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.

Albuquerque, NM, Sept. 2, 2006 - Portland State ran off 17 straight second-half points in pulling off a big upset over a 1-A program, defeating the University of New Mexico, 17-6.

Sawyer Smith hit his two prime receivers for second half touchdowns in the 17-point run, but the defense made the difference for the Vikings.

The Viking offense was sluggish in the first half gaining just 82 yards, while the Lobos could do little more. New Mexico kicker Kenny Byrd hit short kicks of 29 yards in the first period and 24 yards in the second to lead 6-0 at halftime.

On the Lobos first drive of the second half, they moved the ball to midfield, but stalled out on a fourth-and-one play. A Casey Tyler stop at the line of scrimmage gave the Vikings the ball back and the offense picked up on the momentum.

Kelena Ho'okano rushed for seven yards. Then Smith hit Tremayne Kirkland on a four-yard pass for a first-down at the Lobos 39. Following an incompletion, Smith hit a slashing Brendan Ferrigno on a 39-yard touchdown strike. With Eric Azorr's extra point, the Vikings suddenly led 7-6 and the 27,535 in attendance were silenced.

After another defensive stop, the Vikings drove again. This time they settled for a 42-yard Azorr field goal, and with 3:08 left in the third period, PSU was up 10-6.

The teams traded possessions going into the fourth period. On an Andrew Levers punt, New Mexico's Paul Baker fumbled the ball. Ho'okano recovered the ball at the New Mexico 24 and the PSU was in business again.

Four plays later Smith found Tremayne Kirkland on a screen pass. The Viking wideout took an upfield block from Brennan Carvalho and scampered into the endzone on a 26-yard touchdown.

PSU led 17-6 with 10:51 remaining in the game, but the Lobos couldn't mount a serious threat.

"We played a great game on defense," said Head Coach Tim Walsh. "In the first half, we were a bend, don't break defense, but in the second half we became dominant.

"The offense really responded in the second half too. We played a sound game against a good team and in the end we were the better team."

Linebacker Adam Hayward had 11 tackles with four sacks and forced one fumble in the game. The other two Viking linebackers, Jordan Senn and DJ Robinson, were each credited with 10 tackles each. Also making big plays on defense were Cole Smith and Charles Manigo. Smith made a key fourth-quarter sack that knocked the Lobos out of field goal range. On New Mexico's next possession, Manigo picked off a Kole McKamey pass to effectively put the game out of reach.

Smith completed 13 of 30 passes for 173 yards and the two touchdowns. His only interception came on a desperation pass at the end of the first half.

GAME NOTES: With the victory, PSU beat a 1-A program for just the second time in its history. PSU's last 1-A win was over Hawai'i in 2000, 45-20... Hayward went on to win Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He played eight seasons in the NFL and more games (118) in the NFL than any other former PSU Viking.

Game Box Score

Score Summary:

• UNM - Byrd 29 FG, 3:00, 1st
• UNM - Byrd 24 FG, 4:06, 2nd
• PSU - Ferrigno 39 pass from Smith (Azorr kick), 10:14, 3rd
• PSU - Azorr 42 FG, 3:08, 3rd
• PSU - Kirkland 26 pass from Smith (Azorr kick), 10:51, 4th

• Rushing
  • PSU
    • Ho'okano 13-35-0
    • Sobomehin 3-8-0
    • McClintock 3-7-0
  • UNM
    • Ferguson 15-65-0
    • Epps 4-25-0
• Passing
  • PSU
    • Smith 30-13-1-173-2
  • UNM
    • McKamey 36-21-1-274-0
• Receiving
  • PSU
    • Ferrigno 5-78-1
    • Mackins 3-50-0
    • Kirkland 3-35-1
  • UNM
    • Smith 8-85-0
    • Brown 6-93-0
• Punting/Kicking
  • PSU
    • Levers 6-41.0/1-1 FG (42G).
  • UNM
    • Scott 6-36.2
    • Byrd 2-2 FG (29G, 24G)
• Defense
  • PSU
    • Hayward 11T (45K, FF)
    • Robinson 10T (TFL)
    • Senn 10T (TFL),
    • O. Jackson 7T (TFL, PBU)
  • UNM
    • Swift 5T
    • Donaldson 4T (TFL, PBU)
    • Lovato 4T
    • Ligon 4T