Pullman, WA – Washington State was not going to be caught off guard by the Vikings this time around. The Cougars defeated Portland State, 44-24, at Martin Stadium six years after the last meeting between the schools – one that ended in a PSU upset.
 
The Cougars moved the ball effectively, got an early lead, and did not allow the Vikings to make a comeback like the one the program pulled off in 2015.
 
WSU gained 462 yards on offense while the Vikings went for 420 yards. The Cougars gained 159 yards on the ground, while the Vikings had 102. However, most of PSU's rushing yards came from quarterback Davis Alexander, often while scrambling out of the pocket.
 
"Washington State was a fast football team that played well and they were almost penalty free," said Barnum. "They played zone and that prevented us from running the ball well. Good for them and their front seven. It's hard to call a game and move a ball consistently when you can't run against the zone.
 
"I like how my team played, the tenacity and never giving up, but to beat a team like Washington State we have to play not perfect, but damn near perfect."
 
Washington State took advantage of an early Portland State fumble, taking over the football at midfield. From there, Jayden de Laura led the Cougars to the first score of the game. First, de Laura gained 21 yards on a quarterback scramble. Two plays later he found Calvin Jackson Jr. on a 22-yard pass in the back right corner of the endzone.
 
Anthony Adams thwarted another Washington State scoring opportunity in the first quarter. The Cougars had driven to the PSU 6, but the junior cornerback picked off a pass in the endzone.
 
The first quarter ended with WSU leading 7-0.
 
The Vikings tied the game on a lengthy 12-play, 79-yard drive with Alexander scoring on a one-yard run. Alexander was 4-4 passing for 48 yards and rushed four times for 29 yards in the series. The game was tied 7-7 with 10:25 to go in the second quarter.
 
WSU took the lead back a moment later. Set up by a 61-yard kickoff return, the Cougars needed only three plays to score. De Laura went in on a 10-yard option run. An 80-yard drive later in the quarter by WSU put the lead at 21-7.
 
Cody Williams tacked on a 46-yard field goal for the Vikings on PSU's next series. But with a little more than three minutes on the clock, de Laura was able to lead another scoring drive for WSU. He threw a 19-yard TD pass to Travell Harrell.
 
Then a late Viking turnover allowed the Cougs to hit a short field goal and it was 30-10 at halftime.
 
The Cougars had 325 yards of offense at halftime while the Vikings totaled 175.
 
The Vikings opened the second half with a 58-yard drive, but were turned away with no points after failing on a 4^th-and-2 play from the 17-yard line. The Viking defense came back to get a fourth-down stop of its own after WSU had driven to the PSU 31.
 
The Cougars finally added to their lead late in the third period. Max Borghi scored on a one-yard run off an option pitch.
 
PSU scored twice in the fourth quarter on Alexander TD passes. The first was a 39-yarder to Beau Kelly, the second on a three-yarder to Nate Bennett.
 
Alexander ended the game 27-49 passing for 293 yards, two scores and one interception. Kelly had career highs of 10 catches for 152 yards and a score.

Game Notes

• FR LB Parker McKenna led the Vikings with 10 tackles. JR DE VJ Malo had 1.5 sacks and now has 3.5 in two games.
• In addition to his receptions, JR WR Beau Kelly completed the second pass of his career, a 25-yarder to FR WR Nate Bennett. Kelly is 2-2 for 72 yards in his career.
• Cody Williams' 46-yard field goal was the 27 successful three-pointer in his career. That ties him for seventh all-time in PSU history (Mike Cajal-Willis, 2001-02).
• The Vikings were without JR WR Mataio Talalemotu and SR WR Emmanuel Daigbe due to injuries. However, transfer JR WRs Marquis Spiker and Job Dockery were able to play in their first game as Vikings.
• This was the fourth game all-time between PSU and Washington State. The Cougars lead the all-time series 3-1.
• Portland State has its home opener next Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium, hosting Western Oregon at 2:05 p.m.

It Takes A Thief

All-American DB Anthony Adams was at it again against Washington State. The junior cornerback had his second interception in as many games this season. This one came in the endzone thwarting a WSU drive. He now has three takeaways (2 INT, 1 FR) this season and 10 in his career (8 INT, 2 FR). 

Alexander The Great

• Davis Alexander passed Drew Hubel (2007-11, 6,678 yards) for fourth all-time in passing yards at Portland State. Alexander now has 6,833 passing yards in 31 career games. He has 7,990 yards of total offensive (3^rd).
• Alexander rushed for the 20^th touchdown of his career in the first half. He has accounted for 67 career TDs (20 rush, 47 pass).