Minneapolis, MN (My Sportsbook) - Jesse Holley's 82-yard punt return with just under three minutes to go in regulation lifted the Dallas Cowboys to a 35-31 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason finale for both clubs.

Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre did not play Friday, but was disciplined for his illegal block in Monday night's 17-10 win over Houston. According to multiple media outlets, the NFL fined Favre $10,000 for his crackback block on the Texans' Eugene Wilson. Favre was assessed a 15-yard penalty on the play.

Tarvaris Jackson completed half of his four attempts through the air, including a touchdown pass to Jeff Dugan. Sage Rosenfels threw for 115 yards on 7-of-15 efficiency as the Vikings (3-1) failed in their bid for a perfect preseason.

Quarterback Tony Romo was among a handful of Dallas starters that sat out. Veteran Jon Kitna got the start under center, completing 9-of-14 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a pick and committed a fumble. On both occasions, Minnesota transformed the turnovers into points.

Rudy Carpenter was 12-of-18 passing and finished with 125 yards and a TD for Dallas (2-2), which opens the regular season on September 13th when it visits the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings open the same day at the Cleveland Browns.

Kitna's five-yard strike to Kevin Ogletree opened the scoring, then Minnesota tied the game on a 36-yard pass play between Jackson and Dugan with a little over seven minutes to go in the first quarter.

Ian Johnson's one-yard plunge and a Darius Reynaud 81-yard punt return gave the Vikings a 21-7 lead in the second frame.

Pat Watkins picked Rosenfels off on the first play of the second half and rumbled 23 yards to the end zone. On the subsequent series, new Vikings QB John David Booty had his first pass attempt intercepted by Steve Octavien and he ran 44 yards for the touchdown.

Johnson's second TD run restored the lead for Minnesota and Ryan Longwell kicked a 41-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 31-21.

Dallas trimmed the deficit to four points when Carpenter and Scott Chandler hooked up for a four-yard touchdown.

Game Notes

Johnson gained 61 yards on 17 carries...John Phillips amassed 75 yards on three receptions for Dallas.