Vikings, Cowboys first met in Sioux Falls

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys battle at the Metrodome Sunday for a chance to go to the NFC Championship game, but the teams' rivalry began nearly a half decade ago in a much smaller setting -- Sioux Falls' Howard Wood Field.

The South Dakota stadium played host to the Vikings' first ever exhibition game on Aug. 5, 1961, as Dallas beat Minnesota 38-13 in front of a crowd of 4,954.

Rookie quarterback and future Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton threw his first pro touchdown during the contest.