the game came on a 7-yard pass, tying the game. His final TD of the game was on a 5-yard run which put the Boilermakers ahead.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Purdue
The scoring continued to see-saw in the fourth quarter. The Wolverines tied it back up when Brandon Minor ran in a TD from 12 yards out. Then Greg Orton put the Boilermakers back up by catching a 4-yard TD pass. The Wolverines re-tied the game when Brandon Minor got his 3rd TD of the game, this time on a 1-yard run. The Boilermakers put the game in the win column with less than 30 seconds left when Desmond Tardy caught a 28-yard TD pass. With the loss, Michigan was disqualified from all bowl games this season, the first time since 1967. Brandon Minor's 154 yards and 3 touchdowns set a school record. Purdue's 48 points was the most the school had ever scored against Michigan, and their first win against Michigan since 2000.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Minnesota
In week 11, the Wolverines flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the Little Brown Jug. The first half was all Michigan. Wolverines Kicker K.C. Lopata scored 3 field goals in the first half, 2 in the first quarter from 44 yards and 34 yards respectively, then another in the second quarter from 26 yards. Then Greg Mathews caught an 8-yard TD pass to put the Wolverines up 16–0 at halftime.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Minnesota
In the third quarter, the Wolverines scored first on a 48-yard field goal. Then the Golden Gophers finally got on the board with a 28-yard field goal from kicker Joel Monroe. Then K.C. Lopata got his fifth and final field goal of the game, this one from 23 yards out. In the fourth quarter, the Golden Gophers managed to score on another field goal, this one from 32 yards out. The final score of the game was when Mark Moundros of the Wolverines ran in a TD from 3 yards out. It was the Wolverines' 12th straight win in the Metrodome. With the Gophers' move to the new TCF Bank Stadium in the 2009 season, the Wolverines could claim to have never lost in the Metrodome.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Northwestern
Recap: For their final home game of the season, the Wolverines hosted the Northwestern Wildcats. In the rain and snow, the Wildcats struck first midway through the first quarter when Stephen Simmons ran in a 21-yard TD. The Wolverines tied it up near the end of the 1st when QB Nick Sheridan ran in a TD himself from 3 yards out. The only score of the 2nd quarter was when Rick Reyes of the Wolverines blocked a punt and picked it up for a 3-yard TD run.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, vs Northwestern
The second half was all Northwestern. First Ross Lane caught a 17-yard TD pass to tie it up. Then Eric Peterman caught a 53 yard long bomb for another TD, sealing the win for the Wildcats. With this loss, Michigan fell to 3–8, the school's most losses in a single-season in 129 years of football. It was also just Northwestern's second win in Ann Arbor in its past 21 trips. The program's only other win there since 1960 came in the Rose Bowl season of 1995.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Ohio State
For their final game of the season, the Wolverines traveled to Columbus, Ohio to take on their bitter rival the Ohio State Buckeyes for the 105th time in the rivalry (see Michigan-Ohio State rivalry). The Buckeyes scored first when Chris Wells ran in a 59-yard TD. The Buckeyes made it 14-0 when Brian Hartline caught a 53 yard long bomb for another TD just after the start of the second quarter. Michigan got their only points of the game when Brandon Minor ran in a 1-yard TD near halftime.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Ohio State
The second half was all Ohio State. First Daniel Herron got a huge 49-yard run for a TD in the 3rd quarter. Later in the 3rd, Brian Robiske caught an 8-yard TD pass. Just after the start of the 4th, Daniel Herron scored again, this time on a 2-yard TD run. Brian Hartline later caught an 18-yard TD pass.


2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Game summaries, at Ohio State
With the loss, Michigan's season ended with a 3-9 record, officially the worst for the school in the 129 years of the football program. This was their fifth loss in a row to Ohio State, and made the 2008 senior class the second in a row never to beat the Buckeyes.


2008 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament
The 2008 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament took place in May 2008. The top eight regular season finishers met in the double-elimination tournament held at V.A. Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio. This was the twentieth Mid-American Conference postseason tournament to determine a champion, and first to be held at a neutral site. Second seed Eastern Michigan won their third tournament championship to earn the conference's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.


2008 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament, Seeding and format
The winner of each division claimed the top two seeds, while the next six finishers based on conference winning percentage only, regardless of division, participated in the tournament. The teams played a two bracket, double-elimination tournament with the winner of each bracket facing off in a single championship game. This was the first year of the eight team tournament.


2008 Mid-American Conference Baseball Tournament, All-Tournament Team, Most Valuable Player
Zack Leonard was named Tournament Most Valuable Player. Leonard played for Eastern Michigan.


2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament
The 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament began on May 15 and ended on May 17, 2008 at Marty L. Miller Field, on the campus of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. It was a six-team double elimination tournament. Bethune-Cookman won the tournament, as they have done each year but one since the tournament began in 1999. The Wildcats claimed the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.


2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament, Format and seeding
The top six finishers from the regular season were seeded one through six based on conference winning percentage only, with the top seed playing the sixth seed, second seed playing the fifth, and so on for first round matchups. The winners advanced in the winners' bracket, while first round losers played elimination games. The format meant that Coppin State was left out of the field.


2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament, All-Tournament Team, Outstanding Performer
Jose Lozada was named Tournament Outstanding Performer. Lozada was an infielder for Bethune-Cookman.


2008 Midas 400
The 2008 Midas 400 was the fifth round of the 2008 V8 Supercar season. It was held on the weekend of 7 to 9 June Sandown Raceway in Melbourne, Victoria. With most states of Australia celebrating a public holiday on the Monday celebrating the Queen's birthday, the meeting took the unusual format of Saturday-Monday instead of Friday-Sunday.


2008 Midas 400, Practice
Qualifying was held on Saturday 7 June. Following on from the Eastern Creek round of the series, a 'rookie' practice session was held, allowing younger and newer drivers to gain additional testing laps. Teams were also allowed to use the session to test their co-drivers who will step into the teams for the Phillip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000 races later in the season which require two drivers per car. Of the enduro co-drivers, Steve Owen was fastest driving for Jim Beam Racing. Paul Radisich (HSV Dealer Team) was second fastest ahead of Jason Bargwanna (Rod Nash Racing).


2008 Midas 400, Practice
Other co-drivers to take part, in order were John McIntyre (Glenfords Racing), Warren Luff (Jim Beam Racing), Dean Canto (Ford Performance Racing), Craig Baird and Glenn Seton (both Holden Racing Team), David Besnard (Stone Brothers Racing), Greg Ritter (Garry Rogers Motorsport), Dale Wood (Tasman Motorsport), Paul Weel (Paul Weel Racing), Nathan Pretty (Jack Daniel's Racing), Brad Jones (Brad Jones Racing), Jack Perkins (Jack Daniel's Racing), Luke Youlden (Ford Performance Racing) and Grant Denyer (Ford Rising Stars Racing).


2008 Midas 400, Practice
Fastest driver of the day was Garth Tander, the only driver to lap faster than Owen. James Courtney, Mark Winterbottom and Jamie Whincup were the only drivers within a tenth of Owen's best lap.


2008 Midas 400, Qualifying
Qualifying was held on Sunday 8 June. Jamie Whincup slammed home pole position in the final moments of qualifying, some four-tenths clear of the field. Mark Winterbottom was second fastest, leading Will Davison and leading Holden, Rick Kelly by only a few hundredths of a second. Fabian Coulthard had a best ever qualifying result to be fifth fastest with Russell Ingall also well up in sixth, 19 grid spots ahead of his teammate. Handling issues slowed the Holden Racing Team, both Garth Tander and Mark Skaife missing the cut for the top ten.


2008 Midas 400, Race 1
Race 1 was held on Sunday 8 June. Steven Richards and Todd Kelly tangled on the opening lap, Greg Murphy spun on the second lap, all three dropping to the tail of the field. Andrew Thompson spun Marcus Marshall around at the top of the straight. Will Davison retired from the race in the early running with an engine problem, spoiling the good work from qualifying. Craig Lowndes damaged his car trying to get past Davison. Rick Kelly had lurid 160 km/h spin in the Esses without hitting the walls or the cars in close company, only losing three spots.


