Peterson rewrites history 11/05/2007 See All News Vikings rookie RB sets single-game rushing mark vs. Chargers The San Diego Chargers Antonio Cromartie scored a record-breaking 109-yard touchdown at the end of the first half of yesterday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. For the latest updates from the Pro Football Hall of Fame sign up for our FREE e-newsletter. Click here>>> But, by the end of the game, it was the Vikings’ exciting rookie running back Adrian Peterson who stole the show. After rushing for a mere 43 yards in the first half, Peterson exploded for 253 yards in the second half to establish the new single-game rushing record. His record-setting performance of an astonishing 296 yards included touchdown runs of 1, 64, and 46 yards, as the Vikings downed the Chargers, 35-17. Peterson broke, by one yard, the previous record held by Jamal Lewis who rushed for 295 yards as a member of the Baltimore Ravens on September 14, 2003. Yesterday’s output marked the fifth 100-yard effort and the second 200-yard game in Peterson’s young career of just eight games. If he maintains the pace he is on, Peterson would not only shatter Eric Dickerson’s rookie record of 1,808 yards but he would also become just the sixth runner in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards in a single season. Here's the chronology of record holders beginning with Hall of Famer Cliff Battles, who was the first player in NFL history to rush for 200 yards in a game. Adrian Peterson Jamal Lewis Corey Dillon Walter Payton 296 295 278 275 Date Nov. 4, 2007 Sept. 14, 2003 Oct. 22, 2000 Nov. 20, 1977 Opponent San Diego Chargers Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Minnesota Vikings 1st Quarter 6-27, 1 TD (1) 10-118, 1 TD (82) 4-58 13-77 2nd Quarter 7-16 6-62 5-19 13-67, 1 TD (1) 3rd Quarter 8-107, 1 TD (64) 6-15 7-93 8-48 4th Quarter 9-146, 1 TD (46) 8-100, 1TD (63) 6-108, 2 TDs (65, 41) 6-83 Total 30-296, 3 TDs 30-295, 2 TDs 22-278, 2 TDs 40-275, 1 TD 273 yds. - O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions, Nov. 25, 1976 250 yds. - O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots, Sept. 16, 1973 247 yds. - Willie Ellison, Los Angeles Rams vs. New Orleans Saints, Dec. 5, 1971 243 yds. - Cookie Gilchrist, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets, Dec. 8, 1963 237 yds. - Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns vs. Los Angeles Rams, Nov. 24, 1957 237 yds. - Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 19, 1961 233 yds. - Tom Wilson, Los Angeles Rams vs. Green Bay Packers, Dec. 16, 1956 218 yds. - Gene Roberts, New York Giants vs. Chicago Cardinals, Nov. 12, 1950 215 yds. - Cliff Battles, Boston Redskins vs. New York Giants, Oct. 8, 1933 Related links: Eric Dickerson’s rookie season, 1983 Photo Gallery: Vikings runners | 1800-yard rushers NFL.com Game Center: Vikings 35, Chargers 17 Back to news