It took only 14 minutes of the game, but senior safety Patrick Onwuasor tied a Portland State record with three pass interceptions against Montana. His performance set the tone for a 35-16 victory and earned Onwuasor Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Onwuasor intercepted Grizzlies quarterback Makena Simis three times in Montana's first four possessions last Saturday. That helped the Vikings build an early lead and eventual easy victory. Onwuasor also had eight tackles in the game as PSU held the Griz 150 yards and 11 points below their season average.    

For the season, Onwuasor has seven interceptions which is tied for first in the nation. He also has 51 tackles, ranking second on the Viking team.    

The other three Vikings to make three interceptions in a single game are Charles Herring (1975), Neil Fendall (1996) and Stanley Jackson (2007).   

Onwuasor is the fifth Viking to earn a Big Sky Player of the Week nod this year. Others include: David Jones (offense); Aaron Sibley (defense); Kahlil Dawson (special teams); and Jonathan Gonzales (special teams).

VIKINGS MOVE UP TO 10TH/9TH IN THIS WEEK'S POLLS
With a fourth straight victory last Saturday, the Portland State Vikings have now risen to 10th in nation this weeks Stats FCS Top 25 and are tied for ninth in the FCS Coaches Poll. PSU beat previously 17th-ranked Montana, 35-16, at Providence Park.

This is Portland State's highest national ranking since being ninth on Sept. 23, 2002.     

Portland State (7-1, 4-1) plays unranked Northern Colorado (4-4, 2-4) this Saturday in Greeley, CO. Game time is 11 a.m. PT. The contest will air on Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.ripcityradio.com. The Vikings then host 20th-ranked Southern Utah on Nov. 14 (6-2, 5-0) and travel to fourth-ranked Eastern Washington (6-2, 5-0) on Nov. 21.    

The only other Big Sky Conference team in the Top 25 is 22nd-ranked Montana.

The complete Top 25 and story can be found here.