In the final home game of the season, the Portland State Vikings lost by a single point to the Sacramento State Hornets 43-42. Portland State had the lead since midway through the 1st quarter, but Hornet quarter back, Garret Safron, capped off a brilliant performance by throwing the go-ahead touchdown with 30 seconds left in the game. When PSU got the ball back, an interception was thrown on the second play, ending their chance for last second heroics. Safron also ran in two touchdowns himself. The Vikings held the opposing QB to 116 passing yards in the first half, but a second half explosion left him with a whopping 554 yards on four TD’s and a single interception.
In conjunction with Senior Day, the team held its annual banquet where end-of-season team awards are handed out. Most Valuable Player went to running back D.J. Adams, who had a record setting day despite the loss. Adams, a senior, ran for 249 yards (10th all-time in school history) and five touchdowns.
While Adams’ running and Safron’s throwing led their respective teams offensively, both defensive squads struggled to contain the ball and plug holes. Sacramento Sate racked up 628 yards averaging almost 8 per play, PSU had 713 with 8.5 yards averaged.
In the first quarter, the Hornets jumped to an early lead, kicking in a 24 yard field goal at the 10:34 mark. The Vikings responded with an Adams TD at 7:48. The quarter ended with PSU up 7-3.
The second quarter featured another TD by Adams and in the final minute each team threw for TD’s, PSU’s coming with 00:00 on the clock, a 14 yard pass from Colin Ramirez to Victor Dean. PSU led 21-10.
Both teams offesnsive units were clicking in the 3rd, Safron and Adams each ran in a pair of TD’s and Safron threw to DeAndre Carter who broke tackle after tackle en route to a 78 yard scoring run following the pass. The Vikings clung to a four point lead 35-31.
PSU thought they had it won in the fourth after a 66 yard TD run from Adams; the Vikings were up 42-31 with 9:25 left to play. But Safron could not be stopped, he found Austin Dotson for a 26 yard TD before his game-winning drive and his fourth receiver for a score that game, a 4 yard pass to Cole Hikutini. Portland State’s defense was led by LB Jaycob Shoemaker with 11 tackles and S. David Edgersen made his fifth interception of season; he is currently the Big Sky INT leader. This year PSU was 4-2 at Jeld-Wen Field.
In addition to team MVP honors, Adams also received Most Valuable Offensive Back and Most Inspirational Player for the second consecutive year. Mitchell Van Dyke was selected as the teams most valuable offensive lineman, and Bryant Long for defensive line. Dean Faddis missed much of the last two seasons with a broken foot, but this year recorded 84 tackles and Outstanding Defensive Back Award. Kyle Loomis, considered one of the nations top punters, was the Special Teams Player of the Year.