2008 Midas 400, Race 1
As the race settled Whincup pulled further and further away, only Winterbottom was able to hang on to finish second. Craig Lowndes fought his way into third position. Russell Ingall took his best finish of the season to finish top Holden in fourth ahead of Garth Tander, recovering from a poor grid position. Coulthard finished eighth, capitalising on his qualifying performance. Shane van Gisbergen finished an excellent ninth.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
The 2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Middle Tennessee competed as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The team was led by head coach Rick Stockstill. The Blue Raiders played their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
Middle Tennessee compiled a 5–7 overall record and 3–4 record against Sun Belt opponents. In week 2, the Blue Raiders beat just their fourth-ever opponent from a Bowl Championship Subdivision (BCS) conference when they upset Maryland, 24–14. All three of the other instances in the past were against Vanderbilt. The following week, Middle Tennessee came within inches of repeating the feat, when a comeback attempt against Kentucky fell just short.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Troy
Middle Tennessee compiled two rapid-fire fourth-quarter touchdowns, but the comeback attempt ultimately fell short. Troy eventually finished the season as the Sun Belt Conference champions.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Maryland
After receiving the kick-off, Middle Tennessee quarterback Joe Craddock led an 80-yard, 10-play drive. It included a fake punt that caught Maryland off-guard and the punter completed a 28-yard pass for the first down conversion. Craddock ended the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass. On Maryland's second offensive play of the game, Da'Rel Scott broke free for a 63-yard run for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Middle Tennessee re-took the lead with a 31-yard field goal.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Maryland
In the third quarter, Turner threw an interception which was returned 25 yards to the Maryland five yard-line, and then subsequently ran in for a touchdown. Turner then completed a short toss to Darrius Heyward-Bey who ran it downfield for an 80-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Maryland found itself inside the Middle Tennessee 35-yard line three times, but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities. Middle Tennessee defenders saved two potential touchdowns with interceptions on their own two-yard line and in the endzone.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Maryland
The game marked Middle Tennessee's first ever win over an ACC opponent, although they had come close in Murfreesboro, TN the year prior, where Virginia made a field goal for the go-ahead with eight seconds remaining. It was Middle Tennessee's fourth ever win against an opponent from a BCS conference. The other three all came against Vanderbilt.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Kentucky
A week after Middle Tennessee beat just their second ever BCS conference opponent, the Blue Raiders came very close to beating a third. In the final seconds of the game, with Middle Tennessee trailing by six points, wide receiver Eldred King caught a 61-yard pass but was ankle-tackled at the Kentucky one-yard line as time expired.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Arkansas State
Middle Tennessee has dominated the football series against Arkansas State with wins in eight of the first nine meetings; however, the 10th gridiron clash between the teams is one the Blue Raiders would likely prefer to have forgetten. Arkansas State was too much for Middle Tennessee in a 31–14 win on Homecoming at ASU Stadium on Sept. 20, 2008.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Arkansas State
The Red Wolves dominated from the outset and took control in the first half on the way to a 17-0 halftime advantage. Middle Tennessee (1-3, 0-2) finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter when Phillip Tanner plunged in from the 2 to cap a nine-play, 76-yard drive and narrow the margin to 24–7 with 2:19 remaining in the third quarter. The Blue Raiders fell to 0–2 in conference play as Arkansas State beat the Blue Raiders for the second time in ten tries.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Florida Atlantic
This game was the first ever nationally televised football game from Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium from the Middle Tennessee State University campus. This game was marketed as a blackout game for the Blue Raiders, and the team wore all black uniforms with blue numbers and shoulder stripes.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Florida Atlantic
Middle Tennessee scored all of its points in the final 5:22 of the game after looking lethargic offensively until that point; however, when the game was on the line the Blue Raiders took full advantage. The Blue Raiders put together a remarkable comeback when quarterback Joe Craddock marched the Blue Raiders 65 yards with no timeouts to rally them to a dramatic 14–13 win against Florida Atlantic in front of 25,766 and an ESPN2 national television audience.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Florida Atlantic
Trailing 13-7 Middle Tennessee began its final drive at its 35-yard line with 1:15 remaining and no timeouts. Craddock completed 4-of-6 passes for 65 yards on the game-winning drive, including the striking 32-yard aerial to freshman wide receiver Malcolm Beyah, who rose above three defenders and secured the ball with no time on the clock for one of the most remarkable finishes in Floyd Stadium history.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Florida Atlantic
Beyah, who had two catches for 59 yards on the final drive, tied the game 13–13 with his breathtaking grab and freshman kicker Alan Gendreau, who was frozen twice by consecutive Florida Atlantic timeouts, nailed the extra point to send the remaining Blue Raider faithful into a frenzy as the students stormed the field.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Florida International
Middle Tennessee's hopes of a push toward the Sun Belt Conference championship in the second half of the season took a decisive blow in Miami, FL, when Florida International dealt the Blue Raiders a 31-21 setback at FIU Stadium.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Florida International
Middle Tennessee never got on track offensively in the opening half and things worsened in the second half when the Golden Panthers finally started gaining yards in chunks against a Blue Raider defense that had been on the field a majority of the first half. Middle Tennessee fell to 2-4 overall and was out of the conference race at 1–3.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Florida International
As of this game, the series between Middle Tennessee and Florida International is tied 2-2. The home team has never lost in the series.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisville
Middle Tennessee showed fight against Louisville during a dandy first-half display but the Cardinals flexed their Big East muscle in the second half and pulled away for a 42–23 win in Louisville.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisville
The Blue Raiders led 17-14 after a spirited first half but the second half belonged to Louisville as it made a statement and pulled away from Middle Tennessee's upset bid.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisville
The game started well enough for the Blue Raiders who jumped out to the early lead and maintained it throughout the first half. Louisville quarterback Hunter Cantwell had a pass intercepted by Blue Raider safety Jeremy Kellem, who returned 14 yards for the touchdown to give Middle Tennessee a 7–0 lead, with 9:27 remaining in the opening frame.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisville
Minutes later, Blue Raider receiver Patrick Honeycutt took the handoff from quarterback Joe Craddock and pulled up for a pass to a wide open tailback Phillip Tanner, who caught the ball at the 18 and went 39 yards for the touchdown to give the Blue Raiders a 14–0 lead with 6:46 remaining in the opening quarter. The tide turned somewhat in the second quarter, particularly when Louisville running back Victor Anderson sprinted 88 yards to tie the game, 14-14, with 12:10 remaining in the first half. Louisville went on to win 42–23.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
Middle Tennessee's offense put together five scoring drives and Eldred King turned in one of the best performances ever by a Blue Raider receiver but it wasn't enough in a tough 31-22 setback to Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
The Blue Raiders stood toe-to-toe with the Bulldogs in the first half and trailed 14–13 at the break before taking their first lead on the opening drive of the second half. Mississippi State was too strong on two pivotal second half drives as Middle Tennessee's strong road showing wasn't enough to warrant an upset. This game marked the third straight loss for the Blue Raiders


