Portland, OR-Those who saw last Saturday's Big Sky Conference game at PGE Park saw nothing less than the highest scoring NCAA game in history. That's right... in history. Despite the Vikings losing 73-68 to Weber State, it was a remarkable night all around, as Viking quarterback Drew Hubel passed for an NCAA I FCS record-tying nine touchdowns. Hubel was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week and The Sports Network and College Sporting News National Player of the Week today as a result.
Hubel was the biggest star in a night that had a galaxy of stars. The true freshman from Corvallis was making his first career start and playing in just his third game. His performance is hard to put too big an exclamation on, but we'll try. Hubel merely completed 35 of 56 passes for 485 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions. That's right... nine touchdowns to tie the NCAA I FCS record first set by Willie Totten of Mississippi Valley State in 1984 (and, of course, break the Portland State (8) and Big Sky (7) record for TD passes in a game).
Hubel's total of 485 yards ranks as fifth-highest in a single game in PSU history. He entered the contest just 13-17 for 111 yards and one touchdown in two mop-up appearances this season.
Hubel and Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins shared Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honors. Higgins completed 22 of 36 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
The 141-point game broke the previous mark of 136 set by Boise State and Nevada on Oct. 14 of this year. However, that game took four overtimes for BSU to win, 69-67. The FCS mark was 125 points, a 64-61 Sacramento State win over Cal State Northridge in 2000.
The total of 20 touchdowns in the game also broke the record of 19 set in the Oct. 14 games. PSU and Weber State scored 10 touchdowns each.
The game began innocently enough with just 10 points scored in the first period as Portland State held at 7-3 lead. But the Wildcats exploded for 35 points in the second period. In fact, 55 total points were scored in the period. At one point, PSU scored three touchdowns in the span of 2:02 game time.
There were 1,189 yards of offense in the game, which was actually short of the total in a previous PSU/WSU game. In 2001, the Vikings beat Weber State 65-43 in a game featuring 1,264 yards of offense. That was the previous highest scoring game by two teams combined in PSU history.
Other stars from Saturday's touchdown-fest:
SR WR Tremayne Kirkland, 13 receptions, 177 yards, 4 touchdowns
SR WR David Lewis, 8 receptions, 114 yards, 4 touchdowns
SR LB Jordan Senn, 16 tackles
JR LB Andy Schantz, 14 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, forced fumble and 84-yard fumble return for TD
For Weber State:
QB Cameron Higgins, 22-36-2-334-4TD, 9-106-3 rushing
RB Trevyn Smith, 38-225-1
WR Mike Phillips, 8-131-2
WR Bryant Eteuati, 341 all-purpose yards
Northern Colorado cornerback Quincy Wofford is the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week. Northern Colorado kicker Zak Bigelow and Weber State returner Bryant Eteuati are the Co-Special Teams Players of the Week.
