NAU takes first conference game from Vikings, 14-10
The Vikings football team played its first conference game in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Saturday. The Lumberjacks of Northern Arizona University were ranked 16th coming into the game, and the Vikings were ranked ninth. Portland State manufactured two drives in the closing minutes of the game at a shot to win but were denied both times. A game that was controlled by both teams’ defenses allowed the Lumberjacks to come out on top, 14-10.
“We actually ran the ball really well, but the all-around consistency of our team could have been better. Just working together as a group, being consistent,” said Vikings tight end Adam Whitehead.
Going into the locker rooms in the first half, neither team was able to put any points on the board. It was in the second half where, offensively, things heated up. The first score of the game came from the defense of NAU. Early in the third quarter, running back Ryan Fuqua fumbled deep in NAU territory. Defensive end Ray Solis picked up the fumble and ran it 4 yards into the end zone to put the Lumberjacks up, 7-0.
The next series was finally the Vikings’ turn to get on the board. They drove 80 yards and capped it off with a big fourth-and-goal conversion from the 1-yard line. Running back Joe Rubin ran in for the touchdown to make it 7-7.
Early in the fourth quarter, Mike Cajal-Willis was able to connect on a 36-yard field goal. Neither defense allowed any more points after the Cajal-Willis field goal. With two minutes left in the game, the Vikings got to the NAU 40-yard line with a first-and-10. After two plays for a loss of yards and one incomplete pass, Juston Wood was intercepted on fourth down to halt the drive. On NAU’s next possession, PSU’s defense was able to get one more stop and a punt. However, Wood was intercepted one last time with the Vikings on the 20-yard line.
“Our passing game was good, it was just that we had to rely on it too much,” Whitehead said.
Wood finished the game 15-34, 138 yards and two interceptions. Running back Ryan Fuqua was held to his lowest total for yards rushing as a starter with 26 carries for 69 yards.
On defense, free safety David Goodloe picked NAU twice, as linebacker Marcus Green and cornerback Daruis Brown were active gathering one interception each. Safeties Jamal Abdullah and Brent Donnerberg recorded 10 tackles apiece to add to the defensive totals.
As far as road games go Portland State is 0-2, including a tough game in Autzen Stadium against the Pac-10 Oregon Ducks. In the game, the Viking’s defense showed surprising strength in stopping the Duck offense several times in the red zone. Fuqua impressed Oregon coaches rushing for 88 yards against the Ducks’ tough defense.
The Vikings return home next weekend to take on Southwest Texas State at PGE Park. The Vikings hope to avenge last year’s 23-20 loss. After this weekend’s non-conference match-up, Portland State will take on Eastern Washington at home the following Saturday in the next Big Sky match-up.
