MINNEAPOLIS -- Bulldozing Leroy Hoard has been the perfect complement to speedy Robert Smith in the Minnesota Vikings' backfield since joining the team in 1996.

	Leroy Hoard ran past the 49ers defense for 105 yards and a touchdown Sunday.

On Sunday, Hoard had to do most of the legwork himself, and he responded with one of the best games of his career.

Hoard rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown in place of the injured Smith to help Minnesota rout San Francisco 40-16 at the Metrodome.

Hoard, however, said he shouldn't receive too much of the credit.

"It's easy to point out one guy and say, 'That's why the Vikings won,' " Hoard said. "But that's not the case. Everything was better today. The entire offense played better. I was just one of the pieces."

With Smith recovering from a hernia operation, Minnesota (3-4) still rushed for 155 yards, well above its average of 103 through the first six games.

And despite having Hoard in the starting lineup instead of Smith, members of the Vikings offensive line said they didn't alter their blocking schemes at all.

"We didn't block any differently, we just blocked better," tackle Korey Stringer said.

Stringer, a native of Ohio who played college ball at Ohio State, said he has admired Hoard for a long time.

"Leroy is a proven back in this league," Stringer said. "I used to watch him when I was in high school, and he was with the Cleveland Browns. I knew he was good even then."

Veteran guard Randall McDaniel said the Vikings won Sunday because a lot of people did their jobs.

"Robert's down right now, but we really didn't miss a step with Leroy," said McDaniel. "We always have faith in Leroy."

Hoard's 105 yards came on 17 carries, a 6.2 average per carry, and marked his fifth career 100-yard game. It was his third with Minnesota, and his first since gaining 101 yards against Tampa Bay on Dec. 15, 1996.

While Smith gets most of the carries and yardage for the Vikings, Hoard has been a valuable short-yardage runner, especially around the goal line, and blocker.

"That's what I'm here for," said Hoard, who had the third-best rushing game of his career. "I try to be the best at what I do in the league, whether it's running inside or picking up the blitz."

Hoard also had a fumble in the second quarter that was returned 71 yards by cornerback Darnell Walker for the 49ers' only touchdown.

That score gave San Francisco a 10-7 lead, but Jeff George responded with an 80-yard scoring toss to Matthew Hatchette, who blew past Walker on first down to put the Vikings ahead for good at 14-10.

Hoard wasn't the only running back who performed well for Minnesota. Moe Williams, the Vikings' third-round draft pick in 1996, gained 25 yards on six carries and had a 9-yard touchdown run through a gaping hole in the third quarter after Hoard had to leave the game with a leg cramp.

"I said 'Thanks' to Leroy, but give the offensive line the credit," said Williams. "That hole was huge. Some of the holes were so big anyone could have run through them."

Tackle Todd Steussie said the game was the most physical one played by the offensive line this year and that no one was surprised by Hoard's performance.

"Leroy's been around here a long time, and we know what he can do," Steussie said. "When he comes in it's a different style than Robert, but we don't have to adjust anything because we've seen him everyday in practice."