Portland State took care of business, running away from Cal Poly (1-7 overall, 0-5 Big Sky) in the second half to secure a 42-21 win on Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium.
The win is the fourth in the last six for PSU (4-4, 3-2) and sets up a three-game stretch that has the potential to vault the Viks into the FCS playoffs.
It all started fast, with VJ Malo driving Mustangs quarterback Spencer Brasch back 21 yards before forcing a fumble. The Viks scored touchdowns on their next two possessions to take a 14-0 lead, outgaining Cal Poly 96-17 through the first few drives.
The slop came in shortly after.
PSU fell asleep on defense on the next play as Brasch hit a short crossing route to Chris Coleman, who took the pass 75 yards to paydirt through the middle of the defense to get the Mustangs on the board.
The Viks had turnovers on four of their next five possessions but were able to limit Cal Poly to eight points and maintain a tie game at 14-14. It helped that the defense forced a pair of turnovers of its own in the stretch.
“I’ve had teams that happens to and they crumble (like) the sky is falling,” Viks coach Bruce Barnum said. “That team wasn’t. Each week now they’re expecting to win, no matter who the opponent is. “
The Portland State defense forced a turnover or a turnover on downs four of the last five Cal Poly possessions, finishing with five takeaways in the contest.
“I like how our defense played “They made a couple of big plays.”
The Viks offense took advantage late in the game, scoring touchdowns on four straight possessions, leaning on its running game as a driving wind started to play tricks with the ball in flight.
The stretch was highlighted by two touchdowns in 14 seconds, Davis Alexander rewarding an Anthony Adams interception by following his second rushing score of the day with a strike to freshman Darien Chase, who scored his first career touchdown on a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone.
Chase, who picked up a celebration penalty following the score, was forgiven for the flag by his coach following the game, Barnum noting the talented wideout’s snakebit relationship with the end zone had become a talking point in the locker room.
That score gave Portland State a 21-point lead and was the third of four straight touchdowns scored by the Viks to close the game as the pulled away for the comfortable win.
“It’s nice to win a game like that,” Barnum said. “It got sloppy. (To have) four turnovers and still win in the Big Sky, that’s not a bad day.”
Malik Walker finished with 119 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns and Alexander added two rushing touchdowns to his 198 passing yards. Jalynnee McGee also scored in his return to the lineup.
Some elements were there of the spread offense that Beau Baldwin likes to run were evident for Cal Poly in the loss, with Brasch throwing for 287 yards and two touchdowns and Coleman hauling in 140 yards receiving.
VJ Malo added five tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble to his impressive totals this season, leading the Big Sky with three forced fumbles and second with 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks as he makes a push for conference defensive player of the year.
Anthony Adams hauled in another interception to increase his total to three this year and five total takeaways. Opposite him, freshman Tyreese Shakir caught his second interception in as many games, increasing his total takeaways to four this season.
Yet, as Halloween dawns, the Viks remaining schedule is among the spookiest in the nation.
Portland State plays three top-25 ranked teams to close its season, the next two on the road against a resurgent Weber State side and Big Sky-leading Sacramento State.
Both teams have been impressive the last few weeks, but were given scares against lesser opponents on Saturday.
Every Big Sky game was close on Saturday, even the few that ended in blowouts.
No. 15 Sacramento State (6-2 overall, 5-0 Big Sky) never trailed against Northern Colorado (3-6, 2-4) but was never very far ahead, the Bears staying within three points for most of the second half.
The Hornets had 217 yards rushing in the win but struggled to contain the UNC passing attack. Bears receiver Dylan Thomas finished with four catches for 183 yards. (Greeley Tribune)
No. 23 Weber State (4-4, 3-2) was also caught in a rock fight with Idaho State (1-7, 1-5), which beat No. 9 UC Davis earlier this season and looked to give the Wildcats a run for most of the game.
Much like in Greeley, Weber State never trailed but things got hairy when Idaho State ran back a 45-yard pick-six to cut the lead to 20-17 midway through the third quarter.
Then, Idaho State made the mistake of kicking to Rashid Shaheed.
The record-setting kickoff return broke open the floodgates. The Wildcats plodded down the field for another score then blocked a punt later in the fourth quarter and fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown, pulling away for a convincing victory. (Idaho State Journal) (Ogden Standard-Examiner)
In the wildest result of the afternoon, Southern Utah (1-8, 0-6) led Montana (6-2, 3-2) for most of its contest and had a chance for a go-ahead field goal with three minutes to play but the Griz blocked the kick.
It was another close call for the Griz, who have struggled since their blistering start to the season. (Missoulian)
Northern Arizona (4-4, 3-2) held on to its slim playoff hopes with a nail-biting victory over Idaho (2-6, 1-4).
A late touchdown drive and an interception deep in their own end saved the win for the Lumberjacks, who face a similarly daunting final stretch to the season as Portland State. (Arizona Daily Sun)
While all the top teams in the Big Sky were able to grind out wins on Saturday, there were a pair of upsets in the FCS top five. Those losses, by No. 3 Southern Illinois and No. 4 Villanova, should invite a move up for the Big Sky teams that were idle this week (No. 6 Montana State, No. 7 Eastern Washington and No. 9 UC Davis).
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