BOXSCORE

Ogden, UT - Heartbreak was the Viking football team's destiny for the second week in a row as Weber State scored a touchdown with 21 seconds remaining to defeat PSU, 44-41, at Stewart Stadium.

The Vikings had scored to take the lead on a 29-yard run by Connor Kavanaugh with 1:02 left in the game. The touchdown put PSU up 41-37 in a shootout of a contest.

But a 42-yard pass play to Joe Collins on WSU's ensuing drive set up the Wildcats deep in Viking territory. A few plays later Vai Tafuna rushed in from two yards out to give WSU the lead.

Still, the Vikings had a chance. After a pass play and run totaled 18 yards, PSU set up for a 65-yard field goal to tie with four seconds left. Zach Brown's kick was long and true but came up just a couple of yards short.

The loss was similar to the Vikings' 23-21 defeat to Montana on the final play of the game a week ago. PSU had scored a touchdown with 2:34 left in that one to take the lead. But, Montana made a winning field goal on the final play.

It was a disappointing way to go as Portland State totaled 600 yards of offense, but couldn't come up with a win. Weber State had little trouble moving the ball, totaling 548 in the game.

"We have a lot offensively to be proud of," said Viking Coach Nigel Burton, "Defensively, no."

The Vikings drop to 2-5 on the season, 1-3 in the Big Sky Conference. Weber State improves to 4-3, 3-2.

Kavanaugh completed 14 of 20 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed 12 times for 114 yards and another score. Kavanaugh hit Julius Thomas and Nick Hutter on long touchdown passes.

Cory McCaffrey rushed 24 times for a career-high 178 yards and two touchdowns.

Brown's missed field goal couldn't be faulted and came after making two field goal tries earlier in the game. "We had faith in the kid," said Burton. "There are not many guys out there that have a chance to make a 65-yarder. Earlier, he told me 'coach, I can make a 63-yarder'… he was right, he could have made a 63-yarder."

Manoa Latu had 11 tackles to lead the Vikings. Nathan Snow made an interception and returned it 50 yards in the first half, setting up a Viking touchdown.

GAME NOTES: There were 1,154 yards of total offensive in the game… PSU has lost three games in a row and four straight to Weber State… McCaffrey has five 100-yard games against FCS opponents… Portland State returns home to face eighth-ranked Eastern Washington next Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium. Kickoff is at 5:05 p.m. The pregame show begins at 4 p.m. on Freedom 970 AM and www.970.am.