Lake Charles, LA -- The Jerry Glanville era did not open well for the Portland State Vikings as they lost 35-12 at 10th-ranked McNeese State.
The 13th-ranked Vikings suffer the disappointment of an opening loss as they look ahead to a pair of home games over the next two weeks.
A veteran McNeese State team controlled the ball and time of possession in the first half, mounting three long drives for touchdowns. The Cowboys had 12-, 9- and 11-play drives that worked well on both the ground and through the air. MSU gained 203 yards of offense in the half and took a 21-6 lead to the lockerroom.
Portland State moved the ball inside the Cowboys' 10-yard line three times in the first 20 minutes, but got just two field goals and one missed field goal for their efforts. Tygue Howland led a 15-play drive at the start of the second half. The result was a 36-yard field goal by Chris Chalmers - his third of the game. PSU pulled within 21-9, but could get no closer.
McNeese answered with another touchdown late in the third period to go up 28-9. A Chalmers field goal in the fourth period made it 28-12. But, a 51-yard strike from Derrick Fourroux to Immanuel Friddle with 9:07 left sealed the deal for McNeese State.
The Cowboys were effective offensively, gaining 395 total yards, with 204 coming on the ground. Quarterback Derrick Fourroux completed 11 of 23 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for another 64 yards.
Portland State moved it well through the air, but couldn't balance the offense enough to be effective. PSU made seven trips to the red-zone but scored just four times, all coming on field goals. Wide receiver David Lewis caught a game-high six passes for the Vikings, gaining 64 yards. Fullback Bobby McClintock had six receptions for 57 yards, but a late-game knee injury has the Vikings worried. McClintock will be evaluated by team doctors upon the Vikings' return to Portland.
Andy Schantz and Micheal Dorsey each had nine tackles to lead the Vikings. Dorsey also forced a first-half fumble.
GAME NOTES: In the last meeting between the schools, PSU won 35-14 in
2004 at PGE Park... as expected, both returning quarterbacks saw action for PSU. Tygue Howland completed 12 of 24 passes for 126 yards.
Brian White was 11-18 for 150 yards... PSU had won six of its last seven openers prior to the loss to McNeese... it also ends a string of four straight wins over NCAA FCS teams... the Vikings open their home schedule next Saturday, hosting UC Davis at 6:05 p.m.
