Pullman, WA- A slow start and a devastating third period cost the Portland State Vikings, as the Washington State Cougars rolled to their first win of the season, 48-9.
Portland State made a pair of turnovers in their first four plays from scrimmage. One was costly, one was not. Drew Hubel threw an interception on the opening play of the game. For the Cougars, Christopher Ivory scored from five yards out three plays later, giving WSU the lead.
After a Viking fumble on the next series, the defense responded. Junior safety Chris Assily made an interception, and the sent the PSU on its first scoring drive. Danny Urrego kicked a 23-yard field goal to make it 7-3.
That 78-yard drive was the offensive highlight of the first half for the Vikings, who otherwise struggled to sustain a series. Defensively, PSU forced four turnovers, but went into halftime trailing 17-3, as the Cougars took advantage of good first-half field position.
Washington State took the second half kickoff and scored quickly on a Gary Rogers to Brandon Gibson 43-yard touchdown pass. That lifted the Cougars lead to 24-3, and the Vikings never got back into it. WSU tacked on two more touchdowns and a field goal in the third period while rolling up 238 yards of offense on 24 plays.
Tygue Howland, in relief, tossed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Lavonte Kirven in the third as one of few highlights for the Vikings. At that point, it was 41-9, and the Cougars had it well in hand.
An early fourth-period score made it 48-9, as Washington State improved to 1-3 on the season. The Vikings dropped to 1-2 in their three non-conference games.
Portland State was outgained 638 to 246 by the Cougars. Despite forcing four Washington State turnovers, the Vikings couldn't do anything with them. PSU was just 1-13 on third-down plays, while WSU was 8-14.
Junior slot receiver Aaron Woods had seven receptions for 96 yards to lead the Vikings. On defense, Reggie Jones had 10 tackles, two interceptions and one pass breakup
GAME NOTES: Portland State knocked out Washington State's starting and backup quarterbacks with big hits. Kevin Lopina went down in the first half on a sack by Eloka Anyaorah, then Gary Rogers was injured on a hit by Aaron Dickson that drew a flag in the third period... PSU is now 0-7 all-time against Pac-10 teams, and 2-24 and NCAA I FBS teams... the Vikings open Big Sky Conference play next week at Sacramento State in a 2 p.m. game. Radio airtime is 1 p.m. on AM 910 KTRO. Portland State returns home on Oct. 4 to face Eastern Washington.
