Portland, OR – Taking down number-two Montana was always going to be a massive challenge for the Portland State Vikings. And when PSU gave the Griz opportunities, they were ready. Montana took advantage of five Portland State turnovers on its way to a 63-17 victory at Providence Park.
 
Montana entered the game leading the Big Sky Conference in interceptions with 13. That stat was fattened with five picks of Portland State quarterbacks during the game. Those plays made the difference as all five interceptions led to Montana touchdowns on drives of 34 yards or less.
 
"Turnovers have been a problem for us this season," said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum. "When you play a team of this quality, they are magnified."
 
Oddly enough, the game could not have started better for the Vikings. First, Pierce Walker recovered a designed opening squib kickoff to Montana at the Griz 30-yard line. On PSU's first play, running back Delon Thompson ripped off a 23-yard run, then quarterback Tyrese Smith took a keeper in for touchdown from seven yards out. In less than a minute, PSU was ahead 7-0.
 
Montana responded with a score on its second series. Then, the Griz grabbed the lead on the final play of the first quarter. Big Sky leading rusher Eli Gillman broke away on a 60-yard scoring run and Montana led 14-7.
 
Portland State moved the ball effectively, but was undone by interceptions. Twice in the first half, the Vikings drove into Montana territory only to be picked off. TJ Rausch made a first-quarter interception and 51-yard return. Micah Harper intercepted a pass in the second quarter and returned it 55 yards. Both picks allowed Montana to have short scoring drives of 34 and 13 yards.
 
PSU got a 33-yard field goal by Mathias Uribe late in the second quarter to make it 21-10 at halftime. At that point, PSU had outgained the Griz, 262-154, but the turnovers cost them 14 points.
 
On the opening drive of the second half, the Vikings were intercepted again. This time, Montana's Peyton Wing returned the ball 34 yards to the PSU 2. Three plays later, the Griz were in the end zone again.
 
A fourth pick came a few moments later and the return put Montana at the PSU 22. That too led to a Montana touchdown and a 35-10 lead. Twenty-eight of the points had come directly from interceptions.
 
The fifth interception came in the final quarter. And again, Montana needed to drive only 30 yards for another score.
 
Smith provided some excitement for the Vikings in the fourth quarter with a 75-yard touchdown run. He finished with a career-high 101 yards rushing on 11 carries, scoring two touchdowns. Wide receiver Terence Loville made five receptions for 70 yards.
 
Portland State finished with 361 yards of total offense to 455 for the Grizzlies.
 
On defense, Walker and linebacker Jerome Roberts each made eight tackles. Roberts had four tackles for loss as well. Defensive end Spencer Elliott made four tackles, three for losses and recovered a fumble.
 

GAME NOTES

• The pomp and circumstance of Portland State playing its first game at Providence Park in seven years was evident. The last time PSU played at Providence Park was Oct. 13, 2018, a 35-14 win over Northern Colorado. The Vikings last played a full season at Providence Park in 2016… PSU had its largest home crowd (9,075) since an Oct. 31, 2015 game against Montana at Providence Park. The Vikings beat the Griz that day, 35-16, before a crowd of 11,045… Viking Coaching Legend Mouse Davis was honored at halftime as the university has created an endowment in his name.
• Mathias Uribe extended his consecutive field goal streak to 12. That is a Portland State record.
• Montana, ranked second in the nation, was PSU's fifth nationally-ranked opponent of the season… the Vikings have played more all-time games against Montana (49) than any other member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Portland State's season finale is next Saturday at Northern Colorado. Kickoff off is noon MT/11 a.m. PT. The game can be seen on ESPN+.