Ogden, UT – The Portland State coaching staff challenged the team on the eve of Saturday's game with Weber State, telling them they only had 15 days left in their season. All the work they have put in had come down to the last 15 days. Unless…. the Vikings can find a way to extend their time.
 
Day one proved to be an outstanding start as the Vikings defeated 24^th-ranked Weber State on the road, 30-18.
 
"We told our football team they had 15 days of football left. We said 'for the last 15 days, for all the work you have put in, do everything you can to try to earn another one,'" said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. The intimation being, that if the Vikings can win out against a brutally tough November schedule (#24 Weber State, #16 Sacramento State and #5 Eastern Washington) they would likely earn a chance for the FCS post-season.
 
Both teams entered the game 4-4 overall, 3-2 in the Big Sky, and on two-game winning streaks. The difference was the Wildcats were ranked. PSU's win, which puts it at 5-4/4-2, was its first against a nationally-ranked team on the road since 2018 against Montana.
 
The Vikings dominated on both sides of the ball, racking up 299 passing yards and 428 total yards against the Big Sky's top pass defense (164.5 yards allowed per game). PSU also went 8-15 on third downs against the Big Sky's best third-down defense (29%).
 
"We addressed third down a lot in preparation this week," said Barnum. "If they are going to go man against us, we had to be able to pass the ball. Fortunately, I don't think we have a star receiver. I think we have six or seven who are stars."
 
The proof was on the stat sheet. Quarterback Davis Alexander completed 29-42 passes for 299 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Freshman Nate Bennett made a season-high nine receptions for 83 yards. Freshman Darien Chase had five catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Junior Beau Kelly made five grabs for 46 yards. Junior Mataio Talalemotu had four receptions for 69 yards.
 
Portland State may have been even better on defense. The Vikings held Weber State to an opponent season-low 256 yards and only 3-13 on third downs. The Vikings had 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and three pass breakups.
 
Junior Anthony Adams made a career-high 11 tackles, two for losses and broke up a pass. Juniors VJ Malo, Jake Porter and Xavier Bell were all in on sacks. Bell added four tackles and two breakups.
 
"The defense was phenomenal," said Barnum after the game and alluded to what the Vikings have built on their three-game winning streak. "The kids feel the momentum and that's what is important. When you win, you earn another one."
 
The game was a defensive struggle until the 4:03 mark of the first quarter. The Viking defense  forced punts on the first two Wildcat possessions. But on the third WSU possession, a Viking blitz left an empty defensive backfield and the Wildcats took advantage. Backup quarterback Creyton Cooper avoided the rush, broke off the left side and went 51 yards for a score.
 
The Vikings moved the football in the first quarter but couldn't get points. Alexander was 6-7 passing for 78 yards. However, PSU had a turnover and was stopped on its other two drives after just a couple of first downs.
 
Midway through the second quarter the Vikings drove to the WSU 32. Freshman kicker Gianni Smith then booted a season-long 49-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 7-3.
 
Just before halftime, Alexander engineered an 11-play, 77-yard drive. He completed 6-8 passes for 76 yards in the series. Running back Malik Walker punched it in from two yards out with 56 seconds left in the half. The Vikings took the 10-7 lead into halftime.
 
The lead was pushed to two scores on the opening series of the second half. This time it was a 13-play, 71-yard drive. Again, Alexander was key, completing 4-6 passes for 66 yards. A 50-yard grab over the middle by Talalemotu set up the score. Alexander rushed in from four yards out and PSU led 17-7 with 9:36 to play in the third quarter.
 
Weber State netted only 16 yards in the third quarter but was able to produce one drive, aided by a PSU penalty, for a field goal. Kyle Thompson kicked a 45-yarder, making the game 17-10 heading to the fourth quarter.
 
Portland State answered with another methodical 10-play, 72-yard drive. Methodical, that is, until freshman back Jalynnee McGee broke off a pair of big runs. McGee went 10 yards, then 22 yards for back-to-back first downs. On the next play, Alexander threw a jumpball into the right corner of the endzone and Chase came down with an 11-yard TD catch. The extra point made it 24-10 PSU with 11:57 left in the game.
 
The Wildcats stayed alive on their next series. Using a two-quarterback system, WSU went 86 yards in 13 plays. Cooper scored again on a two-yard run. A fake extra point resulted in a two-point conversion and Weber State pulled within 24-18.
 
The teams traded punts on the next two possessions. Though they trailed, Weber State was backed up to their own 10-yard line and had to punt, allowing the Vikings to take over with 3:30 to play. Two first downs would solve the game.
 
PSU tried to run out the clock, but when pressed to third down, Alexander hit Bennett for a 15-yard first down pass with just over two minutes left. On the next play, Walker broke free on a 39-yard scamper for the final touchdown, making the score 30-18.

The Wildcats, who have won or shared the Big Sky Conference title in each of the last four seasons, dropped to 4-5 overall, 3-3 in the Big Sky. 

GAME NOTES

• Anthony Adams made the 29^th pass breakup of his career. He now ranks third all-time at PSU. The school record is 33, by Rashad Floyd (1997-2000).
• Davis Alexander moved into second place all-time in passing yards at Portland State. With 299 in the game, he now has 8,645 in his career. Alexander passed Jimmy Blanchard (8,455) for second all-time at PSU and now trails only Neil Lomax (13,220)… with a 25^th career rushing touchdown, Alexander moved up to seventh all-time in Portland State history.
• Nate Bennett grabbed a season-high nine passes and now has 44 receptions this season… Beau Kelly leads the team with 59 receptions.
• Portland State's last win over a nationally-ranked team was October 6, 2018 at Montana. Since that time, PSU had lost four straight to nationally-ranked opponents… Head Coach Bruce Barnum is now 7-9 all-time against nationally-ranked FCS teams.