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Mississippi State
Mississippi State will travel to Murfreesboro, TN, to take on the Blue Raiders during the 2009 season. This will be 3rd BCS opponent to play at Middle Tennessee in three years, and the first time that a Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent will play in Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisiana-Monroe
After three straight road games, and three straight loses, Middle Tennessee returned home to take on conference foe Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisiana-Monroe
Football players at Middle Tennessee made sure the students and alumni enjoyed a happy Homecoming as the Blue Raiders raced out to a fast start and held on for a 24–21 win against ULM at Floyd Stadium.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisiana-Monroe
The Blue Raiders jumped out to a 17–0 lead early in the second quarter. After ULM had pulled to within 17-14 late in the third, Middle Tennessee built its lead back to 10 and secured the Homecoming win to improve to 3-6 overall and 2–3 in the Sun Belt Conference.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisiana-Monroe
Middle Tennessee improved to 47-19-2 on Homecoming, including 2-1 under head coach, Rick Stockstill. The Blue Raiders have won 18 of their past 21 Homecoming games.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Western Kentucky
Middle Tennessee put itself back in strong position to become bowl eligible following an impressive 21–10 win against hated rival Western Kentucky, on a cold rainy/snowy day in Bowling Green, KY.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Western Kentucky
Senior quarterback Joe Craddock completed 19-of-29 passes for 212 yards and threw two touchdowns with no interceptions to key a 212-yard passing attack; however, it was great balance and play-calling that kept WKU on its heels. The Blue Raiders ran for 101 yards and rode the strong back of junior running back Phillip Tanner in a smash-mouth type approach. Tanner responded with a season-high 92 yards that included a 29-yard touchdown. Middle Tennessee's offense finished with 313 total yards.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky will become bowl-eligible and will be able to contend for a conference championship for the 2009 season. Because of this Middle Tennessee finished their season with an out of conference record of 2–3.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, North Texas
Middle Tennessee's ground attack enjoyed the breakout game it has been seeking and junior tailback Phillip Tanner and a dominating offensive line was the major contributors as the Blue Raiders routed North Texas, 52–13, in the home finale at Floyd Stadium Saturday. The Blue Raiders won their third straight to improve to 5-6 overall, 3-3, in the SBC, and kept alive their hopes of becoming bowl eligible.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, North Texas
Tanner enjoyed one of the most productive games of any Blue Raider ever and he had the greatest offensive outburst in SBC history with six touchdowns - five rushing - and 159 yards on 14 carries. A Texas native, Tanner ran roughshod through the Mean Green defense, generally breaking tackles and running over defenders on his way to touchdowns of 12, 1, 19, 66, 36 and 92 yards. The first five touchdowns were rushing scores and Tanner capped the outlandish scoring day with a 92-yard kickoff return to start the second half. Tanner finished with 301 all-purpose yards, the third-highest total in program history.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, North Texas
Middle Tennessee's 52 points scored are the most ever under Rick Stockstill and the most by the Blue Raiders since they had 70 against Idaho in 2001. Middle Tennessee and North Texas entered play tied for the most league wins in Sun Belt Conference history with 30. The Blue Raiders broke the tie with the victory over the Mean Green to move their count to 31.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisiana-Lafayette
Middle Tennessee's strong second half run finally was derailed when Louisiana-Lafayette fought off the Blue Raiders, 42–28, at Cajun Field to end their three-game win streak.


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisiana-Lafayette
The game featured two teams seeking to gain bowl eligibility and it was indicative from the outset as the teams battled back and forth in an effort to keep their season alive. Middle Tennessee (5-7, 3-4) had pulled to within one game of becoming bowl eligible with an impressive three-game win streak that preceded the setback to Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6, 5-2).


2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team, Game summaries, Louisiana-Lafayette
Senior quarterback Joe Craddock was outstanding in his final game as a Blue Raider. Craddock completed 22-of-28 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. He became the only quarterback in school history to have 10 games with more than 200 yards passing in a single season. Craddock also tied for fifth on the single-season touchdown list with 14.


2008 Mieczysław Połukard Criterium of Polish Speedway Leagues Aces
The 27th Mieczysław Połukard Criterium of Polish Speedway League Aces was the 2008 version of the Mieczysław Połukard Criterium of Polish Speedway Leagues Aces. It took place on March 30 in the Polonia Stadium in Bydgoszcz, Poland.


2008 Mieczysław Połukard Criterium of Polish Speedway Leagues Aces, Heat details
m - exclusion for exceeding two minute time allowance • t - exclusion for touching the tapes • x - other exclusion • e - retired or mechanical failure • f - fell • ns - non-starter • nc - non-classify


2008 Milan–San Remo
The 2008 Milan–San Remo cycling race took place on March 22, 2008, and was won by Fabian Cancellara. It was the 99th edition of the Milan–San Remo monument classic. It was three kilometres longer than 2007, at 298 km, following the addition of the Le Mànie climb, which was due to roadworks along the previously planned route. The race concluded on Lungomare Italo Calvino and not on the traditional Via Roma due to construction and the Easter weekend.


2008 Milan–San Remo
Last year's winner Óscar Freire was the favourite with bookmakers, following his recent double stage victory at the Tirreno–Adriatico.


2008 Miller Superbike World Championship round
The 2008 Miller Superbike World Championship round was the sixth round of the 2008 Superbike World Championship. It took place on the weekend of May 30-June 1, 2008, at the Salt Lake City circuit.


2008 Millsaps Majors football team
The 2008 Millsaps Majors football team represented Millsaps College during the 2008 college football season. The 2008 season was a very successful season. The Majors rolled through the regular season, going 10-0 and outscoring their opponents 442 to 132. The team avenged 2007's crushing loses at the hands of Mississippi College and Trinity, pummeling the Choctaws 42-6 in the eighth edition of the renewed Backyard Brawl and punishing the Tigers 56-27 in San Antonio.


2008 Millsaps Majors football team
The Majors captured their third consecutive SCAC championship, winning outright to earn the program's third NCAA tournament berth, became the first team in the program's history to reach double digit wins and climbed to their highest ever national ranking, #3, before finishing the season 11-1 and ranked #12 nationally.


2008 Millsaps Majors football team
Once again, DuBose was named the conference's "Coach of the Year" and senior quarterback Juan Joseph was the SCAC's "Offensive Player of the Year" for the third consecutive season. Sophomore wide receiver and return specialist Michael Galatas was named the conference's "Special Teams Player of the Year" and freshman running back Shane Bowser was the SCAC's co-"Newcomer of the Year." In all, 20 Majors were named to the All-SCAC first team, second team and honorable mention lists.


2008 Milton Keynes Council election
The 2008 Milton Keynes Council election took place on 1 May 2008 to elect members of Milton Keynes Unitary Council in Buckinghamshire, England. One third of the council – the 17 seats contested in the 2004 election – was up for election and the council, which totalled 51 seats, remained under no overall control.


2008 Milwaukee Bonecrushers season
The 2008 Milwaukee Bonecrushers season was the 1st season for the Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL) expansion franchise. The franchise made an immediate splash in Milwaukee when it announced former Green Bay Packer Gilbert Brown signed a three-year contract to be the team's first head coach. However, the optimism quickly faded when Brown announced he was resigning from the position after just three games on April 8, 2008. Much of the team's staff and many of the team's players also left at the same time, raising eyebrows among the Milwaukee media and fans. The Bonecrushers finished 2008 with a hodgepodge of players and coaches, winning just one game, a 51-46 road contest against the Muskegon Thunder featuring a 26-yard touchdown run by Bonecrushers' quarterback Brian Ryczkowski on the final play of the game.


2008 Milwaukee Bonecrushers season
The rumored reasoning behind the exodus of many of the original members of the franchise was the team's inability to pay its bills or personnel. This was confirmed when a judgment was entered against the Bonecrushers in favor of Challenger Industries, the company that sold the team its game field AstroTurf, in the amount of $29,539.29 on October 15, 2008. Challenger resolved its claim against John Burns, one of the owners of the Milwaukee Bonecrushers, prior to the matter going to trial.


2008 Milwaukee Brewers season
The 2008 Milwaukee Brewers season opened with optimism as the team attempted to build on the success of the 2007 season – their first winning season since 1992.


2008 Milwaukee Brewers season
With 12 games remaining in the regular season, manager Ned Yost was fired and replaced with bench coach Dale Sveum. Under Sveum, the team completed the regular season 7-5, finishing second place in the National League Central with a record of 90-72 and winning the NL Wild Card. With the Wild Card berth, the team clinched its first playoff berth in 26 years.


2008 Milwaukee Brewers season
In the NLDS, the Brewers were defeated 3-1 by the Philadelphia Phillies, who went on to win the World Series.


2008 Milwaukee Brewers season, Regular season
The Brewers played 20 extra inning games, the most of any MLB team in 2008.


2008 Milwaukee Brewers season, Postseason
For the first time in 26 years (since 1982) the Brewers reached the playoffs.


2008 Milwaukee Brewers season, Postseason
They lost 3 games to 1 to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.


