Boxscore – HTM | PDF
 
Hillsboro, OR – A Portland State comeback ran out of time as the Vikings lost to Idaho State in an offensive showcase, 48-45, at Hillsboro Stadium.
 
Trailing by 10 points in the fourth quarter, the Vikings scored a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining, then got the defensive three-and-out they needed. PSU started its final drive at its own 12-yard line with 2:31 to play and no timeouts.
 
The Vikings' final march included a fourth-and-nine conversion pass from Davis Alexander to Emmanuel Daugbe. Later, on third-and-21 play Alexander made a 20-yard completion to Charlie Taumoepeau. The officials marked the play just short of a first down at the ISU 36 and the Vikings had to race to get a final play off. But the scramble to snap the ball with the clock running out ended as a sack.
 
The loss for the Vikings ended a three-game winning streak and dropped their record to 4-5, 3-3 in the Big Sky Conference. Idaho State improved to 6-3, 5-1 in the Big Sky, and kept playoff hopes alive.
 
PSU had 597 yards of total offense to 518 for Idaho State.
 
"We grew up tonight. I saw some kids make some big plays and we were resilient. The offense picked up the defense tonight. It had been the other way around earlier this year," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum.
 
Idaho State took the opening drive 79 yards, benefitting from a fourth-down penalty by the Vikings midway through. The Bengals went for it on a fourth-and-one play from their own 49-yard line. Tanner Gueller attempted a quarterback sneak but the snap was fumbled. However, the Vikings were ruled as being offsides, extending the drive for ISU. Later Gueller hit brother Mitch on a 23-yard touchdown pass and the Bengals had the early lead.
 
A 54-yard run by Carlos Martin highlighted the Vikings' opening drive. The Bengals were able to hold inside the 20 though as PSU settled for a 30-yard field goal from Cody Williams.
 
Late in the quarter Gueller found Michael Dean on a 63-yard touchdown pass. The gave the Bengals a 14-3 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
 
Portland State came back to tie the game 17-17 with a pair of early second-quarter touchdowns. Darian Green caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from a scrambling Alexander on a broken play. Then, a few minutes later Alexander sprinted to the right pylon from 10 yards out. His touchdown was set up by a 47-yard flea flicker pass to Mataio Talalemotu.
 
Dean had his second long touchdown catch later in the second quarter, a 28-yard grab from Gueller, and ISU went back ahead 24-17.
 
Again the Vikings responded with a score. Alexander led a 12-play, 73-yard drive that chewed up 6:22 on the clock. He hit Emmanuel Daigbe on a nine-yard, back shoulder throw in the left corner of the end zone. Again, the game was tied at 24.
 
But the Gueller brothers had one last score in them before halftime. Tanner connected with Mitch on three straight passes. The last was from 12 yards out and the Bengals went up 31-24 with 40 seconds left in the half.
 
As expected, the offensive numbers were impressive at halftime. ISU had 333 yards and Tanner Gueller had thrown four touchdown passes. PSU had 305 yards at halftime while Alexander had thrown for two scores and run for a third.
 
Portland State tied the game for the third time when they opened the second half. PSU had the opening series and Alexander led the way, scoring his second rushing touchdown. His eight-yard run knotted the score at 31-31.
 
A 21-yard pass to Ty Flanagan on a fourth-and-eight play from the Viking 26-yard line set up yet another go-ahead touchdown for the Bengals. On the next play, Tanner Gueller broke through the line on a five-yard TD run.
 
On his first touch of the game, Antwone Williams made a big play for the Vikings. He broke away on a 54-yard touchdown run and again the score was tied at 38-38.
 
Just before the end of the third quarter, the Bengals went back ahead 41-38 on a 27-yard Campbell Sheidow.
 
The Bengals got a big break on PSU's next series. The Vikings drove to the ISU 30 but were forced into a field goal attempt. Williams' effort from 47 yards had plenty of distance but hit the right upright.
 
From there, Idaho State finally got a two-score separation. The Tanner-to-Mitch Gueller connection featured a 45-yard play in a 70-yard scoring drive. Ty Flanagan eventually scored on an eight-yard run and ISU led 48-38 with 10:27 to play.
 
Portland State battled to stay in the game though. A lengthy 13-play, 78-yard drive pulled PSU within 48-45 with 3:06 to go. Alexander converted a fourth-down with a five-yard completion to Carlos Martin. Then, Jacob Bystry made his biggest play of the season with a 34-yard reception. Alexander later scored on a three-yard run.
 
On Idaho State's ensuing drive, the Vikings got their defensive stop and a punt. That set up the frantic closing drive for PSU that came up short.
 
Alexander threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 64 yards and three scores. The Vikings also got a career-high 105 rushing yards on 10 carries from Carlos Martin.
 
PSU gained a total of 316 yards on the ground on 49 carries, an average of 6.4 yards per carry.
 
ISU was led by Tanner Gueller, who finished 15 of 30 for 344 yards and the four TDs. His brother Mitch caught six passes for 144 yards and two scores, while Dean had five catches for 152 yards and two scores.
 
GAME NOTES: Kasun Jackett led the Vikings with eight tackles… ISU has now won two in a row against the Vikings… Portland State travels to the University of North Dakota next Saturday for a noon kickoff against the Fighting Hawks