Smith, Kaepernick lead 49ers past Vikings 17-6

By Antonio Gonzalez

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Aug. 10 2012 10:05 p.m. MDT

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick smiles on the sideline after scoring on a touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game in San Francisco, Friday, Aug. 10, 2012.

Paul Sakuma, Associated Press

Summary

Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers picked up right where they left off last season in their preseason opener.

SAN FRANCISCO — Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers picked up right where they left off last season in their preseason opener.

Smith tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Brett Swain on the opening possession, backup Colin Kaepernick ran 78 yards for a score on the next and the 49ers breezed past the Minnesota Vikings 17-6 Friday night.

Brandon Jacobs, Kendall Hunter and Rock Cartwright combined for 69 yards rushing on the first drive to lead a reloaded running back group for San Francisco (No. 4 in the AP Pro32 rankings) on a night three-time Pro Bowler Frank Gore rested.

Christian Ponder completed 4 of 9 passes for 80 yards, and Toby Gerhart ran for 31 yards for Minnesota (No. 29) in place of rehabbing starter Adrian Peterson. The Vikings offense showed promise everywhere but in the end zone, settling for field goals of 39 and 26 yards by new kicker Blair Walsh in Candlestick Park's whipping winds.

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Online: http://bigstory.ap.org/NFL-Pro32 and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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