2008 Milwaukee Brewers season, Farm system
The Brewers' farm system consisted of six minor league affiliates in 2008.


2008 Milwaukee mayoral election
The 2008 Milwaukee mayoral election was held on Tuesday, April 1, 2004, to elect the mayor for Milwaukee. Tom Barrett was reelected.


2008 Minato mayoral election
Minato, Tokyo held a mayoral election on June 8, 2008. Incumbent mayor Masaaki Takei, supported by all major parties except the Japanese Communist Party, was re-elected with a clear majority. Polling turnout was low with only about 25% of the electorate voting.


2008 Mini Challenge UK
The 2008 Mini Challenge season was the seventh season of the Mini Challenge UK. The season started on 27 April at Snetterton Motor Racing Circuit and ended on 32 September at Rockingham Motor Speedway. The season featured seven rounds across the UK.


2008 Mini Challenge UK, Championship standings
Championship points were awarded for the first 15 positions in each Championship Race. Entries were required to complete 75% of the winning car's race distance in order to be classified and earn points. There were bonus points awarded for Pole Position and Fastest Lap.


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses
The 2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses took place on  Super Tuesday, February 5, 2008 with 78 delegates at stake. The winner in each of Minnesota's eight congressional districts was awarded all of that district's delegates, totaling 47. Another 25 delegates were awarded to the statewide winner, Barack Obama. The 72 delegates represented Minnesota at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Sixteen other unpledged delegates, known as superdelegates, also attended the convention and cast their votes as well.


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses, Candidates
Candidates Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson, and John Edwards dropped out of the presidential race before the Minnesota Democratic Caucus.


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses, Process
Of the 88 delegates, 72 were allocated based on the results of the caucuses. Candidates were required to reach a threshold of 15 percent support at the precinct, congressional district, and statewide levels. Unlike other caucuses, there was no realignment of nonviable groups, and the results were binding for the delegates.


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses, Process
In 2008, there were more than 4,000 precinct caucus sites. Any Minnesotan who would be eligible to vote in the November general election, was not an active member of a party other than the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and agreed with DFL party principles was allowed to participate. All participants, by signing in, affirmed their agreement with the DFL's principles. The caucus included a presidential preference primary, in which voters cast secret ballots for presidential candidates. These results were tallied and used to elect 47 delegates from each of the state's eight congressional districts as follows:


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses, Process
An additional 25 pledged delegates were then allocated based upon the statewide caucus vote. Sixteen of these delegates were allocated for Barack Obama while nine were allocated for Hillary Rodham Clinton.


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses, Process
The remaining 16 delegates were unpledged superdelegates. The 14 Democratic Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs) included seven Democratic National Committee members, six members of the United States Congress, and former Vice President Walter Mondale. There were also two unpledged add-on delegates, elected at the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party State Convention.


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses, Caucus Night
Minnesotans turned out in record numbers to attend the 2008 Democratic Caucuses in locations throughout the state. The previous record turnout was about 80,000 in 1968 or 1972; the 2008 turnout exceeded 214,000. As the caucus results came in, Barack Obama consistently held a two-to-one lead over Hillary Rodham Clinton with strong support all throughout the state. Turnout at the Democratic Caucuses was significantly higher than at the Minnesota Republican Caucuses that night.


2008 Minnesota Democratic presidential caucuses, Caucus Night
Following the results of the Super Tuesday elections, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar endorsed Barack Obama.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
The 2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was the second under head coach Tim Brewster. They began play on August 30, 2008 at home against Northern Illinois from the Mid-American Conference, and finished the regular season against Iowa, on November 22. It was the Golden Gophers' final season in the Metrodome, as they moved into TCF Bank Stadium in 2009. The Gophers accepted a bid to the Insight Bowl and played Kansas on December 31 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Preseason
On February 21, 2008, it was announced that Ted Roof, the previous head coach of Duke, would replace Everett Withers as the Gophers new defensive coordinator. Withers had previously announced that he was taking the defensive coordinator job at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Northern Illinois
The Golden Gophers opened the 2008 season hosting a Saturday night game against Northern Illinois. After receiving the opening kickoff, Minnesota compiled a 16-play, 90-yard drive that chewed 8:50 off the clock and ended with an 8-yard TD pass from Adam Weber to Eric Decker. Northern Illinois responded early in the 2nd quarter with a 2-yard TD run from Justin Anderson, and a pair of field goals knotted the halftime score at 10–10.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Northern Illinois
Two big plays by the Golden Gophers set the tone through the 3rd quarter – a 53-yard TD catch by Jack Simmons and 61-yard TD run by Duane Bennett that staked Minnesota to a 24–13 lead. The Huskies answered with two long TD bombs of 91 and 52 yards from Chandler Harnish to Nathan Palmer. As Minnesota began their final drive of the game on their own 26-yard line with 5:25 on the clock, they trailed NIU 27–24.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Northern Illinois
Weber led a methodical drive down the field, completing all 5 of his pass attempts until the Gopher offense stalled in the red zone, bringing up 4th and 1 from the NIU 3. Rather than electing to kick the field goal and send the game into overtime, coach Brewster put the offense back out on the field, and they rewarded his aggressiveness. Bennett converted the 1st down on a short run, and the Gophers immediately ran the same play for a 1-yd TD. After putting the ensuing kickoff out of bounds and giving the Huskies the ball on their own 40, the Minnesota defense batted away a Hail Mary pass into the endzone as time expired to preserve the 31–27 victory.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Bowling Green
Bowling Green hosted a Big Ten opponent for the first time ever as Minnesota traveled to Doyt L. Perry Stadium for a Saturday night game. Bowling Green was confident after coming off a 27–17 upset at No. 25 Pittsburgh the previous week. Despite being road underdogs, Minnesota showed no sign of nerves as they once again scored a TD on their first drive and never relinquished the lead, cruising to an easy 42–17 victory over the home Falcons. The story of this game was turnovers.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Bowling Green
After a relatively uneventful first half that ended with a Gophers lead of 14–10, Bowling Green's Roger Williams fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half. Starting the drive at the BGSU 23, Minnesota promptly marched in for the score. After a Falcon touchdown made it 21–17, BGSU turned the ball over on each of their next three possessions, each turnover ultimately resulting in a touchdown for the Golden Gophers. The 28 points off turnovers proved to be the difference, as Minnesota won consecutive games for the first time since November 2006. This was also the first road victory for the Gophers under coach Tim Brewster.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Montana State
Montana State traveled to Minneapolis to take on the Gophers for each team's 3rd game of the season. Despite being heavily favored over an FCS opponent, Minnesota played in a lackluster fashion from the get-go, and actually trailed 6–0 at the end of the first quarter. The Golden Gophers' offense woke up in the 2nd quarter, and put 14 points on the board on consecutive drives. Just when it appeared that Minnesota may have begun to put the game out of reach, Montana State's Demetrius Crawford returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD. Minnesota was able to answer with another touchdown to make the halftime score 21–13 in their favor.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Montana State
In the second half, the Gophers returned to their power running game of old, and their offense consisted mostly of true freshman DeLeon Eskridge toting the rock, and adding two more scores to his one from the first half. He finished the game with 114 yards and three touchdowns, proving himself a capable replacement for previous starter Duane Bennett, who was lost for the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury during the Bowling Green game. Despite their less-than-spectacular performance, the Gophers managed to hold on for a 35–23 victory, and began a season 3–0 for the first time since 2005.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Florida Atlantic
The Gophers hosted the Owls for a Saturday morning game in Minneapolis. Minnesota looked to be the better team almost from the beginning, and finished with a 37–3 rout of Florida Atlantic. The defense continued to show its vast improvement over the 2007 version, holding FAU to a mere 3 points, the lowest total by a Minnesota opponent since a 62–0 rout of Temple in 2006. The Golden Gophers forced 4 interceptions by Owl QB Rusty Smith, widely considered to be a potential pro prospect. The offense was formidable as well, gaining a season-high 441 total yards.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Florida Atlantic
QB Adam Weber continued his solid, steady play, but did tally his first interception of the season on an ill-advised throw into triple coverage in an attempt to force the ball to WR Eric Decker in the end zone. The Gophers entered Big Ten play with a 4–0 record for the first time since 2005.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Ohio State
Minnesota traveled to Columbus, Ohio for a Saturday morning showdown with the No. 13 Ohio State Buckeyes. The Gophers had not defeated OSU since a 29–17 upset victory in 2000, and this contest would end no differently. Preseason Heisman hopeful Chris Wells and freshman phenom Terrelle Pryor started in the backfield for the first time ever, as Wells returned from a foot injury. The two combined for 203 yards rushing, and Ohio State led wire-to-wire for a 34–21 victory. After coming off the worst season in school history, the Gophers could at least take solace in the fact that they were competitive with the Buckeyes, and that their loss in the Big Ten season opener put them at a much-improved 4–1 record.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Indiana
Eric Decker continued his outstanding junior campaign, catching a school-record 13 receptions for 190 yards, leading host Minnesota to a 16–7 victory over the visiting Indiana Hoosiers. The Saturday morning tilt started slow, as neither team scored until the 2nd quarter, with the halftime score being knotted at 7–7. Minnesota's defense was stalwart the entire game, not allowing a first down until just before the half, with their only lapse being a 77-yard TD pass to RB Marcus Thigpen on a blown coverage play.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Indiana
It turned out to be a rather nondescript affair overall, with K Joel Monroe's three-second-half field goals staking the Gophers out to a 9-point lead, which ended up being the final margin of victory. This was the first Big Ten win of Tim Brewster's career, and put Minnesota at 1–1 in conference play. Indiana fell to 0–2 against conference foes.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Illinois
Minnesota traveled to Champaign, Illinois for an 11 am contest with the Fighting Illini. Though they were double-digit underdogs entering the game, the Gophers showed they were not intimidated, and led 7–3 at halftime. Once again, the Minnesota defense was the story of the game. Despite allowing 462 passing yards to standout QB Juice Williams, the swarming Gopher defense sacked him five times, forcing three turnovers and returning a Williams fumble for a touchdown. Minnesota held Illinois out of the endzone on a memorable goal line stand in the 3rd quarter.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Illinois
The referee initially signaled a touchdown on a scramble by Williams, but the call was overturned on a challenge, and firmly shifted the momentum in the Gophers' favor. DE Willie VanDeSteeg was named Walter Camp national player of the week after his 3 sack, 5 tackle performance. He was also named Big Ten defensive player of the week. Coming off their horrible 1–11 performance the previous year, Minnesota became bowl-eligible with a 6–1 (2–1) record, while Illinois fell to 3–3 (1–2). Minnesota held a winning conference record for the first time since 2005. Later in the weekend, both AP and coaches voters put the Gophers in the top 25, also for the first time since 2005.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Purdue
Minnesota, ranked No. 24 in the initial 2008 BCS rankings and No. 25 AP/Coaches, traveled to West Lafayette, Indiana for a Saturday morning game against the Purdue Boilermakers. Sophomore QB Adam Weber led the way for the Gopher offense, throwing for one touchdown and adding one on the ground as he accumulated 212 yards passing and 60 yards rushing. The Minnesota defense forced four Purdue turnovers and held the Boilermaker offense to just 226 total yards as they lost their homecoming game in coach Joe Tiller's final season. Purdue (2–6, 0–4) lost for the 18th consecutive time to a ranked opponent, while the Gophers (7–1, 3–1) won at Ross–Ade Stadium for the first time since 1990.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines, under first-year head coach Rich Rodriguez, entered the game already guaranteed of missing their first bowl game in 35 seasons. They were able to come out strong against the Gophers, prevailing 29–6 in the 91st battle for the Little Brown Jug. With the loss and the Gophers' move to the new TCF Stadium for the 2009 season, the Michigan Wolverines closed the Metrodome-era of the series having never lost in the stadium in 12 tries.


2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team, Game summaries, Iowa
In their final game at the Metrodome, the Gophers were embarrassed by the rival Iowa Hawkeyes, 55–0, in front of 64,071 in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale. It was the fifth-worst loss in school history, the second-worst at home, and the worst ever in conference play.


2008 Minnesota House of Representatives election
The 2008 Minnesota House of Representatives election was held in the U.S. state of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, to elect members to the House of Representatives of the 86th Minnesota Legislature. A primary election was held in several districts on September 9, 2008.


2008 Minnesota House of Representatives election
The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) won a majority of seats, remaining the majority party, followed by the Republican Party of Minnesota. The new Legislature convened on January 6, 2009.


2008 Minnesota Lynx season
The 2008 WNBA season was the tenth season for the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx were not able to return to the postseason for the first time since 2004.


2008 Minnesota Republican presidential caucuses
The 2008 Minnesota Republican presidential caucuses took place on February 5, 2008, with 38 national delegates at stake. The caucuses were considered a non-binding straw poll, since Minnesota officially chose 24 delegates to the 2008 Republican National Convention during district conventions from May 3 to May 24, 2008, and the remaining 14 delegates during the state convention on June 7, 2008. Those delegates to the national convention officially nominated the President. Mitt Romney was the winner of the Minnesota caucuses.


2008 Minnesota Republican presidential caucuses
The 2008 Republican National Convention was held in St. Paul, Minnesota from September 1 until September 4, 2008.


2008 Minnesota Swarm season
The Minnesota Swarm are a lacrosse team based in Minnesota playing in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The 2008 season was the 4th in franchise history.


2008 Minnesota Swarm season, Regular season, Conference standings
x: Clinched playoff berth; c: Clinched playoff berth by crossing over to another division; y: Clinched division; z: Clinched best regular season record; GP: Games PlayedW: Wins; L: Losses; GB: Games back; PCT: Win percentage; Home: Record at Home; Road: Record on the Road; GF: Goals scored; GA: Goals allowedDifferential: Difference between goals scored and allowed; GF/GP: Average number of goals scored per game; GA/GP: Average number of goals allowed per game


2008 Minnesota Swarm season, Player stats, Runners (Top 10)
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; LB = Loose Balls; PIM = Penalty Minutes


2008 Minnesota Swarm season, Player stats, Goaltenders
Note: GP = Games Played; MIN = Minutes; W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals Against; Sv% = Save Percentage; GAA = Goals Against Average


2008 Minnesota Twins season
The 2008 Minnesota Twins season was the 48th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 108th overall in the American League. After tying the Chicago White Sox for first in the AL Central Division with an 88–74 record, the team lost a one game playoff to finish second and miss the league playoffs.


2008 Minnesota Twins season
The Twins played their games in Bloomington Minnesota from 1961 till 1981 then moved into the Metrodome in 1982.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
General Manager for the previous 13 years, Terry Ryan stepped down into the role of Senior Advisor in September 2007 and was replaced by Bill Smith, formerly the assistant general manager. Scouting director Mike Radcliff was named vice president of player personnel and director of baseball operations Rob Antony was named assistant GM.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
The offseason between the 2007 and 2008 seasons saw many rumors surrounding pitcher Johan Santana, but little action until shortly before the start of spring training. Typically standing still in the off-season, the Twins made some waves late November when they traded Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan to the Tampa Bay Rays for power-hitting outfielder Delmon Young, scrappy infielder Brendan Harris and former Twin Jason Pridie.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
Prior to the Rays trade, the Twins traded for outfielder Craig Monroe of the Chicago Cubs. Monroe would later sign with the Twins and would be placed on the major league roster soon after. Monroe joined several others including Adam Everett and Mike Lamb as those new to the team who made the 2008 Opening Day roster.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
On January 18, 2008, the Twins avoided arbitration with three current players: Jason Kubel, Justin Morneau and Juan Rincón. Rincón and Kubel were signed through 2008, while Morneau and Michael Cuddyer were signed to extended contracts.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
The Twins also saw several players depart via free agency, roster management and trade. The Twins also released players Jason Tyner, Chris Heintz, Lew Ford, Josh Rabe and Matthew LeCroy.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
Minnesota lost Carlos Silva via free agency, Silva signing with the Seattle Mariners for a four-year contract. Silva was a starting pitcher for the Twins in recent years after coming over in the Eric Milton trade.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
The Twins also lost perennial Gold Glove center fielder and fan favorite Torii Hunter in free agency, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for five years and $90 million.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Player and personnel moves
The Twins traded ace Johan Santana to the New York Mets for four prospects: outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Philip Humber and Deolis Guerra.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Spring training
The Twins, as per long-standing tradition, were the last team to begin spring training on February 17, 2008.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Spring training
On March 27, the Twins announced they had finished signing their entire 40-man roster.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Spring training
Pitcher Francisco Liriano was unable to report to camp on time due to visa problems. Shortly before the start of the season, Liriano was sent down to the minor leagues to continue his development.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Spring training
Gómez beat out center field prospects Denard Span and Jason Pridie for the starting job.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Offseason and spring training, Spring training
The team re-signed closer Joe Nathan to a four-year contract on March 24.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Notable events
On May 7, 2008, Carlos Gómez hit for the cycle against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. He became the ninth major leaguer in history to hit for the reverse natural cycle. He also became the third-youngest player to hit for the cycle in MLB history. It had been a spell of 22 years since the last Twin hit for the cycle, Kirby Puckett in 1986.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Notable events
On May 19, Bobby Korecky—with a single in the tenth inning—became the only Twins pitcher to get a hit in the Metrodome (1982–2009).


