An electric second quarter propelled the Portland State Vikings to a 35-21 Big Sky Conference victory over Northern Colorado on Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium. The Vikings, trailing 14-0 after one quarter, got inspired play by its defense the rest of the way, and the offense scored 35 unanswered points - including four straight touchdown passes by quarterback Dante Chachere in the decisive second period.
 
PSU's second straight win improved it to 3-3 in the Big Sky, tying them for sixth place with Montana. The Vikings are 4-5 overall this season. With two games to play, PSU can shoot for a winning season and winning conference record.
 
The Vikings have faced an incredibly challenging schedule this season as the Big Sky has consistently had five nationally-ranked teams, four of which have spent most of the season in the top 10. PSU has already faced three ranked teams: Montana (#2 at the time of the game), Weber State (#6) and Idaho (#17). But they will likely be facing their strongest Big Sky opponent yet this Friday night in the home finale at Hillsboro Stadium. Sacramento State enters the game a perfect 9-0, 6-0 in the Big Sky, and was ranked second in the nation prior to yesterday's road win at number-five Weber State, 33-30. The Hornets have also beaten Montana and Idaho.
 
It is conceivable that the Hornets may have the best team in the nation, and they have the remarkable feat of not losing a road game to an FCS team since 2018. Sacramento State has not lost a conference game since 2019, going 21-1 in the Big Sky since the start of that season.
 
Portland State accepts the challenge of this week's opponent knowing it is coming off its best two offensive games of the season, and has a defense that has overcome numerous injuries to perform well by making big plays at key moments.
 
"In the Big Sky it doesn't get any easier, but it sets up the next game to be a big game," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "Sac State is doing really well in the conference. We now get a crack at them while they are at the top of their game. We have kept the work effort going into November and that's important."
 

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Viking defense made an adjustment to a 3-4 look to open the game with Northern Colorado to accommodate its available personnel. The Bears scored on their first two possessions but then the Vikings buckled down, stopping UNC on its next eight possessions (fumble, punt, punt, punt, missed FG, punt, blocked field goal, interception). That defensive performance allowed the offense to score 35 unanswered points and take control of the game.
• PSU forced a season-high three turnovers against Northern Colorado… SO CB Michael Jackson, making his first career start, had a big game making two interceptions in the fourth quarter as the Bears were trying to mount a comeback. Jackson added four tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup… for the second game in a row SR S Broderick Harrell made 11 tackles. He leads the Vikings with 52 tackles this season… SR DT EJ Ane continues to produce as well. Pressed into duty at defensive end due to injuries, Ane made seven tackles, two for losses, picked up his team-leading sixth sack of the season, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble.
• Portland State has rushed for 651 yards on 102 carries in the last two wins. The Viking running game has gotten big contributions from SO RB Jobi Malary, SR WR Emmanuel Daigbe, SO RB JoJo Siofele and SO QB Dante Chachere in those games… on the flip side, the passing game has been efficient with Chachere completing 30-43 passes (70%) for 470 yards and five touchdowns.
• SR WR Mataio Talalemotu continues to put up big numbers for the Vikings. He caught three passes for 103 yards, including TD receptions of 64 and 37 yards. Talalemotu has eight receiving TDs (16th in the nation), 10 total TDs, and averages 21.3 yards per catch (8th in the nation) this season… with 18 career receiving touchdowns Talalemotu now ranks seventh all-time in PSU history.
• SO QB Dante Chachere is on a roll again. In his past two games he has 610 yards of total offense and is responsible for seven touchdowns (five passing, two rushing). Chachere has completed 61% of his passes this season for 1,778 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also leads the team in rushing with 464 yards (616 positive yards) and six TDs.
• SO RB Jobi Malary got into the endzone twice against Northern Colorado - once rushing and once receiving. They were his first two touchdowns this season. Malary has 31 carries for 229 yards and two receptions for 33 yards over the past two weeks… SR WR Emmanuel Daigbe has been converted to a part-time running back and it has been effective. In the Vikings' two wins he has 20 carries for 154 yards and two receptions for 64 yards. 

 
Portland State plays its final home game this Friday night at Hillsboro Stadium against one of the nation's best, Sacramento State. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. and the game airs on ESPN+. It will be Senior Night and an exclusive Rose City Viks hat will be given away to the first 300 fans in attendance.
 
The regular season concludes on Nov. 19 at Cal Poly. That game also airs on ESPN+ at 5 p.m.