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Cheney, WA - Best Division I team in Portland State history. It's as simple as that.
The Portland State Vikings battled the odds of a program in transition in 2015 to become one of dominance. On Saturday at Roos Field, they sealed their regular season with a satisfying 34-31 at Eastern Washington. That leaves the Vikings at 9-2 and awaiting their post-season fate, to be announced on Sunday morning by the NCAA Playoff Selection Committee.
Portland State's resume is undeniable: The first Viking team in 20 seasons in the Big Sky to win nine games; a perfect 5-0 record against nationally-ranked teams; two wins over FBS level schools, including the Pac-12's Washington State; and a school-record five road wins in one season.
PSU concludes its "first season" at 9-2, 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference, and looks ahead to the second season beginning in the playoffs. Southern Utah was able to win its finale over Northern Arizona to capture the Big Sky title at 7-1 but that in no way diminishes what the Vikings accomplished, as they beat the Thunderbirds on Nov. 14.
"I am proud of these guys, It has been a fun run," said first-year Viking Head Coach Bruce Barnum. "I think we will get a chance to start another season - season two - which hasn't happened around here in a few moons. I am happy for everyone in the program."
Both teams scored quickly in the game. The Vikings took advantage of a fumble by Eastern on the opening kickoff. David Jones scored on an 11-yard run two plays later, but PSU missed the extra point. The Eagles answered quickly on a 63-yard run by Kendrick Bourne. Then a short field goal had EWU ahead 10-6.
Jones added a 30-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter and PSU was back on top 13-10. That lead held until late in the half when All-American wide receiver Cooper Kupp got free on a 78-yard touchdown catch.
The Vikings were driving for a go-ahead score just before halftime, but Eastern's Jake Hoffman intercepted an Alex Kuresa pass near the goal. That had PSU down 17-13 at the break.
Portland State's offense never really go untracked in the first half as Kuresa was able to complete only 4-15 passes for 59 yards. The Eagles had 279 yards of offense in the half with 141 yards coming on two plays.
A 33-yard run by Jones keyed a Viking scoring drive to start the third quarter. Later, Kuresa hit Josh Kraght on a seven-yard score and the Vikings were back on top 20-17.
The Vikings built their largest lead late in the third quarter taking advantage, again, of a turnover. Defensive end Davond Dade deflected a pass that was then intercepted by Beau Duronslet. PSU took over at the Eagles' 34-yard line and marched nine plays for a score that gave the Vikings the cushion they needed. And it came on another of Barnum's many trick plays.
On third-and-goal at the Eastern 3, wide receiver Thomas Carter, a former high school quarterback, took a reverse pitch play and tossed a touchdown pass to tight end Cam Sommer. The extra point had PSU ahead 27-17 with 1:45 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles came back to score twice more in the fourth quarter. It came sandwiched around a Kuresa to Darnell Adams TD pass. Eastern's Todd Raynes picked up a Viking fumble with 5:48 to go and returned it 35 yards for a score. At that point it was 34-31 Vikings and the Eagles' crowd was back into the game.
But Portland State was able to run off 12 plays, 63 yards and enough first downs to run out the clock on Eastern Washington's season.
"The kids came out in the third quarter focused and weathered the storm of some serious emotion by an Eastern team that has won a lot of football games. In the first half they played faster than us - their defense versus their offense," Barnum said.
"The effort by our kids in the second half, I'm proudest of that."
The Vikings barely out-gained the Eagles 397-390, but held them to just over 100 yards in the second half. PSU turned four Eastern turnovers into 13 points, while the Eagles got seven points off three Viking mistakes.
David Jones rushed 27 times for 152 yards and two scores in the game. After a slow start, Kuresa came back to throw for 142 yards and two scores, while rushing for 56 yards.
Freshman linebacker AJ Schlatter had a huge game for the Vikings, making 12 tackles, including 3.5 for losses and two sacks. He also forced a fumble and made an interception. Duronslet had the other Viking interception while Zack Berg and Trent Riley recovered fumbles.
Eastern Washington, ranked 18th going into the game, ends its season at 6-5 overall, 5-3 in the Big Sky.
GAME NOTES: David Jones has recorded the 19th 1,000-yard rushing season in Portland State history. He has 1,080 yards on 169 carries and has scored eight touchdowns… the Vikings ended a three-game losing streak to Eastern Washington… on four bus trips this season (out of six overall road trips), Portland State has traveled 4,394 miles round trip to the city of the opponent (Pullman, Pocatello, San Luis Obispo, Cheney)… Portland State will find out its post-season fate on Sunday morning. The NCAA Selection Show takes place at 8 a.m. PT on ESPNU. The first round of the NCAA I FCS Playoffs takes place on Nov. 28.