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Notable events
In the third inning of the June 15 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Scott Baker became the first Minnesota Twin to strike out four men in a single inning. After Ryan Braun struck out, Prince Fielder struck out swinging at a wild pitch and made it to first base. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron to end the inning. Baker is the eighth American League pitcher to strike out the four consecutively. In 2012, Francisco Liriano will become the second Twin to accomplish the feat.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Notable events
During the 2008 campaign, the Twins sent three representatives to the 2008 MLB All Star game: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. Morneau went on to win the home run derby and score the winning run in the 15th inning of the All-Star game.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Notable events
Joe Mauer won his second American League Batting Title with a .328 average. Justin Morneau set a new club record with 47 doubles, and led the major leagues playing in 163 games. Carlos Gómez topped Rod Carew's 1974 team record with 30 bunt singles (Carew had 29), a total which led the majors.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Notable events
Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both won Silver Slugger Awards; Mauer added a Gold Glove Award as well.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
April 5, 2008: Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list; recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League (AAA).


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
April 11, 2008: Placed pitcher Kevin Slowey on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 4.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
April 19, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15; recalled third baseman Brian Buscher from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
April 24, 2008: Optioned outfielder Denard Span to Rochester of the International League (AAA).


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
April 25, 2008: Activated outfielder Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day disabled list.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
April 26, 2008: Optioned pitcher Francisco Liriano to Rochester of the International League (AAA); recalled pitcher Bobby Korecky from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
April 30, 2008: Optioned third baseman Brian Buscher to Rochester of the International League (AAA).


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 2, 2008: Activated infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 8, 2008: Placed pitcher Scott Baker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 4; activated pitcher Kevin Slowey from the 15-day disabled list.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 9, 2008: Placed pitcher Pat Neshek on the 15-day disabled list; recalled pitcher Glen Perkins from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 11, 2008: Placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Alexi Casilla from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 17, 2008: Placed infielder Matt Tolbert on the 15-day disabled list; purchased the contract of infielder Howie Clark from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 22, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Matt Macri from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 29, 2008: Claimed pitcher Craig Breslow off waivers from the Cleveland Indians; transferred pitcher Pat Neshek to the 60-day disabled list; optioned pitcher Bobby Korecky to Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
May 31, 2008: Activated infielder Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list; designated infielder Howie Clark for assignment.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
June 2, 2008: Outrighted infielder Howie Clark to the minor leagues.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
June 5, 2008: Optioned infielder Matt Macri to Rochester of the International League (AAA).


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
June 6, 2008: Activated pitcher Scott Baker from the 15-day disabled list; placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Matt Macri from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
June 13, 2008: Pitcher Juan Rincón designated for assignment; recalled infielder Brian Buscher from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
June 24, 2008: Activated infielder Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list: optioned infielder Howie Clark to Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
June 29, 2008: Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 28; recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League (AAA).


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
July 31, 2008: Placed infielder Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list; activated infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
August 1, 2008: Designated pitcher Liván Hernández and outfielder Craig Monroe for assignment; recalled pitcher Francisco Liriano from Rochester; purchased the contract of infielder Randy Ruiz from Rochester.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
August 11, 2008: Signed former Twin Bobby Kielty to a minor league contract.


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Regular season, Regular season transactions
August 21, 2008: Activated infielder Alexi Casilla from the 15-day disabled list; assigned pitcher Brian Bass to Rochester of the International League (AAA).


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Player stats, Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases


2008 Minnesota Twins season, Player stats, Pitching
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts


2008 Minnesota Vikings season
The 2008 season was the Minnesota Vikings' 48th in the NFL and their third under head coach Brad Childress. They won their 17th NFC North title with a 10–6 record, the first time since 2000 that they made the playoffs and finished with a winning record, but had to play in the wild card round of the playoffs, where they were paired with Childress's former team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who ended the Vikings' season with a 26–14 win. Second-year running back Adrian Peterson led the league in rushing with 1,760 yards.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On February 11, it was announced that defensive end Kenechi Udeze had been diagnosed by doctors with a form of leukemia. KMSP-TV (Ch. 9) also reported that Udeze was at Fairview Southdale Hospital undergoing tests and that he had been at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester the week before. Udeze was expected to be out for the 2008 season, but returned for one game against the Green Bay Packers on November 9 before ultimately retiring from professional football on July 29, 2009.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On February 20, the team released free safety Dwight Smith after two somewhat controversial seasons with the Vikings in which Smith had several run-ins with the law. He was due to receive $2.5 million and a $500,000 roster bonus this season.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On February 27, the team released backup quarterback Kelly Holcomb.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On February 29, the team traded wide receiver Troy Williamson to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round pick in the 2008 draft and linebacker Dontarrious Thomas left the team to join the San Francisco 49ers.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On March 1, the Vikings' former defensive tackle Spencer Johnson joined the Buffalo Bills.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On March 3, free agent running back Mewelde Moore left the team to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Releases and injuries
On March 7, safety Tank Williams joined the New England Patriots and fullback Tony Richardson joined the New York Jets.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On February 29, the team signed safety Madieu Williams, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, and fullback Thomas Tapeh, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On March 1, the team signed wide receiver Bernard Berrian, formerly of the Chicago Bears.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On March 4, running back and special teams specialist Maurice Hicks, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, signed a three-year contract to join the team.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On March 14, the team signed linebacker and special-teams standout Derrick Pope, formerly of the Miami Dolphins.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On March 17, the Vikings signed former Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Ellis Wyms, and re-signed wide receiver Robert Ferguson; all to one-year contracts.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On March 20 and March 21, Houston Texans safety Michael Boulware and former Green Bay Packers career backup defensive tackle Kenderick Allen to one-year contracts.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On March 24, restricted free agent linebacker Heath Farwell was re-resigned to a one-year contract. Also, on the next day, the team signed former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Benny Sapp to a one-year contract.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On April 8, former Vikings backup quarterback Gus Frerotte rejoined the team on a one-year contract.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On April 23, Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen signed a six-year contract with the Vikings in a trade that gave the Chiefs the Vikings' 2008 first-round draft pick and both third-round picks. The trade may also involve the swapping of 2008 sixth round draft picks with Kansas City.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Player and personnel moves, Signings and extensions
On July 22, the Vikings signed their fifth-round pick, DT Letroy Guion, and their seventh-round pick WR Jaymar Johnson.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Offseason, Draft
Note: All selections were moved up one overall position due to the forfeiture of the New England Patriots first round draft pick due to "Spygate scandal"


