Boxscore - HTM | PDF

Eugene, OR - The result was not a surprise but the Vikings kept up the fight despite losing at Oregon, 62-14.

A Top 25 FBS program with a potent offense proved to be too much for Portland State. Oregon finished with 562 yards of total offense, led by star quarterback Justin Herbert. The Duck junior completed 20-26 passes for 250 yards and four touchdowns.

On the other side of the field, the Vikings went with a more run-oriented quarterback and offense, starting Jalani Eason behind center. The intent was to run the clock, shorten the game and try to limit the number of possessions the Ducks were able to have offensively. The Vikings finished with 224 yards of offense. Despite running 20 fewer plays than the Ducks, they actually won time of possession by five minutes.

"We did what we wanted to do (offensively). Jalani's skill set for this game gave us a better chance to win," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "But you look at the other side of the field with Justin Herbert and it is really tough to stop him and Pac-12 players. He made some third down passes early that were fun to watch, fitting the ball into a small one foot area."

The Vikings dropped to 0-2 with the loss while the 23rd-ranked Ducks moved to 2-0.

Portland State made Oregon earn its early scores, forcing long drives that led to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Vikings finally struck offensively midway through the second quarter. On a third-and-six play from the Viking 29-yard line, Eason broke out of the pocket and found tight end Charlie Taumoepeau down the field. Taumoepeau caught the pass at the Oregon 40, broke a tackle and sprinted to the end zone on a 71-yard play. It was his second 70+ yard touchdown in as many weeks.

But the Oregon offense kept churning out the production. When Herbert threw his fourth TD pass just before halftime, the Ducks had a 35-7 lead.

The second half included another highlight from Taumoepeau as he caught a 47-yard pass from wide receiver Beau Kelly on a gadget play. That moved PSU into Oregon territory. Four plays later the junior tight end caught a four-yard slant from Eason for the Vikings' second score.

At that point it was 49-14 Oregon, and that would be it for the Vikings. Oregon tacked on two late touchdowns for the final score.

Taumoepeau finished with five receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. It was his second straight week with a 100-yard, two-touchdown game. 

"Charlie is fun to watch, very talented," said Barnum. "He is going to do some great things for us. Right now we are finding his supporting cast as we head into the Big Sky. We have plenty of young talent that can help when people do adjust to Charlie."

Eason was 7-14 passing for 111 yards and the two TDs. Running back Sirgeo Hoffman rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries to lead the ground game. Eason had 48 positive yards rushing, but lost 29 on sacks. 

Linebacker Houston Barnes led the defense with 11 tackles, and safety Sam Inos had 10 stops.

Oregon had 11 different receivers catch passes. Tony Brooks-James (107) and CJ Verdell (106) each had 100-yard rushing games. 

GAME NOTES: This was the fifth all-time meeting between the schools in football. Oregon has won all five… FR DE Jake Porter was credited with a blocked extra point in the fourth quarter… FR CB Anthony Adams made four tackles, one for loss, and a pass breakup… Portland State has its home opener next Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium. The Vikings host College of Idaho at 2 p.m. On Sept. 22, PSU has its Big Sky Conference home opener against Montana State, also at Hillsboro Stadium at 2 p.m.