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Cheney, WA – It was never say die for the Portland State Vikings as they took Eastern Washington to the final possession in the final game of the season. But the Vikings took the loss, 53-46, at Roos Field.
 
A close game in the first half was getting away from Portland State as Eastern Washington took advantage of three Viking turnovers. The game was tied at 17-17 late in the second quarter before Eastern Washington scored four touchdowns in the span of 10 minutes covering the end of the first half and beginning of the second half.
 
Two of those scores came off of Viking turnovers, a third touchdown had come previously after a first-quarter turnover by the Vikings. Those 21 points off turnovers were huge in a game the Vikings lost by only seven points.
 
"You can't turn the ball over. Especially when we didn't get any back," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "But this team will never quit. We have some holes as a team, but we have fight in us. They never say die. That is fun to watch. It shows we are trending the right way. I'm proud of how my team played."
 
The contest figured to be an offensive battle. Eastern Washington came into the game leading the nation in total offense and averaging 39.5 points per game. Their performance did not disappoint as the Eagles totaled 559 yards and 53 points.
 
After Eastern's four-score flurry, Portland State trailed 45-17 in the third quarter. But the Vikings did not fold. In fact, that outscored the Eagles 29-8 the rest of the way.
 
It started with a 93-yard drive, all on the ground, led by true freshman running back Jobadiah Malary. He finished it off with a one-yard scoring run.
 
"We have seen Eastern Washington run away on people. So, we came back with a series of just running the ball to change the pace of the game," said Barnum.
 
When Davis Alexander threw his fourth touchdown pass of the day, and second to Davis Koetter, PSU was within 53-39 at the 6:14 mark of the fourth quarter. Then Carlos Martin finished a drive with a two-yard touchdown run with 2:14 to play.
 
The ensuing onside kick, though a good one by Cody Williams, was recovered by the Eagles. Eastern Washington was able to get a game-clinching first down and run out the clock.
 
The Vikings actually out-gained Eastern Washington with 560 yards as they ran 91 total plays.
 
Alexander completed 23-39 passes for 319 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Koetter caught seven balls for 92 yards and two scores. Emmanuel Daigbe had four receptions for 109 yards and a score.
 
The Vikings rushed for 241 yards as a team. Malary, in his first action of the season, carried 12 times for 93 yards and a touchdown. Alexander had 53 rushing yards, and senior Carlos Martin carried for 45 yards and a score in his final game.
 
Eagles' quarterback Eric Barriere passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a score.
 
Having the biggest day for Eastern Washington was running back Antoine Custer Jr. with 16 carries for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Portland State finished the season at 5-7, one more win than 2018. The Vikings were 3-5 in Big Sky play. Eastern Washington was 7-5, 6-2 in the Big Sky.
 
GAME NOTES: Kicker Cody Williams set a Portland State record with his first extra point of the game. It was his 78^th consecutive point after try made, breaking the previous mark of 77 straight set by Jonathan Gonzales. He finished the season with 82 straight made PATs. Williams also had a 40-yard field goal… linebacker Romeo Gunt led the Vikings with nine tackles, including two for losses… safety Anthony Adams broke up a pass and finished the season with a Big Sky-leading and PSU school record 19.