Hillsboro, OR – Third-ranked Montana State left no question where it stands in the hierarchy of the Big Sky Conference and FCS Football nationally on Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium. The Bobcats, behind the nation's second-ranked running game and a top-10 defense, rolled over Portland State, 44-14.
 
The Bobcats rushed for 323 yards, had 607 yards total and held Portland State to a season-low 235 yards in maintaining their perfect season. MSU moves to 8-0 on the season, 4-0 in the Big Sky Conference, with the win. The Vikings are now 1-6 on the year, 1-3 in the Big Sky.
 
A methodical start by both teams left the score at only 7-0 MSU after the first quarter. But Montana State exploded for four second-quarter touchdowns and had the game out of reach at halftime, 35-0. At intermission, the Bobcats already had over 400 yards of offense to only 91 for the Vikings.
 
PSU played better in the second half, holding MSU to three field goals, and despite a 14-9 advantage, it was too little, too late.
 
Scottre Humphrey led a Bobcats running game that averaged 8.3 yards per carry with 160 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Quarterback Tommy Mellott was efficient, completing 15-20 passes for 239 yards and three scores.
 
Vikings quarterback Dante Chachere was stymied by a Bobcats defense that leads the Big Sky in fewest yards allowed and fewest points allowed this season. Coming off a National Player of the Week honor, Chachere completed 11-18 passes for only 64 yards and was intercepted once. He netted only four rushing yards.
 
Delon Thompson was PSU's most effective offensive weapon, carrying the ball 12 times for 78 yards and a nine-yard touchdown run. The Vikings other score came from backup QB Will Haskell, who led the Vikings on a 75-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Haskell rushed in from 12 yards out.
 
"That is a team that will go a long way in the playoffs," said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum of the Bobcats. "They run it well and their defense stifled us. We're not bad on offense, but they got after us. They were physical early and we didn't answer the bell."
 

GAME NOTES

• Isaiah Green led the defense with 10 tackles from his safety position. Michael Montgomery had eight tackles and Peyton Wing added seven stops.
• Montana State has beaten the Vikings five games in a row. PSU's last win in the series came in 2015.
• The game with Montana State is the first of four straight games against 2023 playoff teams. Coming up are Sacramento State, Idaho and Montana.
• Portland State has a bye on Oct. 26. The Vikings will play at Sacramento State on Nov. 2.