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Greeley, CO - Northern Colorado mounted a game-winning drive in the final minute against Portland State, pulling out a 35-32 victory over the ninth-ranked Vikings at Nottingham Field.
The Bears went 88 yards in five plays, with Trae Riek scoring on a two-yard touchdown run with just 23 seconds to play. That comeback nullified a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback by the Vikings. PSU was down 28-17 with 10 minutes to go in the game, but scored twice, including a two-point conversion. That had the Vikings ahead 32-28.
However, Jacob Knipp completed a 58-yard pass to Alex Wesley in the first play of the final drive. Four plays later, Riek made the decisive score.
The loss dropped Portland State to 7-2 on the season, 4-2 in the Big Sky Conference, ending a four-game winning streak. Northern Colorado improved to 5-4, 3-4 in the Big Sky.
It wasn't quite the same PSU team that has rolled up a great season. The Vikings lost the turnover battle for the first time all year, giving away the ball twice, and forcing only one turnover. PSU got off to a slow start, falling behind 14-0, and allowed nearly 500 yards of offense to the Bears.
When Northern Colorado scored two quick touchdowns in the first quarter, the Vikings were faced with their largest deficit of the season.
Portland State cut that lead in half late in the quarter on an 11-yard touchdown run by Steven Long.
The Bears moved the lead back to two touchdowns with a 13-play, 67-yard drive early in the second quarter. Knipp scored on a one-yard dive.
But the Vikings were able to score the last 10 points of the half and get back into the game. First, Jonathan Gonzales nailed a 35-yard field goal. Then, quarterback Alex Kuresa put together a perfect two-minute drill, completing 5-5 passes. The final two completions were an 11-yarder on fourth-and-four to Darnell Adams, followed by a 19-yard touchdown to Adams. That got the Vikings to halftime down only 21-17.
Northern Colorado got the first big break of the game early in the third quarter. Kuresa dropped back to pass but was bumped when he tried to go into the throwing motion. The ball came loose and was recovered by Bears' defensive end Mikhail Dubose, who returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.
Trailing 28-17 in the fourth quarter, the Vikings came to life. Kuresa hit a wide-open Adams on a 64-yard fly pattern for another touchdown to complete a 95-yard drive. Then a Statue of Liberty play allowed David Jones to run in a two-point conversion. That closed the gap to 28-25 with 9:41 to go.
A moment later the defense made its biggest play of the game. Beau Duronslet hit Knipp on a safety blitz as he released the football. The ball fluttered in the air long enough for Patrick Onwuasor to run under it for his eighth interception of the season. The Vikings took over at their own 40-yard line.
Long, scored again, wrapping up a 60-yard drive with a 25-yard TD run and PSU had its first lead of the game at 32-28 with 5:17 left in the game.
Portland State had a chance to run out the clock late, but was stopped and had to punt it away with 1:03 left in the game. That set up the Bears' game-winning score.
The Vikings had exactly 500 yards of offense with 243 on the ground and 257 through the air. Northern Colorado had 483 yards of offense.
David Jones had a hard-earned 110 yards rushing on 25 carries, with Long getting 81 yards on 13 runs. Kuresa completed 20-31 passes for 257 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Adams made three grabs for 94 yards and two scores.
Riek finished with 25 carries for 146 yards and the decisive touchdown. Knipp was 18-30 for 270 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Onwuasor had nine tackles, one for loss, and an interception for the Viking defense. Linebacker Jeremy Lutali added nine tackles.
GAME NOTES: Portland State lost a Big Sky game in Greeley for the first time. PSU is 3-1 all-time in Big Sky game at Northern Colorado. The Vikings lead the Big Sky series 5-3… Portland State returns to the City of Roses next Saturday for its final regular season home game. The Vikings host Southern Utah in a game key to the Big Sky Conference title chase. Kickoff is 2:05 p.m. at Providence Park.
