Boxscore – HTM | PDF
 
Grand Forks, ND – Portland State dominated the second half on the stat sheet, but turnovers played a huge role in the outcome. The Vikings, leading 10-7 at the start of the fourth quarter ended up losing, 17-10, at the Alerus Center.
 
With the Vikings at midfield and driving, quarterback Davis Alexander was picked off on the first play of the fourth quarter and the ball was returned for a touchdown. On PSU's next drive the UND defense knocked the ball out of Carlos Martin's hands inside the Fighting Hawks' 30-yard line. Those two turnovers stopped PSU's two serious threats in the final quarter.
 
Portland State had 300 yards of total offense, while the defense had another excellent performance, holding the Fighting Hawks to 222 yards, including only 58 after halftime. But the 3-1 turnover differential hurt the Vikings in the end.
 
"Great job by our defense," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "It was a defensive struggle and we couldn't get enough points. When we did get it rocking and rolling we had a couple of turnovers.
 
"We knew this was going to be a tight game. Giving them seven points, I feel bad because it was a valiant effort by our defense."
 
The loss dropped the Vikings to 4-6 on the season, 3-4 in the Big Sky Conference. North Dakota improved to 6-4.
 
Portland State had trouble getting started in the first quarter, taking minus-seven yards in its first series. The Fighting Hawks then drew first blood, taking advantage of a short field. An eight-play, 50-yard drive ended with a Nate Ketteringham quarterback-sneak from a yard out. UND led 7-0 with 3:23 to go in the first quarter, but that was the only offensive touchdown it would score.
 
The Vikings finally got on the board with a lengthy 17-play, 86-yard march. PSU had first-and-goal at the six-yard line but could not get the ball in the end zone. The Vikings settled for a 25-yard field goal by Cody Williams. That made it 7-3 and that was the score at halftime.
 
North Dakota had 164 yards of offense in the half to 124 for the Vikings. A big play in the half for PSU was an interception by Sam Bodine that ended a 53-yard drive by UND.
 
Portland State took the opening kickoff of the second half, but gave up a fumble at midfield on the drive. Back-to-back sacks by  the Vikings' Artuz Manning and Larry Ross snuffed out North Dakota's ensuing drive.
 
After a punt, Alexander led a 15-play, 80-yard series to finally give the Vikings a lead. A big fourth-and-seven scramble by the Viking quarterback kept the drive alive. Four plays later, he scored on a four-yard touchdown run. The extra point had PSU ahead 10-7 with 3:49 left in the third quarter.
 
Another Ross sack of Ketteringham, the Vikings' fourth of the day, on North Dakota's next drive forced a punt again. But the Fighting Hawks had a defensive answer of their own. On the Vikings' first play of the fourth quarter Jaxson Turner tipped an Alexander pass at the line. It was picked off by Lenny Nelson, who returned it 58 yards for a touchdown. UND was back on top 14-10.
 
PSU's final serious threat came midway through the quarter. The Vikings had moved the ball 52 yards down the field and appeared to have a chance to take the lead back. But a fumble ended PSU's hopes.
 
UND tacked on a late field goal for a 17-10 lead. Inside the final minute the Vikings were unable to put together a tying drive.
 
Alexander completed 13-29 passes for 139 yards. He rushed 21 times for 70 yards. Darian Green added 48 yards on 11 carries.
 
Houston Barnes made 16 tackles to lead the Viking defense. Romeo Gunt added eight stops. Larry Ross made two of the Vikings' four sacks.
 
GAME NOTES: The loss was Portland State's fourth straight to North Dakota… the Vikings host their season finale next Friday night at Hillsboro Stadium against Eastern Washington.