Box Score
HTM Boxscore

Portland, OR - A Viking offense that couldn't be stopped all night, was unable to get the final yard it needed on the final play of the game, as Portland State lost to Southern Utah, 49-42, at JELD-WEN Field.

The loss in the Big Sky Conference opener dropped the Vikings to 1-3 on the season, 0-1 in BSC play. Southern Utah is now 2-2, 1-0.

PSU led big early and maintained it into the third period until the Thunderbirds finally tied it up at 28, then 35, then 42. With 587 total yards the Vikings were only undone by four turnovers, two by the offense and two by special teams. That was costly as SUU scored 17 points off those mistakes to get back in the game.

With the score tied at 42-42 and 8:06 left in the game, the Thunderbirds mounted a 14-play, 69-yard drive that chewed up 6:31 of the clock. Fullback Lavell Ika scored from a yard out with 1:35 left and the T-Birds had their first lead of the game at 49-42.

Still, the Vikings came right back, marching downfield and using their timeouts effectively. A 25-yard pass completion from Kieran McDonagh to Thomas Carter moved the Vikings all the way down to the SUU 14. A McDonagh run down to the two-yard line set PSU up with first-and-goal and just 18 seconds left. DJ Adams rushed to the one, but Southern Utah knocked down consecutive passes in the endzone by McDonagh. Finally, on fourth-and-goal at the one, McDonagh tried a quarterback sneak but couldn't break the plane of the goal line as time expired.

The loss nullified several big offensive performances. The Vikings jumped to a 21-3 lead in the first period behind a balanced run-pass attack. At one point, PSU had a 220-34 advantage in total offense. But, Southern Utah gradually chipped away behind the passing of Brad Sorensen.

PSU rushed for 317 yards and passed for 270. Adams had 15 carries for 94 yards and one touchdown. Shaquille Richard, who started at tailback, rushed 14 times for 93 yards and two scores.

McDonagh completed 23 of 37 passes for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 52 yards.

After the PSU defense stifled Southern Utah early, Sorensen gradually gained momentum. The senior QB completed 27 of 36 passes for 311 yards, four touchdowns and one pick. Wide receiver Mitch Jessop hurt the Vikings with nine receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Southern Utah finished the game with 397 total yards, but the four-to-one turnover advantage made a huge difference.

PSU linebacker Khalil Bass made 14 tackles with one for loss. Ian Sluss added 12 tackles and made a big interception in the third period that led to a Viking touchdown. Marquis Jackson made two quarterback sacks for the Vikings.

GAME NOTES: Portland State loses to Southern Utah for the first time at JELD-WEN Field. The Vikings lead the all-time series 8-2, 5-1 in Portland… this was the first-ever Big Sky game for Southern Utah, a new member of the league… Carter had a team-high six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings… Portland State travels to Northern Arizona next Saturday for another Big Sky Conference game. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at JL Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.