Sports

Ponder and Rudolph forming early bond with Vikings

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Sep 25, 2012 at 7:04 am

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN (AP) - Christian Ponder and Kyle Rudolph became fast friends after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings a year ago. The relationship is starting to pay dividends on the field.

Three of Ponder's four touchdown passes this season have gone to the big tight end, including two in a surprising victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

On one of them, Ponder never saw a wide open Adrian Peterson in the end zone. Instead he squeezed a throw to Rudolph, who made a beautiful, one-handed catch.

Ponder says their friendship has helped forge a trust in Rudolph. The quarterback knows he can count on Rudolph to be in the right place at the right time, especially in big situations