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Training camp
On May 27, Erasmus James was traded to the Washington Redskins for a conditional 2009 NFL draft pick.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Training camp
On June 27, the Vikings signed a one-day contract with seven-season member Robert Griffith so he could ceremonially retire as a member of the team.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Training camp
On July 16, a report by Jay Glazer appeared on FoxSports.com stating that the Green Bay Packers had filed tampering charges against the Vikings for allegedly inappropriately contacting Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Training camp
On August 4, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ruled that contact between the Vikings and Brett Favre over the summer did not violate league tampering rules, as the Packers alleged.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
The Vikings began their 2008 campaign on the road against their NFC North foe, the Green Bay Packers, in the first game of 2008's Monday Night Football doubleheader. After a scoreless first quarter, the Vikings attacked first with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 37-yard field goal. The Packers responded with QB Aaron Rodgers completing a 1-yard TD pass to FB Korey Hall, along with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 42-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
In the third quarter, the Vikes tried to catch up as Longwell got a 27-yard field goal, but Green Bay replied with CB/PR Will Blackmon returning a punt 76 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota tried to rally as QB Tarvaris Jackson completed a 23-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice (with a failed 2-point conversion), yet the Packers responded with Rodgers getting a 1-yard TD run. The Vikes would reply with RB Adrian Peterson getting a 3-yard TD run, but their final rally ended in an interception.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
With the loss, not only did the Vikings begin their season at 0–1, but Head Coach Brad Childress fell to 0–5 against the Packers in his coaching career. In the first half, Minnesota was widely outgained in passing yards 139–6.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 2: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Packers, the Vikings played their Week 2 home opener against the Indianapolis Colts. In the first half, kicker Ryan Longwell helped Minnesota take the early lead with a 45-yard and a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter, along with a 53-yard field goal in the second quarter. In the third quarter, the Vikes increased its lead with Longwell getting a 46-yard and a 28-yard field goal. However, the Colts responded with RB Joseph Addai getting a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Indianapolis continued to gain ground as QB Peyton Manning completed a 32-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne, followed by a two-point conversion run by RB Dominic Rhodes. Later, the Colts sealed the win with kicker Adam Vinatieri nailing the game-winning 47-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers
Trying to avoid an 0–3 start, the Vikings stayed at home for a Week 3 duel with the Carolina Panthers. Due to a poor performance, QB Tarvaris Jackson was benched in favor of veteran QB Gus Frerotte.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers
In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Panthers kicker John Kasay got a 43-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Carolina increased its lead with RB Jonathan Stewart getting a 2-yard TD run. The Vikes would respond with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 28-yard field goal, along with CB Antoine Winfield sacking Panthers QB Jake Delhomme, fumbling the ball, and Winfield returning that fumble 19-yards for a touchdown just before halftime, the key play in the Viking victory. Head coach Brad Childress said a day later that Winfield had a half-second left before it was ruled an incomplete pass. In the third quarter, the Vikings got the lead as Frerotte completed a 34-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota sealed its victory with Longwell nailing a 32-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 4: at Tennessee Titans
Coming off their home win over the Panthers, the Vikings flew to LP Field for a Week 4 interconference duel with the Tennessee Titans. In the first quarter, Minnesota trailed early as Titans kicker Rob Bironas got a 20-yard field goal, while RB Chris Johnson got a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Vikes responded with RB Adrian Peterson getting a 28-yard TD run. However, Tennessee responded with Bironas kicking a 32-yard field goal, along with RB LenDale White getting a 1-yard TD run. The Vikings closed out the half with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 42-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 4: at Tennessee Titans
In the third quarter, the Titans increased their lead with Bironas nailing a 49-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota tried to rally as Peterson got a 3-yard TD run, but Tennessee pulled away with Johnson's 6-yard TD run.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Titans, the Vikings flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 5 Monday Night duel with the New Orleans Saints. In the game, QB Gus Frerotte was making his first MNF start since 1997 (when he was with the Washington Redskins).


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
In the first quarter, the Vikes trailed early as Saints QB Drew Brees completed a 17-yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson. Minnesota would respond with CB Antoine Winfield returning a blocked field goal 59 yards for a touchdown, the first (and longest) ever in franchise history. New Orleans would answer with kicker Martín Gramática getting a 35-yard field goal, yet the Vikings replied with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 53-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Vikes took the lead on a trick play as RB Chester Taylor completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe, along with Longwell kicking a 33-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
In the third quarter, the Saints began to rally as RB Reggie Bush returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, New Orleans took the lead with Gramática's 53-yard field goal and Bush's 64-yard punt return for a touchdown. Afterwards, Minnesota answered with Frerotte completing a 33-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian, along with Longwell nailing the game-winning 30-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
Antoine Winfield had a big game. In addition to his touchdown off of a blocked field goal, he had 8 tackles and a sack (with a forced fumble recovery).


