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San Luis Obispo, CA - In the end it was Cal Poly's running game against Portland State's passing game. And the running game was just slightly better. The Mustangs defeated the Vikings 35-28 in Cal Poly's Homecoming Game at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

Redshirt freshman Davis Alexander got his first start at quarterback for the Vikings and was more than up to the task. Alexander completed 30-51 passes for 409 yards and one touchdown. He was picked off in the final minute on a diving play by Mark Reza as the Vikings were driving for a tying touchdown. On the previous play, tight end Charlie Taumoepeau made a leaping catch but landed just beyond the end zone line and out of bounds. Those two plays characterized how it has gone for the Vikings this season as they dropped to 0-9.

"I saw offensively we came together this game. We got our system and rhythm going. I am proud of how they played. Davis led offensively. To the last minute our team thought they would win that game," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "For Tim Walsh and Cal Poly, they did a great job with what they do (running the ball)."

Cal Poly rushed for an even 400 yards on 74 carries. They got 194 yards and two scores from fullback Jared Mohamed. Chuby Dunu added two more touchdowns to aid the Mustangs effort.

Alexander's 409 passing yards were the most by a Viking since Drew Hubel threw for 474 yards against Idaho State in 2008. Add in a 24-yard touchdown pass by Josh Kraght to Trent Riley and the Vikings passed for 433 yards overall. They had 504 yards of total offense.

With Alexander as the starter at quarterback, the Vikings changed things up, passing on eight straight plays in a 71-yard drive to open the game. However, it was Kraght who threw the touchdown pass, a 24-yarder to Riley, after taking a backward lateral pass from Alexander.

The Mustangs came back to score quickly on their first series and tie it at 7-7. 

PSU got the first break of the game when Anthony Del Toro forced Mustang quarterback Jake Jeffrey to fumble at the Cal Poly 35. Kasun Jackett recovered the football for the Vikings. Four plays later, the Viking offense took a chance by going for it on fourth-and-one. Running back Jason Talley proved it was no gamble, going 26 yards for a touchdown and 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.

The Mustangs tied the game on a clock-consuming 12-play, 80-yard drive midway through the second quarter. Mohamed scored on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line and tied the game.

Portland State used some trickery on their next series. Lined up for a 24-yard field goal, Kraght, the holder, picked up the ball and sprinted to the left corner of the end zone and a 21-14 Viking lead.

Cal Poly was able to score one more time before half, tying it at 21-21. At that point the Viking passing game had 219 yards as Alexander was 16-23. That included a 63-yard Hail Mary to Darnell Adams just before halftime that came up two yards short of a touchdown.

One trick play that didn't work too well for the Vikings was an onside kick attempt to open the second half. Cal Poly covered the football and was able to get the lead for the first time. From the PSU 44, the Mustangs rattled off 10 straight runs. The last was a one-yard scoring burst by Mohamed and PSU trailed for the first time.

Alexander threw his first career touchdown pass on the Vikings' next series. It was a 12-yard post to Riley for his second score. The extra point tied it again at 28-28.

Each side got a defensive stop to close out the third quarter. The decisive touchdown came on the first series of the fourth quarter. Cal Poly took the lead back with another methodical running series of nine plays and 80 yards. That put the Mustangs on top, 35-28.

The Vikings got Cal Poly to punt on the final two series' but couldn't score themselves. PSU took over the final drive with 1:36 on the clock and no timeouts. Alexander rushed for 13 yards on the first play, then completed a 35-yard pass to Adams. That had the Vikings on the Mustangs' 29 and set up PSU's final two plays. When Reza intercepted with 48 seconds left, Cal Poly was able to run out the clock.

Riley had a career-high 12 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns for the Vikings. Adams caught six passes for a career-high 157 yards. Taumoepeau added six catches for 89 yards. 

Jackett made 16 tackles and a fumble recovery to lead the Viking defense. Tyler Foreman added 11 stops.

GAME NOTES: Cal Poly has won five of the last six games in the series… Portland State hosts its final home game next Saturday. The Vikings take on Weber State in a 2 p.m. game at Providence Park.