Hillsboro, OR – Weber State took advantage of five Portland State turnovers on its way to a 43-27 Big Sky Conference win at Hillsboro Stadium.
 
The Wildcats got an early pick-six, then scored three more times after Viking mistakes in the second half. Weber State improved to 3-4 on the season, 1-2 in the Big Sky. Portland State dropped to 0-7, 0-3.
 
It was a frustrating day for the Vikings. Weber State had struggled to defend the run all year, but found an answer against PSU, holding the Vikings to 65 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, the Wildcats rushed for 220 of their 370 total yards. The Vikings actually out-gained WSU with 378 yards, but turnovers were the difference.
 
"I told the defense they did a great job scraping and scratching to keep us in the game," said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum. "But the field position from the turnovers and the miscues, that is what hurt. It wasn't our defense. We made them punt, stopped them twice on fourth down. But there are two other phases to the game and we need to play all three to win the game. Turnovers were our downfall."
 
The Vikings have had better starts. Weber State got an early field goal then a pick-six on PSU's first offensive series. A blocked extra point gave the Wildcats a quick 9-0 lead.
 
PSU answered with a pair of field goals from Mathais Uribe, from 27 and 36 yards. The Wildcats closed the half with a 34-yard field goal for a 12-6 lead.
 
In between, it was mostly a defensive struggle. Weber State held the Vikings' running game to a mere 13 yards in the half. PSU had 156 total yards. The Vikings forced Weber State into a 6-16 passing effort with an interception and three pass breakups.
 
But the third quarter was different. Wildcats running back Chris Sylvester made his mark with a breakaway 43-yard run, then later in the series scored on a one-yard run.
 
The Vikings followed with a pair of turnovers on their next two possessions. An interception allowed Weber State to tack on another field goal for a 22-6 advantage. Then a strip-sack of quarterback John-Keawe Sagapolutele set up the Wildcats at the PSU 16-yard line. Three plays later Zach Hrbacek scored on a five-yard carry. The Wildcats led 29-6 with 4:15 left in the third quarter. At that point, PSU's four turnovers had led to 19 of WSU's 29 points.
 
Tyrese Smith took over at quarterback for the Vikings on the next series. He sparked the team to a touchdown, completing 4-4 passes for 33 yards and rushing 27 yards on four carries. The redshirt freshman rumbled in on a 15-yard run up the middle. That made it 29-13 WSU with 14 minutes to play.
 
Each team added two more scores, but the Vikings could never get closer than 16 points.
 
Safety Isaiah Green made 10 tackles to lead the Vikings. Safety Pierce Walker and cornerback Bryson Ross each made eight stops. Ross added a second-quarter interception.
 
PSU rushed 33 times for only 65 yards. Smith did provide a spark with seven carries for 38 yards and two scores. He also passed for 170 yards and a touchdown after entering the game in the third quarter. PSU passed for 313 total yards among three quarterbacks.
 
Sylvester starred for Weber State with 135 rushing yards.
 

GAME NOTES

• Weber State was PSU's first unranked home opponent. The Vikings had played seven nationally-ranked opponents in its last eight home games, five of which were in the top 10… for the second year in a row, PSU's schedule is ranked as the most difficult in the nation. 
• Cru Newman completed a pass for five yards, rushed twice for 12 yards, caught three passes for 50 yards and returned five kicks for 91 yards.
• Portland State goes on the road to play at Idaho next week.