The Sports Xchange

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde had some big shoes to fill Monday night when he made his first career NFL start, taking over for Frank Gore, the team’s all-time leading rusher.

Hyde stepped into the spotlight and rushed for a career-high 168 yards and two touchdowns, leading the 49ers to a 20-3 season-opening victory against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi’s Stadium in new San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula’s debut.

Hyde, who carried 26 times, scored on a 10-yard run in the second quarter and a 17-yard run in the fourth.

“I just tried to be the momentum-builder for our offense,” Hyde said.

The 49ers lost Gore as a free agent to the Indianapolis Colts after last season. Hyde, who backed up Gore last year as a rookie, took full advantage of the team’s new zone blocking scheme.

“I love it,” Hyde said. “I feel like I was back at Ohio State tonight. It felt good. I have an awesome line, they do a great job of zone blocking and make it easy for me to hit those cut-back lanes.”

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who missed the final 15 games last season over child-abuse charges, rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries in his first game since Sept. 7, 2014.

“This wasn’t the way we expected it to go,” Peterson said. “It will be a much different feel coming in (next week at home). You have to credit those guys on defense. They have good players, and they got the better of us.”

What we learned about the Vikings:

1. Running back Adrian Peterson could need some time to regain his all-world form after missing the final 15 games last season, especially as he is now running behind a makeshift line. Peterson gained 31 yards on 10 carries with a long of 9 yards Monday night in a 20-3 loss to San Francisco. “I felt a little hesitant a couple times coming out of the shotgun,” Peterson said. “The couple of runs I had, I felt like I could have done better. A couple of them were pretty decent.”

2. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could be in danger of a sophomore slump. In his 2015 debut Monday night against the 49ers, he completed 23 of 32 passes for 231 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. He was sacked five times and failed to connect with a number of open receivers. “I missed some easy throws tonight, throws that could have resulted in big plays,” Bridgewater said. “I just have to try and continue to get better each week.”

3. The Vikings lost the battle up front on both sides of the ball, which is a definite cause for concern. San Francisco running back Carlos Hyde gashed Minnesota for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in his first career start. The Vikings were outrushed 230 yards to 71. Minnesota’s offensive line gave up five sacks, and the defensive line produced just one sack. “San Francisco was much more physical,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. “They played faster, they executed better.”

Etc.

–RB Adrian Peterson, who missed the final 15 games last season over child-abuse chargers, rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries Monday night against San Francisco in his first game since Sept. 7, 2014. Peterson also caught three passes for 21 yards.

–WR Mike Wallace caught a team-high six passes for 63 yards in the season opener Monday night against San Francisco. Wallace, the Vikings’ top deep threat, averaged just 10.5 yards per catch with a long of 19.

–QB Teddy Bridgewater has a rough game Monday night against the 49ers. he completed 23 of 32 passes for 231 yards and no touchdowns with one interception. Bridgewater also was sacked five times.