San Luis Obispo, CA – Needing a big-time effort to get in the win column, the Portland State Vikings got just that from running back Delon Thompson and defensive back Carsten Mamaril. Thompson rushed for a career-high 184 yards and scored four touchdowns, while Mamaril made two interceptions and broke up three more passes, on the way to a 40-35 Viking win over Cal Poly at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.
 
The Vikings had season-highs of 40 points and 502 yards of total offense. On defense, they forced three crucial second-half three-and-outs and created three turnovers.
 
The result was a first win of the season for the Vikings – and a road win at that – as they improve to 1-8 on the season, 1-4 in the Big Sky. Cal Poly dropped to 3-6, 1-4.
 
"It's very satisfying getting this win," said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum. "These guys have been going to work for quite a while and not getting paid. It's like a government shutdown. But they got paid today and I'm really proud of them. Delon and Carsten really shined among all the others.
 
"We needed this. I'm proud of the program. A lot goes into this and these guys deserved the win."
 
Portland State took advantage of a Cal Poly miscue to take a first-quarter lead. On a Viking punt, the returner fumbled the ball and it was gobbled up by PSU's Kristian Ingman. A moment later, John-Keawe Sagapolutele lobbed a pass down the right sideline to Thompson and he went in for a 30-yard score.
 
Cal Poly quarterback Ty Dieffenbach came back with a 16-yard scoring run for the Mustangs to tie the game at 7-7 with 4:06 left in the first quarter. But PSU would lead the rest of the way.
 
The Vikings followed with two more scoring drives. A 65-yarder that included 5-5 passing by Sagapolutele ended with Thompson scoring on a two-yard run. The Vikings then snuffed out a fake punt try on Cal Poly's next possession. They took over on a short field and went on to score again on a short run by Thompson.
 
PSU got to halftime with a 24-14 lead over the Mustangs behind three touchdowns by Thompson.
 
Early in the second half Thompson made it four scores with the longest run of his career – a 77-yarder – to boost PSU's lead to 31-14.
 
Cal Poly came back with a pair of scoring drives to close the margin. Uribe followed with his second field goal of the game for a 34-28 Viking lead. Then, the Vikings got their biggest defensive play of the game – a second interception by Mamaril. PSU took over deep in Cal Poly territory as the game moved to the fourth quarter.
 
PSU needed just five plays and got a six-yard touchdown run from Tyrese Smith. A failed two-point try had the Vikings ahead 40-28 with 13:16 left in the game. And that is where the score stayed until the final minute. PSU's defense got a pair of three-and-outs, but when the Vikings had to punt with a minute to go, the Cal Poly offense woke up. A big run led to a score and PSU needed to recover an onside kick to close out the victory.
 
In all, Thompson rushed 26 times for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He caught three passes for 54 yards and a score.
 
Sagapolutele was 17-26 passing for 252 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
 
Terence Loville led all receivers with four receptions for 86 yards.
 
On defense, Mamaril had the two picks, three breakups and a pair of tackles. Safety Isaiah Green made nine tackles, including one for loss and broke up a pass. Pierce Walker, Jaxton Helmstetler and Jerome Roberts each made five tackles.
 

GAME NOTES

• With four touchdowns in the game, Delon Thompson more than doubled his total for the season. He has six rushing and one receiving score this year… Thompson also had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season.
• Carsten Mamaril now has three interceptions to lead the Vikings this season.
• Mathias Uribe has made 10 consecutive field goals over the last six games… Uribe currently holds the PSU record for field goal percentage in a season (11-12, .917 last season) and a career (21-25, .840).
• The winner in the series between PSU and Cal Poly has had at least 34 points in all 12 Division I meetings. Today was no different.
• PSU comes home to host Sacramento State next week at Hillsboro Stadium.