MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- Cam Newton threw for three touchdowns and ran for another Sunday, sparking the Carolina Panthers to a 35-10 rout of grieving Minnesota.
Newton went 20-of-26 through the air for 242 yards and carried the ball nine times for 30 yards as Carolina (2-3) rolled to its second victory in three games.
Mike Tolbert caught one of Newton's scoring strikes and added a rushing touchdown while Brandon LaFell hauled in four passes for 107 yards with a score in the victory.
Steve Smith also made a TD grab for the Panthers.
The Vikings (1-4), emotionally drained after the Friday beating death of star running back Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son, fell after downing Pittsburgh in their previous game.
Peterson played despite the tragedy and ended with 62 rushing yards on 10 carries and three catches for 21 yards.
Matt Cassel went 32-of-44 through the air for 241 yards, one touchdown and two picks in the loss.
