MANKATO, Minn. — A year ago at Vikings training camp, Teddy Bridgewater often was an equal-opportunity quarterback. He was throwing balls to the offense and to the defense.

That was evident during the team’s marquee night scrimmage last August, when the then-rookie threw an ugly pick to linebacker Chad Greenway and then said his interceptions were a “huge concern.” But there was little to worry about Saturday night.

Bridgewater is a second-year man with 12 starts in the books. He looked much more composed in the team’s scrimmage at Blakeslee Stadium in front of a packed house of 10,300.

“It’s amazing to talk about the difference within a year,” Bridgewater said. “But I credit that to the coaches. They do a great job of calling plays to fit my playing skills.”

There was a quarterback battle last year between Matt Cassel and Bridgewater, and the latter didn’t look to have a good chance when he threw four interceptions in three practices early in camp. Cassel eventually won the job, but Bridgewater took over for good after Cassel suffered a broken foot in the third game.

Cassel has since been traded to Buffalo, leaving Bridgewater as the undisputed starter. He has looked good during the first week of camp.

“I think I’ve made a lot of progress,” Bridgewater said. “I’m playing faster, thinking less and as a team we’re playing together better. The chemistry is better.”

With that in mind, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer is eyeing a Super Bowl victory. He didn’t say when, but he let fans know after the scrimmage that that is his primary goal.

“We’re committed to bringing a championship to the Wilfs (owners) and the state of Minnesota,” Zimmer said to roars from the crowd.

Reasons for optimism include the continued maturation of Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson having returned after missing the final 15 games last season because of a child-abuse violation. Although there was no tackling Saturday night, Peterson took several handouts that looked as if they could have been long runs had it been a game situation.

“No doubt,” Bridgewater said. “Every time you hand it off to Adrian, it has a chance of being a touchdown. We’re glad to have him back on this team. We know what he brings to the table.”

Although strong play on offense was expected Saturday from Bridgewater and Peterson, perhaps the unsung hero of the scrimmage was wide receiver Stefon Diggs. He caught several touchdown passes, including one in which he ripped the ball out of the hands of a defender in the corner of the end zone.

“No. 14, Stefon Diggs, and to be a young guy, he’s showing what it takes to play in this league,” Bridgewater said.

Less impressed, though, was Diggs himself. The fifth-round pick who has been turning heads in the first week of camp claimed he didn’t have much of a scrimmage.

“I did OK,” Diggs said. “I feel like I didn’t win enough as far as on the outside. I got a lot of work to do as far as technique to try to get better.”

Nevertheless, the fans cheered plenty for Diggs. In fact, they cheered for just about everybody on the Vikings.

The Vikings announced shortly after the scrimmage started that the stands were full and no more fans would be admitted. Defensive end Brian Robison said it’s the best scrimmage crowd he has seen in his nine Minnesota seasons.

“To have so much support in the state of Minnesota for our football team, that means a lot for us,” Robison said. “This is the first time you get under the lights (in training camp), it brings back those juices and you want to put on a show.”

Of the 90 players on Minnesota’s active roster, only running back DuJuan Harris, wide receiver Gavin Lutman and offensive lineman Carter Bykowski sat out because of injuries. Cornerback Josh Robinson remains on the physically unable to perform list with a torn labrum.

When the scrimmage was over, Vikings players were introduced and threw footballs into the stands. After Bridgewater had thrown some tight balls during the workout, Peterson summed up the night by tossing several tight spirals to adoring fans.

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.