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
This was also the first time in NFL history that a game had a combination of a blocked field goal, a TD pass by a non-quarterback, two field goals of 50+ yards, and two punts returned for touchdowns.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
Coming off their Monday night road win over the Saints, the Vikings went home for a Week 6 NFC North duel with the Detroit Lions. In the first quarter, the Vikes got an early lead as Lions QB Dan Orlovsky unintentionally ran out of the back of his own end zone, giving Minnesota a safety which Orlovsky didn't know why the whistles were blown. In the second quarter, Detroit got the lead as kicker Jason Hanson got a 40-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions
In the third quarter, the Lions increased their lead as Orlovsky completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Calvin Johnson. The Vikings answered with QB Gus Frerotte completing an 86-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian. In the end of the fourth quarter, the Vikes got in field goal range due to a controversial pass interference call on Leigh Bodden. The Vikes sealed the win with kicker Ryan Longwell nailing the game-winning 26-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 7: at Chicago Bears
Coming off their divisional home win over the Lions, the Vikings flew to Soldier Field for a Week 7 NFC North duel with the Chicago Bears. In the first quarter, the Vikes drew first blood as RB Adrian Peterson got a 1-yard TD run. The Bears would respond with QB Kyle Orton completing an 18-yard TD pass to TE Greg Olsen, along with RB Garrett Wolfe returning a blocked punt 17 yards for a touchdown. Minnesota would respond with QB Gus Frerotte completing a 24-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 7: at Chicago Bears
In the second quarter, it would be back and forth. Chicago kicker Robbie Gould would get a 26-yard field goal, while Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell got a 42-yard field goal. Bears CB Zack Bowman would recover a fumble in Minnesota's endzone for a touchdown, while Vikings RB Chester Taylor got a 1-yard TD run. Chicago would close out the half as Gould got a 48-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 7: at Chicago Bears
In the third quarter, the Bears got the lead again as WR Rashied Davis recovered a fumble within Minnesota's endzone for a touchdown. The Vikes would reply as Peterson got a 54-yard TD run. Chicago would then strike again as Orton completed a 51-yard TD pass to WR Marty Booker. In the fourth quarter, the Bears struck again as RB Matt Forte got a 1-yard TD run. Minnesota tried to rally as Longwell nailed a 23-yard field goal, along with Frerotte completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian. However, Chicago's defense stepped up and prevented the Vikes from tying the game.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 7: at Chicago Bears
With the loss, the Vikings went into their bye week at 3–4.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 7: at Chicago Bears
The 89 combined points became the highest single-game scoring total in the history of the Vikes/Bears rivalry.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 9: vs. Houston Texans
Coming off their bye week, the Vikings played a Week 9 interconference duel at home against the Houston Texans. In the first quarter, the Vikes drew first blood as RB Adrian Peterson got a 1-yard TD run. The Texans responded with CB Jacques Reeves returning an interception 44 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Minnesota responded with QB Gus Frerotte completing an 8-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice and a 49-yard TD pass to WR Bernard Berrian.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 9: vs. Houston Texans
In the third quarter, Houston started to rally as QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR David Anderson. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings answered with Frerotte completing a 25-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. The Texans tried to come back as Rosenfels completed a 14-yard TD pass to WR Andre Johnson. Fortunately, Minnesota's defense stiffened for the victory.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 10: vs. Green Bay Packers
Coming off their win over the Texans, the Vikings stayed at home for a Week 10 NFC North rematch with the Green Bay Packers. In the first quarter, the Vikes drew first blood as QB Gus Frerotte completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice. The Packers would respond with RB Ryan Grant getting a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Minnesota increased their lead with kicker Ryan Longwell (former Packer) getting a 54-yard field goal, along with the Vikings picking up back-to-back safeties. The first one came when QB Aaron Rodgers committed intentional grounding in his own endzone, with the second one coming from DE Jared Allen sacking Rodgers in his own endzone. Green Bay would close out the half with kicker Mason Crosby getting a 47-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 10: vs. Green Bay Packers
In the third quarter, the Vikes increased their lead as Frerotte completed a 47-yard TD pass to RB Chester Taylor. However, the Packers took the lead as safety Nick Collins returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown, along with CB/KR Will Blackmon returning a punt 65 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, the Packers increased their lead as Crosby nailed a 40-yard field goal. The Vikings regained the lead as RB Adrian Peterson got a 29-yard TD run. Green Bay did manage to get a late drive going, yet Crosby's 52-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right, preserving head coach Brad Childress' first win over the Packers.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 11: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coming off their divisional home win over the Packers, the Vikings flew to Raymond James Stadium for a Week 11 duel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the first quarter, the Vikings struck first as kicker Ryan Longwell got a 43-yard field goal. The Buccaneers responded with kicker Matt Bryant getting a 39-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Minnesota answered with QB Gus Frerotte completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade. Tampa Bay would reply with Bryant making a 26-yard field goal. The Vikings closed out the half with Longwell getting a 26-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 11: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the third quarter, the Buccaneers tied the game with FB B. J. Askew getting a 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay took the lead as Bryant nailed a 29-yard and a 26-yard field goal. Minnesota tried to rally, but the Buccaneers' defense was too much to overcome.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Buccaneers, the Vikings flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 12 interconference duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, the Vikes got off to a fast start as LB Napoleon Harris returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown, while RB Chester Taylor got a 3-yard TD run. The Jaguars would respond with QB David Garrard completing an 8-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams. Minnesota would answer with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 54-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Jacksonville would get the period's only points as kicker Josh Scobee made a 21-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars
In the third quarter, the Vikings replied with Longwell making a 32-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota pulled away as Longwell nailed a 22-yard field goal, while RB Adrian Peterson got a 16-yard TD run. Afterwards, the Jaguars were given a safety when Vikings punter Chris Kluwe ran out of the back of his endzone.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears
Coming off their road win over the Jaguars, the Vikings went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a Week 13 NFC North rematch with the Chicago Bears, with first place in the division on the line. In the first quarter, Chicago would strike first with QB Kyle Orton completing a 65-yard TD pass to WR Devin Hester. The Vikings would answer back in the second quarter with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 23-yard field goal. Later in the quarter, the Vikings defense would come up big with a goal line stand.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears
DE Jared Allen made the key tackle just an inch short of the end zone on fourth-and-goal. On the very next play, QB Gus Frerotte ran a play action fake from his own endzone and found former Bears WR Bernard Berrian for a 99-yard touchdown pass. This tied an NFL record for the longest pass from scrimmage and it was the first-ever longest offensive touchdown play in franchise history. It was also the eleventh time in NFL history that a 99-yard play was made.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears
Then, with 1:09 left until halftime, Frerotte found TE Jim Kleinsasser for a 21-yard gain to just inside the one-yard line. The play was originally ruled a touchdown, but was officially reviewed and it was determined that he was just short of the goal line. On the next play however, Frerotte got the touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 44 seconds left until the half.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears
In the third quarter, both teams traded blows. The Bears would answer with Orton completing a 2-yard TD pass to RB Matt Forté, while Minnesota answered with RB Chester Taylor getting a 21-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Vikes pulled away as RB Adrian Peterson got a 1-yard TD run, while Longwell nailed a 27-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 13: vs. Chicago Bears
With the win, the Vikings improved to 7–5 and took first place in the NFC North for the first time since early in the 2007 season.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Detroit Lions
Fresh off their divisional home win over the Bears on Sunday night, the Vikings flew to Ford Field for a Week 14 NFC North rematch with the winless Detroit Lions. Late in the first quarter, Minnesota would trail as Lions kicker Jason Hanson got a 25-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Detroit increased its lead as Hanson got a 23-yard field goal. The Vikings closed out the half with a 35-yard field goal from kicker Ryan Longwell.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 14: at Detroit Lions
In the third quarter, Minnesota would take the lead as RB Chester Taylor got a 17-yard TD run. The Lions would reply with QB Daunte Culpepper (a former Viking) completing a 70-yard TD pass to wide receiver Calvin Johnson. In the fourth quarter, the Vikings regained the lead as QB Tarvaris Jackson completed an 11-yard TD pass to TE Visanthe Shiancoe. Detroit tried to rally as Hanson nailed a 39-yard field goal, yet Longwell helped Minnesota pull away with a 50-yard field goal, his fifth 50+ yarder of the season.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Arizona Cardinals
Coming off their hotly contested road win over the Lions, the Vikings flew to the desert for a Week 15 duel with the newly crowned NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals. Early in the first quarter, the Vikings got on the board first with a punt returned 82 yards by Bernard Berrian for a touchdown. Later in the first quarter, the Vikings increased their lead with QB Tarvaris Jackson completing a 41-yard TD pass to Berrian. The Vikings closed out the first quarter with Jackson completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Sidney Rice. In the second quarter, the Vikings increased their lead with Jackson completing an 11-yard TD pass to RB Chester Taylor for the only score of the period.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Arizona Cardinals
In the third quarter, Arizona tried to rally as QB Kurt Warner completed a 50-yard TD pass to WR Jerheme Urban. Later in the quarter, the Vikings tried to put the game away with a 34-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Longwell, only to have it blocked and Arizona returning it 62 yards for a touchdown by CB Roderick Hood. Finally, the Vikings put the game away for good with Jackson completing a 59-yard TD pass to WR Bobby Wade. Arizona tried to rally in the final minutes of the game, but on first-and-goal, they ran out of time.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 15: at Arizona Cardinals
With the win, the Vikings improved to 9–5 and to a one-game lead over the Bears in the NFC North. If the Vikings won in week 16 against Atlanta or Chicago lost against Green Bay, the Vikings would clinch their 17th division title, and their first since 2000.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Coming off their road rout of the Cardinals, the Vikings went home for a Week 16 battle with the Atlanta Falcons; a win would give the Vikings their first division title since 2000, and their first NFC North title. Minnesota trailed early in the first quarter as Falcons running back Michael Turner got a 1-yard touchdown run. The Vikings would respond with quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completing a 21-yard touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. However, Atlanta would answer in the second quarter with quarterback Matt Ryan completing an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back Jerious Norwood, followed by kicker Jason Elam's 22-yard field goal.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 16 vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons would further increase their lead in the third quarter as offensive guard Justin Blalock recovered Ryan's fumble in the endzone for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Minnesota tried to rally as kicker Ryan Longwell nailed a 29-yard field goal, followed by Jackson's 17-yard touchdown pass to Shiancoe. However, Atlanta's defense prevented any further comeback from happening.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 17 vs. New York Giants
Coming into their final game of the season against the New York Giants, the Vikings needed a win or a Chicago Bears loss to clinch the NFC North division title. The scoring began early in the second quarter when Ryan Longwell kicked a 48-yard field goal. The Vikings continued the scoring with a 67-yard run by Adrian Peterson, the second longest of his career thus far. The Giants responded with a 51-yard John Carney field goal. The Giants continued the scoring with two John Carney field goals from 30 and 42 yards respectively to round out the end of the second quarter.


2008 Minnesota Vikings season, Regular season, Game summaries, Week 17 vs. New York Giants
In the third quarter, the Giants took the lead when David Carr threw a 23-yard pass to Domenik Hixon, then added a 20-yard John Carney field goal early in the fourth quarter, making for a Giants nine-point lead. The Vikings came back with a 54-yard pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Bernard Berrian and clinched the win when Ryan Longwell nailed a 50-yard, game-winning field goal as time expired.