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Denton, TX - For perhaps the first time in their history, the Vikings were favored going into a game against an FBS opponent. But who could have figured this?

Portland State scored on seven straight first half possessions, and continued the rout of North Texas in the second half on its home field, Apogee Stadium, 66-7. It was the biggest win by an FCS team over an FBS team in NCAA history. The previous biggest margin of victory was 58, set in 1981.

"Are you serious?" said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum when confronted with that stat after the game. "That history thing is kind of cool. We'll have to enjoy that on the way home."

Coming off the first loss of the season, Barnum was a little concerned with how his team would come back against an FBS program.

"I like how they responded," Barnum said referring to his team's narrow loss to North Dakota. "You have to be happy for this crew and how they responded from last week."

The win improved the Vikings to 4-1 on the season, and marked the first time in the program's history it has beaten two FBS opponents in the same year (Washington State). It is the first time an FCS team has beaten two FBS teams in the same season for at least two years. 

Portland State had its most complete performance on offense, defense and special teams. The Vikings totaled 670 yards of offense and held North Texas under 200 and out of the end zone until the final minute of the game. A special teams play early in the first quarter got everything started.

Zack Berg blocked a Mean Green punt in their second series and the Vikings recovered at the North Texas 43. Three plays later, Darnell Adams caught a 34-yard touchdown pass on a flea flicker.

PSU added seven more on a more methodical 8-play, 87-yard drive later in the quarter. Running back Nate Tago wrapped up the series on a 15-yard draw play for the score and a 14-0 lead.

The Vikings out-gained North Texas 212 to 32 in the first quarter.

Tago scored again less than a minute into the second quarter on a two-yard burst. Following another three-and-out, David Jones had a 70-yard burst for a touchdown. Thomas Carter caught a 56-yard bomb from quarterback Alex Kuresa and Jones tacked on another short TD run. 

When Jonathan Gonzales booted a 46-yard field goal in the final minute of the half PSU led 45-0. The Vikings had 439 yards of offense on 40 plays of the first half. North Texas had run 36 plays for a mere 67 yards, punted seven times.

Jones caught a 60-yard touchdown pass on PSU's first series of the second half at it was 52-0. When Steven Long scored on a five-yard run it was 59-0 late in the third quarter.

Kuresa completed 11-19 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 21 yards and caught a 25-yard pass. PSU had a season-high 302 passing yards.

"We had to become more creative on offense and had to put it in the air to be more competitive. We did that," said Barnum.

Jones led a rushing attack that totaled 368 yards. He had nine rushes for 134 yards and two scores. Tago also rushed for 61 yards and two touchdowns and Long had 79 yards and a score. Even Mitchell Thompson rushed for his first career TD, a 68-yard scamper early in the fourth quarter.

Safety Beau Duronslet led the team with seven tackles and defensive end Sadat Sulleyman had three tackles for loss and two sacks. The Viking defense gave up its fewest yards of the season (198).

"Our offense had been a little behind the other two phases of the game. Last week, we weren't creative enough to help these kids out and get them into the end zone. So, we looked at some things and the kids performed them. In three phases of the game against North Texas, yeah that was a pretty good outing," Barnum said. 

GAME NOTES: Portland State has won three straight road games for the first time since the 2000 season… with four wins, PSU has already bettered last year's record (3-9)... Jonathan Gonzales is now 6-6 on field goals this season… the Vikings return home and to Big Sky Conference play when they host Montana State next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. at Providence Park.