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Cheney, WA - A first half of promise was followed by a second half of disappointment as the Portland State Vikings lost their season finale to 18th-ranked Eastern Washington, 59-33.

With the win the Eagles appear destined for the FCS Playoffs at 7-4, 6-2 in the Big Sky. The Vikings complete the year 0-11.

Despite being winless, Portland State matched the Eagles blow for blow offensively in the first 30 minutes. The most spectacular play was a 50-yard Hail Mary from quarterback Davis Alexander to wide receiver De'Sean Parsons on the final play of the first half.

Freshman running back Jason Talley rushed for two short touchdowns in the half, and senior wide receiver Darnell Adams did a fancy toe-tap in the corner of the endzone on a seven-yard pass from Alexander. 

But it was Alexander who did all the heavy lifting in the half, completing 16-24 passes for 261 yards and two TDs. He also rushed for 67 yards, including a big 30-yard gain to set up the score to Adams.

PSU had 332 yards by halftime, but the Eagles amassed 433 yards. That led them to a 31-26 halftime advantage. The Vikings had a missed field goal, a missed extra point and a failed two-point conversion, otherwise it may have been tied.

Eastern Washington turned up the defense in the second half and that allowed the Eagle offense to create some distance. PSU had three punts and an interception in its first four possessions. 

Eagles' quarterback Gage Gubrud led Eastern to scores on their first two series. The first was an 11-yard pass to tight end Jayce Gilder, the second was a 23-yard Gubrud scamper. 

The Eagles took advantage of good field position on their next series after picking off an Alexander pass. Antoine Custer Jr. rushed for a 27-yard score, his third of the game. At that point, the Eagles led 52-26 and never looked back. Eastern turned it into a 28-point quarter when wideout Nic Sblendorio took a swing pass 74 yards on a nifty catch and run. At the end of the third quarter Eastern Washington led 59-26.

Sophomore tight end Charlie Taumoepeau caught nine passes for 145 yards for the Vikings, both career highs. He had an 11-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter. Alexander was 28-51 for 386 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also had 16 running plays for 70 yards. 

The Eagles totaled 728 yards in all. Gubrud was 17-32 for 445 yards and four scores. Sblendorio had nine receptions for a whopping 273 yards and two touchdowns. Custer led the running game with 24 carries for 177 yards and three touchdowns. 

GAME NOTES: Safety Braxton Winterton had 11 tackles and a pass breakup to lead the Viking defense… quarterback Davis Alexander had 1,165 passing yards and five touchdowns in the last three games of the season... Eastern Washington has won five of the last six games in the series… Portland State's only other winless season was an 0-9 record in 1952.