With the absence of fall sports in 2020, GoViks.com is going to look back at some great moments in the history of Viking fall sports (volleyball, soccer, football, cross country, golf) on specific dates. This is not an exhaustive list, and not every date is covered, however as the fall progresses, the rich history of Viking Athletics will be remembered.

Portland State pulled out a thrilling win over the highest-ranked opponent (#2) in school history. And, it was reminiscent of PSU's 50-49 final-play win over the Grizzlies back in 1976. PSU finished the 1999 season at 8-3 and ranked 20th in the nation.

Portland, OR (Oct. 2, 1999) - In a battle between two of the top scoring teams in the country, both offenses lived up to the advanced billing. In the end, Portland State managed to outlast Montana, the number-two ranked team in the country, by a score of 51-48 in overtime. 

With the Vikings up 49-48 in overtime, Montana's extra-point attempt was blocked by Brad Ransom. Tanner Cole picked it up for the Vikings and ran it all the way back for a PAT return and Portland State victory.

The game went into the extra period when Vikings' kicker Dan Frantz just missed a 32-yard field goal with one second remaining in regulation. Portland State had the first possession in overtime and wasted no time in scoring. On the first play, quarterback Jimmy Blanchard found Terry Charles on a 25-yard touchdown pass. It was the second scoring reception on the day for Charles as he set a new single-game reception yardage record with 276.

It took only two plays for Montana to find the end zone on their overtime possession. Drew Miller hit Jimmy Farris on a 28-yard TD pass, setting the stage for the game-winning blocked PAT for PSU.

The two teams combined for 1,286 yards of total offense in the game, including 1,048 by air, and there was not a single turnover.

For Portland State, Blanchard was 28 of 47 passing for 550 yards and three touchdowns. Orshawante Bryant had four catches for 113 yards and one score to go with Charles' 12-276-2 line. Charles Dunn rushed for 77 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns. 

Montana's Miller was 36-52 passing for 498 yards and five touchdowns.

The game's first six drives all resulted in touchdowns and the score was knotted at 21 after the first quarter. The second quarter was all Vikings after a Frantz field goal and a Bryant touchdown reception. PSU was ahead 30-21 at halftime.

In the second half, Montana's defense was bend but don't break as Portland State managed only four field goals. Meanwhile the Griz scored two touchdowns in the third quarter and led 34-33 heading to fourth quarter.

PSU was back on top after two Frantz field goals made it 39-34. Miller threw a TD pass for Montana with 3:54 left, giving the Griz a 42-39 lead. 

Frantz answered with a tying 26-yard field goal with 1:17 remaining in the game.

On the ensuing possession, Montana moved the ball to the PSU 37. But the Vikings made a defensive stand, stopped the Griz on fourth down. 

For their efforts, Blanchard and Charles were named the ESPN/USA Today National Offensive Players of the Week. 

Game Boxscore

• PSU - Charles 6 pass from Blanchard (Frantz kick), 13:07, 1st
• UM - Humphery 3 run (Heppner kick), 11:30, 1st
• PSU - Dunn 4 run (Frantz kick), 8:10, 1st
• UM - Watkins 63 pass from Miller (Heppner kick), 6:14, 1st
• PSU - Dunn 2 run (Frantz kick), 3:29, 1st
• UM - Humphery 7 run (Heppner kick), 1:10, 1st
• PSU - Frantz 45 FG, 8:40, 2nd
• PSU - Bryant 19 pass from Blanchard (kick failed), 2:07, 2nd
• UM - Hancock 27 pass from Miller (Heppner kick), 7:17, 3rd
• PSU - Frantz 47 FG, 4:22, 3rd
• UM - Hancock 20 pass from Miller (pass failed), 1:43, 3rd
• PSU - Frantz 19 FG, 13:03, 4th
• PSU - Frantz 27 FG, 7:15, 4th
• UM - Walker 20 pass from Miller (Neil pass), 3:54, 4th
• PSU - Frantz 26 FG, 1:17, 4th
• PSU - Charles 25 pass from Blanchard (Frantz kick), OT
• UM - Farris 28 pass from Miller (kick blocked, OT
• PSU - Cole PAT return, OT

• Rushing
  • PSU
    • Dunn 26-77-2
    • Bryant 3-51-0
    • Blanchard 4-19-0
  • UM
    • Humphery 24-150-2
• Passing
  • PSU
    • Blanchard 48-27-0-550-3
  • UM
    • Miller 52-36-0-498-5
• Receiving
  • PSU
    • Charles 12-276-2
    • Bryant 4-133-1
    • Angel 7-61-0
    • Dunn 4-78-0
  • UM
    • Watkins 10-157-1
    • Farris 10-118-1
    • Hancock 6-107-2
• Punting/Kicking
  • PSU
    • Frantz 1-39.0, 5-7 FG (39M, 45G, 47G, 19G, 27G, 26G, 32M)
  • UM
    • Neil 1-49.0
    • Heppner 0-2 FG (47M, 46M)
• Defense
  • PSU
    • Retamoza 10T (2 PBU)
    • Cole 10T
    • Kemhus 9T (1 TFL)
    • Ransom 8T (2 SK, 1 BK)
  • UM
    • Huntsberger 13T
    • Jollymore 13T
    • Miller 12T (1 PBU)