Vikings’ arsenal overpowers Weber State
The Portland State football team overcame a slow start against the Weber State Wildcats to win 65-43 in front of a crowd of over 7,000 Saturday.
The win puts PSU at 3-3, and 2-1 in conference play. Weber State drops to 1-6, 1-4 in the Big Sky,PSU’s offense totaled a whopping 696 yards. The 65 points scored were the most by PSU since a 105-0 win over Delaware State in 1980.
The two teams went back and forth in the first two quarters with Weber State’s Johnnie Gray scoring twice, and Terry Charles answering for PSU with two touchdown catches. Charles had an impressive night with 12 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns. Charles’ 150 yards moved him into second place in PSU history for all-time receiving yards with 2,695. He also is tied for fourth in touchdowns with 20.
Ryan Fuqua, who was on his way to a huge 208 yard, three-touchdown night, ran for a 44-yard touchdown to give the Viks the lead in the second quarter. The Wildcats answered with a 20-yard TD pass to tie at the half, 21-21.
The Vikings were on a roll in the second half, outscoring WSU 44-22 in the last two quarters. In the third quarter, PSU quarterback Justin Wood found Jesse Levin for a 67-yard touchdown pass.
Wood connected again with Levin at the end of the third quarter for a 70-yard touchdown pass, the longest reception of the season. Wood was 25-38, with 394 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Levin was the Vikings’ leading receiver with seven catches for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
The Vikings got seven more points on a 9-yard carry from the relentless Fuqua. The Vikings weren’t about to let up either. Antonio Jackson made a diving catch early in the fourth and added seven more points for PSU. Tailback Hashim Hall capped off PSU’s scoring with a huge 82-yard touchdown run. Hall only had two carries but totaled 95 yards.
All Weber State fans could do was watch as their team unraveled. The Wildcats turned the ball over four times, twice resulting in Viking touchdowns. Wildcat quarterback Tyler Gladwell threw for 357 yards and running back sensation Johnnie Gray rushed for 177 yards. Although the Wildcats’ weapons totaled 569 yards, they couldn’t counter the scoring arsenal of the Vikings.
Mitch Fitzhugh had a big defensive night with seven tackles, one sack and an interception stopping WSU’s drive at the Vikings two yard line.
Portland State hits the road next week to face Montana in another Big Sky Conference match up. Kickoff is at 12:05 p.m. and can be seen on Fox Sport Net, or heard on KFXX 910 AM.
