Boxscore - HTM

Bozeman, MT - The tables were turned on the Vikings and the result was a loss.

Montana State ran over, around and through the Vikings, converting a 403-yard ground game into a 30-22 win. Meanwhile, the Vikings struggled with their normally stout running game, carrying 37 times for only 102 yards, a 2.8 per carry average.

For the Vikings the loss dropped them to 0-5 on the season, 0-2 in the Big Sky Conference. MSU improved to 2-3, 2-1.

"Montana State did a heckuva job running the ball, and a few special teams snafus put us in a hole we couldn't get out of," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "Running the football, they held us down, so we had to be able to pitch-and-catch to stay in it."

In was definitely a flipped script on the Vikings. Fortunately, quarterback Josh Kraght's arm kept PSU going. He completed 28-52 passes for a career-high 317 yards and two touchdowns.

Field possession and ball control was important on a clear, but extremely windy day. It also made for more of a defensive struggle early on.

The Viking defense allowed the Bobcats to run only nine plays in their first two series. Late in the quarter, MSU mounted a quick, four-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Chris Murray went in from three yards out and the Bobcats had a 7-0 lead.

Portland State's first break came midway through the second quarter when safety Artuz Manning picked off a Murray pass. He returned it to MSU territory and the offense took over from there.

Kraght drove the Vikings 46 yards on seven plays. Jason Talley went in from one yard out and the game was tied at 7-7.

MSU's Gabe Peppenger kicked a 34-yard field goal late in the half. Montana State led 10-7 at halftime.

The Bobcats had 218 yards at halftime, with 209 on the ground. Portland State had 162 yards by halftime.

A methodical 12-play, 75-yard drive, all on the ground by the Bobcats, opened the second half. Murray scored on a five-yard run. John Jackson blocked the extra point for the Vikings, but MSU was ahead 16-7 with 9:01 left in the third quarter.

On the Vikings' next possession, disaster struck. PSU was stopped and had to punt from its own nine-yard line. Punter Hayden Cowden mishandled the snap and MSU's Chad Know recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Suddenly, the Vikings trailed 23-7.

Portland State finally put points on the board in the third quarter with a 61-yard drive. Kraght hit Charlie Taumoepeau on a gain of 19, completed an 11-yard pass to Trent Riley on a fourth-and-four play, then again found Taumoepeau on a 26-yard scoring toss. 

With that score the Vikings appeared to have life, trailing 23-14 and still in the third quarter. 

On the Bobcats' ensuing series Troy Andersen broke free on a 59-yard run. Still, the PSU defense stopped the Bobcats at the goal line on fourth-and-goal and got the football back.

Later though, another punting game error cost the Vikings. A blocked punt by the Bobcats set them up at the PSU 26-yard line with 8:41 remaining in the game. On the third play from scrimmage Justin Paige took a reverse play 23 yards for a score. That made it 30-14 and the Bobcats were out of the Vikings reach. 

Kraght directed a nine-play, 83-yard scoring drive late. His 24-yard TD pass to Taumoepeau closed the score to 30-20 with 1:21 remaining. Kraght then hit Darnell Adams on a two-point conversion pass. 

At 30-22, PSU needed to recover the ensuing on-side kick but were unable to do so.

Murray completed only 2-9 passes for nine yards and the interception. But he led the Bobcats ground game with 126 yards on 18 carries, scoring two touchdowns. 

Talley was PSU's top rusher with only 39 yards on 12 carries. Adams matched his career high with nine receptions and 118 yards. Riley caught eight passes for 79 yards. Taumoepeau had five catches for a career-high 92 yards and two scores.

Kasun Jackett and Manning each had eight tackles to lead the Viking defense.

GAME NOTES: The Vikings have lost seven games in a row dating to last season… PSU has lost eight in a row in Bozeman, dating to 2002… Hayden Cowden had a career-long 76-yard punt in the third quarter… Portland State's last win at Montana State came on Nov. 4, 2000 when the Vikings got a late touchdown from fullback Steve Jakubowski to take a 31-24 victory… Portland State returns home next Saturday for a 2 p.m. game against Northern Arizona at Providence Park.