Portland, OR - Portland State played one of its best defensive games of the season Saturday afternoon, but fifth-ranked Montana was even better in dropping the Vikings, 29-12, in a Big Sky Conference football game before 12,071 fans at PGE Park.
The visiting Grizzlies increased their record to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the Big Sky Conference. Portland State fell to 3-6 and 2-4.
The outcome of the game was in doubt most of the day, until Montana running back Chase Reynolds scored two second-half touchdowns to put the game out of reach.
The Vikings came into the game averaging 415.4 passing yards and 441.2 total yards per game, but the Grizzlies held them to just 195 yards through the air and 210 overall.
The Grizzlies also intercepted three passes by PSU quarterback Drew Hubel, who replaced starter Tygue Howland in the second quarter.
Montana led just 9-5 after the first half. The Grizzlies struck first on Brody McKnight's 36-yard first-quarter field goal and got the game's first touchdown seven minutes later when quarterback Cole Bergquist scrambled 21 yards for a score.
PSU blocked the extra point attempt, though, and Viking linebacker Andy Schantz scooped it up and went the length of the field for two points. PSU kicker Danny Urrego's 30-yard field goal, the only score for either team in the second quarter, drew the Vikings to within four points at the half.
Portland State's defense held the Griz to just 153 total yards in the first half.
Reynolds scored the first of his three second-half touchdowns on an 11-yard, fourth-down run up the middle. The TD came at the end of a 52-yard, seven-play drive that began when Portland State fumbled the ball away near midfield.
The Vikings struck back within 67 seconds, though, as Hubel hit Ray Fry over the middle for a 38-yard touchdown that brought Portland State back to within four points.
That was the end of the Vikings run, though. Montana stiffened on defense and shut the Vikings down the rest of the way.
Reynolds wound up with 160 rushing yards on 35 carries. Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist had a symmetrical day, rushing for 119 yards and passing for 118 more.
Viking quarterbacks combined for just 11-32 passing and 195 yards in the game.
GAME NOTES: Portland State managed just 210 yards of offense on the day and had four turnovers. It was the fewest yards of offense for the Vikings in the past two seasons... Montana dominated the time of possession with 85 plays, running off just 43:21 of the clock... Aaron Dickson led the defense with 14 tackles. KJ McCrae had 10 tackles, including 4.5 for losses and two sacks... PSU made 14 tackles for loss and four sacks on defense... the Vikings have lost four in a row to Montana, and lost their first home game of the year (3-1)... Portland State travels to Montana State next week for a game that will be televised on Comcast SportsNet. Kickoff is 11 p.m. PT.
