Hillsboro, OR - The dynamic play of sophomore quarterback Dante Chachere made it a Home Sweet Homecoming for Portland State as the Vikings defeated Northern Arizona, 35-27, at Hillsboro Stadium. 
 
Chachere had 402 yards of total offense and was responsible for five touchdowns as PSU took control of the game early and led the entire way. Chachere would have had a sixth touchdown late in the game, but a replay review took the score off the board and called the ball down on the one-yard line. All that did for the Vikings was allow them to kneel on the football for the final minute of play and pick up their first Big Sky Conference win. PSU is now 1-3, 1-1 in the Big Sky. NAU is 1-4, 0-2.
 
Chachere completed 22-28 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He rushed 12 times for 128 yards and two scores. All of his numbers were career highs. He hit Beau Kelly eight times and Nate Bennett seven times with passes, but his favorite receiver had to be Mataio Talalemotu who caught only three balls, but all three went for scores (23, 17 and 66 yards). 
 
"I was being too conservative with Dante. I kind of had a governor on him in previous games," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "He had to execute and run our system. I told him today, ' just roll', and he did a hell of a job."
 
The Viking defense was stout early, holding NAU to 112 first-half yards as PSU built a 28-7 lead. NAU never converted a third-down (0-11), but had to take numerous chances to try and stay in the game and were able to convert 5-7 fourth downs. 
 
NAU quarterback RJ Martinez finished 30-43 passing for 318 yards and two scores, but also threw one interception. Both TD passes came in the fourth quarter as NAU tried to catch up.
 
Both teams were looking for an offensive burst to start the game. The Vikings had it first. Chachere led a 70-yard drive on the first series of the game. He hit Talalemotu on a 23-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring.
 
PSU's defense got a three-and-out against Northern Arizona on its first series. After that, Chachere led the way again, this time 75 yards, and scored on a three-yard run. PSU led 14-0 just 10 minutes into the contest. 
 
Northern Arizona answered back on its ensuing possession. Martinez completed a 65-yard series with a four-yard scoring rush of his own.
 
Chachere then came up with the biggest running play by a Viking since 2018. On a third-and-long from the PSU 28, Chachere dropped back in the pocket but couldn't find a receiver. He broke containment and went 72 yards up the middle of the field for the score. At that point he had two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown and the Vikings led 21-7 with 14:02 to go in the first half.
 
Chachere tossed one more touchdown pass before halftime, again finding Talalemotu on a 17-yard score with 5:27 left in the half. By halftime PSU had out-gained NAU 289-112 and led 28-7.
 
Portland State did not produce much offense in the third quarter, but the defense made it hold. Twice the Vikings stopped NAU on downs, and on a third series roverback David Joseph picked off a Martinez pass. At the end of three, PSU still led 28-7.
 
NAU finally broke through early in the fourth quarter. Martinez connected on a 53-yard bomb down the right sideline to Stacy Chukwumezie. A two-point conversion try failed and the score was 28-13.
 
Chachere and Talalemotu weren't done though. Barnum made a risky fourth-and-one call from the Vikings' 34-yard line and it paid off. Chachere hit Talalemotu on a quick slant and the senior wide receiver galloped 66 yards for the score. PSU led 35-13 with 12:28 left on the clock.
 
The Lumberjacks put together a quick, nine-play scoring drive to stay in the game. Another failed two-point conversion left them down 35-19 with 9:46 on the clock. 
 
NAU's defense was able to get a stop on the Vikings, then drove again with Chukwumezie catching a TD in the back left of the endzone at the 4:12 mark. Martinez scrambled in on a two-point conversion and it was 35-27 Vikings. 
 
Portland State recovered the ensuing onside kick and converted four first downs to run out the clock at the NAU one-yard line. 
 
PSU had a season-high 479 yards of total offense, 274 through the air and 205 on the ground. NAU finished with 427 yards after a fourth-quarter passing flurry.
 
Linebacker Jaymason Willingham and cornerback Ezriel Vasquez led the Vikings with seven tackles each. Defensive tackle EJ Ane had six tackles, two for losses, and a sack.
 

GAME NOTES

• Beau Kelly moved up to ninth place all-time in receptions at Portland State with 135 in his career.  He is 11th in receiving yards (1,882) and touchdowns (15).
• Mataio Talalemotu's three touchdown receptions were the 11th, 12th and 13th of his career. 
• The last time a Viking had a longer run than Dante Chachere's 72-yarder was Oct. 27, 2018 when Jalani Eason went 82 yards for a score at Sacramento State.
• David Joseph's interception was the second in his career.
• Portland State had its latest home-opening start (Oct. 1) since 2010 (Oct. 2).
• This was just the fourth meeting between the teams in the last 10 seasons and the first at PSU since 2017.
• The Vikings are at home again next week, hosting Division II Lincoln (CA) in a non-conference game.