Hillsboro, OR – Once Portland State's defense settled in, the Viking offense took off. The result was 35 unanswered points and another win for PSU, 35-21, over Northern Colorado at Hillsboro Stadium.
 
PSU gave up 14 early points to the Bears, but then the defense buckled down, halting UNC on eight straight possessions. The Bears had a fumble, an interception, four punts, a blocked field goal and another missed field goal in that defensive stand.
 
Meanwhile, Viking quarterback Dante Chachere threw touchdowns on four straight possessions in the second quarter turning a 14-0 deficit into a 28-14 lead by halftime. The Vikings scored again to lead 35-14 midway through the third quarter. UNC then tacked on a late score with 4:14 remaining in the game.
 
"Once the defense got settled in and stuck their feet in the sand the game changed," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "It's a testament to the players and coaches. It wasn't the start we wanted but what the defense did rallied the troops for us. The defense allowed us to get the momentum back and it was pretty cool to watch."
 
PSU's win moves it to .500 in Big Sky Conference play at 3-3. The Viking are 4-5 overall this season with two games to play. The mini two-game winning streak also sets up a big home finale with the Big Sky's best team next Friday night at Hillsboro Stadium. Sacramento State, currently ranked second in the nation, is 9-0 on the season, has the nation's longest road winning streak and has not lost a conference game in more than two seasons.
 
Northern Colorado took control early in the contest, converting touchdowns on its first two possessions. The second score came after the Vikings had moved to the UNC 16-yard line but fumbled the ball away. PSU trailed 14-0 after the first quarter.

Portland State grabbed the second quarter momentum on the first play. Chachere hit a streaking Mataio Talalemotu down the right sideline for a 64-yard score. 
 
Then, three plays later, defensive tackle EJ Ane recovered a Bears' fumble at the UNC 41. The Vikings needed only four plays to score. Jalynnee McGee rushed twice for 20 yards, caught a pass for nine yards, then his backfield mate, Jobi Malary, caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Chachere. Suddenly the game was tied 14-14 at the 12:14 mark of the second quarter.
 
After the Viking defense got a stop on the Bears at midfield forcing a punt, PSU took over again. Starting at their own 20, the Vikings again needed only four plays. Beau Kelly had a seven-yard run, followed by a 30-yard reception. Then Chachere connected with Talalemotu again on a 37-yard post pattern for a touchdown. In just eight minutes of play, the Vikings had turned a 14-point deficit into a 21-14 lead.
 
Chachere threw his fourth touchdown pass just before halftime, hitting Maclaine Griffin on a 38-yard strike. 
 
PSU led 28-14 at intermission behind Chachere's 238 passing yards and four scores. Talalemotu had three catches for 103 yards and two scores. Overall, PSU had 345 yards of offense.
 
Defensively, after giving up two early scores, the Vikings adjusted, forcing the Bears into a fumble and then three consecutive punts before halftime.
 
The defense made two more stops to open the second before the Vikings got on the board again. Kelly returned a punt 22 yards to the UNC 45. From there, Emmanuel Daigbe ripped off 31 yards on four carries before Malary got into the endzone again on a 14-yard run. PSU led 35-14 with 6:14 to go in the third quarter. Northern Colorado never seriously threatened after that.
 
Following his big first half, Chachere settled for 269 passing yards in the game. The Vikings went heavy with the run after getting the lead and it worked. PSU rushed for 224 yards. Daigbe had 13 carries for a career-high 85 yards andMalary rushed 12 times for 81 yards and a score. In all, eight different Vikings carried the ball during the game.
 
"It was good to spread the wealth. We saw some great running out there," said Barnum. 
 
On defense, safety Broderick Harrell had a big game, making 11 stops, one tackle for loss and breaking up a pass. Defensive tackle EJ Ane continued his fine play with seven tackles, two for losses and his team-leading sixth sack of the season. Michael Jackson, getting his first career start at cornerback, delivered with two interceptions, a forced fumble, a pass breakup and four tackles. 
 
Northern Colorado resorted to the pass in the second half and quarterback Dylan McCaffrey threw for 328 yards in all. He completed 28-47 passes with two interceptions and one touchdown. Zain Zinicola had 11 catches for 119 yards and a score.
 
GAME NOTES

• Portland State has won three straight games against the Bears and leads the all-time series 10-5, 8-4 in Big Sky games.
• The Vikings are 3-1 at home.
• Portland State forced three turnovers in all, the most this season.
• Now with 18 career receiving touchdowns, SR WR Mataio Talalemotu ranks tied for seventh all-time at Portland State. SR WR Beau Kelly is tied for 10th with 17.
• SR LB Robert Holt blocked a field goal in the third quarter. It was the first FG block by a Viking in three seasons.
• Portland State completes its home schedule next Friday night, when it hosts second-ranked and undefeated Sacramento State (9-0). Game time is 6 p.m. and it will air on ESPN+.