Hillsboro, OR – The first eight minutes were the worst eight minutes for the Portland State Vikings and they would never fully recover, losing 38-24 to the Idaho State Bengals at Hillsboro Stadium.
 
In the opening eight minutes of the game, the Vikings managed only 15 total yards on three offensive possessions. Meanwhile, the Bengal passing game – the most productive in the Big Sky Conference at 350 yards per game – led the charge on two scoring drives in their first two possessions, jumping to a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
 
Portland State would briefly tie the game early in the second quarter but was never able to take control or build momentum. The result was PSU's first home loss of the season. The Vikings dropped to 3-4 overall, 2-2 in the Big Sky Conference. Idaho State won its second in a row and is 3-4 overall, 3-1 in the Big Sky.
 
"What happened over the first eight minutes, we weren't dialed up and ready to go. That's on coaching. I have to have them prepared for a better start than that. We have always come out of the gate rolling (this season), but not today. We responded by trying to grind out a win. But when you do that and you drop a ball, or make it penalty, it's magnified," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum. "They came and got after us. Good for them."
 
The Vikings finally got on the board late the first quarter. A short ISU punt set up PSU at the Bengal 45. The Vikings needed nine plays before big back Andrew Van Buren rambled in for a three-yard touchdown.
 
PSU tied the game on one of the highlights of the season midway through the second quarter. On a third-down-and-six play from the ISU 30, quarterback Dante Chachere found wide receiver Marquis Spiker on a leaping, toe-tap catch in the back right corner of the endzone. Suddenly, the game was tied at 14 with 7:46 to go in the second quarter.
 
But the Bengals struck quickly again, putting together drives of 75 and 81 yards before halftime to lead 28-17 at the break. ISU had 296 yards of offense in the half, including 227 passing.
 
After halftime, the Vikings seemed to get the start they needed. The defense stuffed the Bengals on their first series, as a Slade Shufelt sack led to a three-and-out. Following the ISU punt, Portland State drove 79 yards on 14 plays for a score. Chachere completed 6-8 passes for 59 yards, then capped it off with a three-yard scoring run. That closed the deficit to 28-24.
 
Following a big first half, Idaho State was held to only 27 yards and no points in the third quarter. But that changed early in the fourth when quarterback Hunter Hays broke free for a 37-yard score.
 
Portland State's next drive stalled out just past midfield. The Bengals then ran more than six-and-a-half minutes off the clock before kicking a short field goal. They led 38-24 with 3:47 to play.
PSU drove into Idaho State territory, but a Chachere pass was intercepted in the end zone with just over two minutes left. From there, the Bengals were able to run out the clock.
 
Idaho State out-gained the Vikings 462 yards to 365 yards and did not commit a turnover. The Bengals were equally effective with the run (165) and the pass (297). Portland State, missing backs Quincy Craig and Jobi Malary, weren't the same in the running game, totaling only 100 yards on the ground on 28 carries.
 
Van Buren was the top ground gainer with 39 yards on 12 carries. Chachere was 25-39 passing for 219 yards, one TD and one interception. Spiker had a career-high six receptions for 112 yards. Jermaine Braddock added nine catches for 58 yards and Maclaine Griffin had six catches for 82 yards.
 
Linebacker Michael Montgomery led the defense with 10 tackles. Safety Michael Hurst and linebacker Parker McKenna each had nine tackles. Shufelt had two sacks.

 
GAME NOTES:

• Portland State started four true freshmen in the game: OL Isaac Perez, LBs Jaden DaCosta and Michael Montgomery and DE Elijah Eason.
• JR K Gianni Smith made a 41-yard field goal just before halftime. He is 4-5 on field goals this season. His only miss is from 57 yards.
• Portland State is at home again next Saturday in a Dam Cup Rivalry game against Eastern Washington. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Hillsboro Stadium.