Drew Stanton turns in second consecutive solid preseason effort for Cardinals

Aug 17, 2014, 5:20 AM | Updated: 5:21 am

Arizona Cardinals backup quarterback Drew Stanton was impressive Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium in Minnesota, recording a touchdown pass on 6-of-8 passing against the Vikings.

One week after passing for 152 yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans, Stanton logged 81 yards in the air over a quarter and a half of drives Saturday.

The quarterback was perhaps most impressive with 3:05 on the clock in the second quarter, when he found tight end Darren Fells on 4th and Goal from the 1-yard line, capping off an 11-play, six-minute drive with a touchdown. The play preceded three short-yardage rushing attempts by Stepfan Taylor, who accumulated just two yards between the trio of plays.

Stanton was forced to take a sack on the final play of the first half, ending his time under center for the day. He logged a 22-yard completion to wide receiver John Brown directly before the play.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Ted Ginn (19) tries to break a tackle by Minnesota Vikings' Rhett Ellison during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) scrambles away from Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, left, looks to catch a pass in front of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer, right, celebrates with teammate John Carlson after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer, right, runs from Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Gerald Hodges during a 1-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, right, catches a pass in front of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels, left, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, top, celebrates with teammate Jerick McKinnon (31) after catching a 51-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) runs from Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jerraud Powers, left, during a 51-yard touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Minnesota Vikings punt returner Marcus Sherels, left, runs from Arizona Cardinals long snapper Mike Leach during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) runs from Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Kenny Demens (54) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel (16) looks to pass as he is pressured by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Alex Okafor, right, during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel, left, runs from Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Sam Acho during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) catches a 1-yard touchdown pass in front of Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Chad Greenway (52) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) is pressured by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen while throwing a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer (20) runs from Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Gerald Hodges (50) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer gestures during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) forces a fumble by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jaron Brown catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings defensive back Chris Crocker (25) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rodney Smith, left, catches a 2-yard touchdown pass over Arizona Cardinals defensive back Jimmy Legree during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 30-28. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rodney Smith celebrates after catching a 2-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 30-28. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rodney Smith, left, celebrates with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) after catching a 2-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 30-28. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Arizona Cardinals running back Zach Bauman picks up a fumble and scores a touchdown in front of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Scott Crichton, left, during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 30-28. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels, right, breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brittan Golden during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 30-28. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

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