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Hillsboro, OR - It wasn't known how much quarterback Troy Anderson would play for Montana State. Or if he would play at all. Unfortunately, for the Vikings he started and went all the way, leading the Bobcats to a 43-23 win over Portland State at Hillsboro Stadium.

Despite a left hand injury that limited him from playing much at all in the previous two games, Anderson produced 350 total yards and was responsible for three touchdowns in the game. Anderson rushed 22 times for 211 yards and two scores, completed 7-14 passes for 107 yards and another score, and caught a pass for 32 yards.

"We didn't know if (Anderson) was going to play, but he was the key reason they won that football game. He is hard to tackle. Up front they did a nice job," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum.

The Vikings were very competitive and, in fact, the game would have been much closer were it not for having to settle for field goals on three occasions in the first half. PSU had 421 yards of total offense, 218 passing and 203 on the ground. 

"To win these football games. We have to score touchdowns, not kick field goals. There were a couple of key times where we didn't execute," said Barnum.

Montana State's running game proved to be the difference as the Bobcats had 49 carries for 323 yards and five touchdowns. They had 491 total yards.

A pair of Cody Williams field goals had the Vikings tied with Montana State at 6-6 early in the second quarter. PSU had drives of 52 and 66 yards but were eventually shut down by MSU and forced to kick.  The Bobcats scored in between those kicks after taking advantage of a turnover - an interception by Jahque Alleyne that he returned to the Viking 20. 

Isaiah Ifanse scored on a two-yard four plays after Alleyne's pick. Then Ifanse added a three-yard TD run on Montana State's first drive of the second quarter to take a 13-6 lead. That lead grew to 20-6 on MSU's next series. Anderson hit Kevin Kassis on a quick slant that he turned into a 53-yard touchdown.

The teams traded touchdowns by their quarterbacks after that. Davis Alexander wrapped up an 88-yard drive with a four-yard TD score for the Vikings. He completed passes of 40 yards to Mataio Talalemotu and 35 yards to Emmanuel Daigbe in the series. 

Anderson followed four minutes later on a six-yard scoring run for Montana State.

Williams then added a third field goal from 42 yards as the clock expired for halftime, making it 26-16.

The Bobcats came out fast from halftime, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. When Anderson broke away for a 66-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter the Vikings trailed 43-23.

Portland State couldn't score the rest of the way and the Bobcats milked the clock in the fourth quarter.

Alexander completed 15-27 passes for 212 yards and led the Vikings in rushing with 18 carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns. Carlos Martin added a career-high 48 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Wide receiver Mataio Talalemotu led the Vikings with five receptions for 69 yards.

On Montana State's side, Ifanse rushed for 100 yards and two scores on 19 carries.

Kasun Jackett led the Viking defense with 13 total tackles, one for loss and a pass breakup. However, PSU managed only three tackles for loss in the game and were unable to force a turnover.

GAME NOTES: Williams 44-yard field goal on the Vikings' opening drive was the longest field goal by a Viking kicker in two seasons. His three total field goals were the most since Jonathan Gonzales had three in a win at UC Davis in 2016… the Bobcats have won 10 of the last 11 games against PSU… Portland State goes on the road next Saturday with a 2 p.m. game at the University of Idaho.