Nebraska, which finished with 292 yards on the ground, ran on 20 of its

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The quarterback, running back and left tackle are all out, likely for the whole season.The Minnesota Vikings have been playing as if nobodys missing at all.In the NFL, coach Mike Zimmer said, its adapt or you get eaten up.Injuries are a given in this game, so overcoming the loss of key players is hardly a novel accomplishment.The Vikings (4-0) have only finished the first quarter of the schedule, so their replacements have much more to prove over the long haul that they can render moot the absence of Teddy Bridgewater, Adrian Peterson and Matt Kalil.The way this team has responded to these potentially devastating setbacks, though, is the type of trait that title contenders possess.I say it all the time, because its true about this football team. Its so important to have the right kind of guys in here, Zimmer said. Guys that when it gets down to it, we fight.The damage to Bridgewaters left knee that occurred in practice on Aug. 30 caused widespread consternation, but once the Vikings were able to visit with the popular quarterback they loosened up a little.The trade for Sam Bradford was made only four days later, an instant pick-me-up for the players that signaled the organization was still serious about chasing that elusive championship.Bradford was playing so well in his debut on Sept. 18 against the rival Green Bay Packers that the departure of Peterson with damage to his right knee wasnt as demoralizing as it could have been.Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata fared relatively well filling in with Peterson out in 2014 while the child abuse case against the star running back played out.Plus, the defense has reached a new height of dominance, in its third year under Zimmer.The news, then, that Kalil would need season-ending surgery on his right hip became almost an afterthought at that point.The left tackle is crucial in the protection plan, frequently facing the opponents best and fastest pass rusher, but Kalil had clearly been struggling through the injury at less than full strength. T.J. Clemmings, who started at right tackle as a rookie last season, has held his own over the past two games.Bradford, who has yet to turn the ball over, has shown a quick release, an accurate touch and ample strength to throw deep.He has especially been confident in throwing the ball to his most-trusted options, wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph, in heavy traffic that Bridgewater was less willing to test.The Vikings beat the New York Giants 24-10 on Monday behind their most-balanced offensive production to date in 2016, rushing for a season-most 104 yards.This is the first game where the offense scored all the points, Rudolph said.We finally were able to get things rolling on offense and let them just worry about stopping people and not scoring, too.Peterson led the league in rushing last season, but for whatever reason he hasnt been as dominant since the 2012 season when he won the NFL MVP award.Hes long been more comfortable lining up deep in the backfield, but Bridgewater and now Bradford are more effective in the shotgun or pistol formations.Peterson is the type of power runner who has often thrived off wearing a defense down over the course of a game, a potentially limiting factor for the play calling with that temptation of his potential to break loose for a long gain at any time.The run blocking was poor over the first three games, so the low production wasnt necessarily a sign that Peterson has slowed down.But McKinnons versatility of style, plus a superior ability as a pass-catcher and pass-protector, just might be a better fit. Asiata is a capable complement for short-yardage situations, too.The defenses success is serving as quite the support, too.Weve got to go out there, hold ourselves to a high level, expect to go out there and score points and be efficient, Bradford said, but knowing that we dont have to go out there and score 40, 50 points a game, it makes it nice.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL LINCOLN, Neb. -- Tommy Armstrong Jr. ran for two touchdowns and threw a perfect deep ball to Alonzo Moore for another, and Nebraska pulled away in the second half to defeat Fresno State 43-10 on Saturday night for Mike Rileys 100th win as a college coach.The Cornhuskers pounded away at the Bulldogs with runs on 51 of their 64 plays, and Devine Ozigbo ran for a career-high 103 yards and two touchdowns. The biggest of Armstrongs few passes came two plays after Kieron Williams first career interception, when Moore beat his man to catch in stride a 57-yard TD early in the fourth quarter.When we run it that well, we open up a lot for the receivers, Armstrong said. When we get a chance to throw it, we have to complete them.Armstrongs second-half TD runs of 9 and 4 yards helped the Huskers turn a 14-10 halftime lead into a blowout.Fresno States Chason Virgil, who missed the last nine games in 2015 with a broken clavicle, completed his first five passes and 11 of his first 14. The Bulldogs got a scare when he banged up his left shoulder late in the first half after being driven out of bounds by linebacker Luke Gifford, who was ejected for targeting.Virgil returned to start the third quarter but didnt get much done the rest of the night against a Nebraska defense that got better as the game went on.I thought our guys went toe-to-toe with them for a pretty good bit, and then they broke our will in the fourth quarter, Bulldogs coach Tim DeRuyter said.Fresno State was without receiver DaMari Scott, who was suspended for the game because of an NCAA eligibility issue, an FSU spokesman said.The Huskers remembered punter Sam Foltz, who died in a car crash in July. When they lined up in punt formation after going three-and-out on their first series, they lined up with 10 players and no punter, and the crowd responded with loud cheers and applause. When they were flagged for delay of game after the play clock expired, Fresno State declined the delay-of-game penalty.ddddddddddddThe Huskers also had Foltzs No. 27 jersey draped over the end of their bench.THE TAKEAWAYFresno State: The Bulldogs, coming off a 3-9 season, hung with Nebraska for a half and should be improved if they can keep Virgil healthy for new offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau.They capitalized on Robert Stanleys blocked punt and a couple Nebraska penalties, and that allowed them to keep it close until the third quarter. First-year defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward can take consolation in that its unlikely his unit will go against another opponent that runs the ball as well as Nebraska.Nebraska: The game plan was perfect against an opponent that ranked 117th against the run last year, and once Armstrong and the Huskers got going in the second half, they were nearly unstoppable. Nebraska, which finished with 292 yards on the ground, ran on 20 of its first 21 plays, and Riley made good on his plan to get Armstrong more carries.Ozigbo and Terrell Newby formed a strong 1-2 combination, and freshman Tre Bryant showed up well when he got his chances late in the game. The Huskers need more discipline. They had three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in addition to an ejection for targeting for a third straight game.UP NEXT:Fresno State: The Bulldogs go from playing in one of the cathedrals of college football to hosting Sacramento State. DeRuyters Fresno teams have beaten Football Championship Subdivision opponents by an average of 26 points.Nebraska: The Huskers host Wyoming, coached by former Nebraska assistant Craig Bohl. This is no gimme. The last time the teams met, in 2013 in Lincoln, the Cowboys scored a couple late touchdowns and put a scare into the Huskers before losing 37-34.---Online: AP college football website: http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '