Different week, same result

An impressive 11,786 fans attended Portland State’s match-up against Montana State at PGE Park Saturday, but sitting in the stands wasn’t entirely necessary, as a look at the box score tells the entire story of the Vikings’ 50-36 loss.

The box score reveals that Portland State (2-8, 2-5) allowed 450 total offensive yards, freshman quarterback Drew Hubel threw five interceptions, the Bobcats (6-4, 4-3) averaged 14.6 yards per completion and 3.6 yards per carry, and the Vikings gave up 36 fourth-quarter points.

With those numbers, winning is improbable, if not impossible for any team.

For the Vikings, the statistics meant their fifth-consecutive conference defeat and another wrong turn in a season that was billed as one where it seemed Portland State was headed in only the right direction.

“You can’t win if you turn the ball over five times,” said head coach Jerry Glanville. “I am very proud of the way that a lot of the people played. There’s not much to play for other than what’s inside each guy. Unfortunately, we’re not getting the job done”

Before the Bobcats’ fourth-quarter offensive explosion, the Portland State defense had held Montana State in check, allowing only 14 points through the first three quarters.

Epitomizing the Vikings’ solid defensive performance prior to the late-game meltdown, junior corner back Stanley Jackson tied a Portland State record with three interceptions in the first two periods, and now has five picks in his last three games.

“For two-and-a-half quarters we were playing great defensive football,” said junior linebacker Andy Schantz. “Not to make any excuses, but I feel like we got a horrible call… [the officials] called it a face mask on a third-and-long play. It gave them really good field position and they scored. It seemed like the screws fell off after that.”

Like it has almost the entire season, the Vikings’ offense racked up a substantial amount of yardage (402 total). But the offense was far less balanced, with Hubel chucking the ball up 66 times for 339 yards and the Vikings’ rushing attack only garnering 63 yards on 23 attempts, at 2.7 yards per carry average.

With injuries to both of its top-two rushers in sophomore fullback Bobby McClintock and senior fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin, who are both out for the season, Portland State had to rely on converted junior linebacker Ronnie Fa’avae.

In his fill-in role, Fa’avae was effective, carrying the ball 16 times for 79 yards, good enough for 4.9 yards per carry. But Hubel cost the Vikings 30 rushing yards on a combination of rushes and sacks.

Despite Portland State’s less-than-anticipated win total and a current five-game losing streak, there still is some fight in the Vikings, according to one of the team’s leaders.

“Even though there’s some hard times, and we’ve hit some rough spots this season, I don’t think we’ve ever quit. I think that says a lot about our character,” Schantz said.

The Vikings, who are seventh in the Big Sky standings, will wrap their season up next week versus a Northern Colorado squad that sits in the Big Sky cellar at 1-6 against conference foes and 1-10 overall.

“I think it’s extremely important,” Schantz said about ending the season with a win. “Put aside our record, put aside how we’ve played–we’re going to out there this week and have a tough, physical practice, and we’re going to go into Northern Colorado and hopefully play sound football on both sides of the ball.”

Digits

5

Interceptions thrown by Viking quarterback Drew Hubel, four less than the nine touchdown passes the freshman threw in his college debut versus Weber State.

50 percent

Montana State’s third-down conversion rate, as the Bobcats went eight for 16 when faced with a third-down scenario. On the other hand, Portland State went four for 13 on third-down conversions, a 31.7 percent success rate.

15

Penalties committed by Portland State against the Bobcats Saturday. The penalties amounted to 137 yards, much more than Montana State’s six penalties for 64 yards.

36

Points Montana State scored in the fourth quarter. The Bobcats only amassed 14 points through the first three periods.

-30

Rushing yards for Hubel, who was sacked four times for 22 yards.

100 percent

The Vikings success rate inside the red zone, as Portland State connected on two field goals and four touchdowns.

Coming up:

Portland State Vikings (2-8, 2-5) at Northern Colorado Bears (1-10, 1-6)

11 a.m.Saturday, Nov. 17

Radio: AM 910 KTRO

Last meeting: Vikings def. Bears 45-3Series: Portland State have won three of four matchups