Portland State quarterback Connor Kavanaugh set a new Big Sky Conference record for season rushing by a quarterback on Saturday in the Vikings' 43-26 win over defending national champion Eastern Washington.

Kavanaugh rushed 24 times for 154 yards in the Viking win, increasing his season total to 807 rushing yards. That breaks the old QB rushing record of 686 yards by Lance Kriesien of Northern Arizona (2007). With 1,711 career rushing yards, the Viking senior is now closing in on the Big Sky career record held by Ken Hobart of Idaho (1,826 yards from 1980-83).

Kavanaugh led PSU to the big win at Eastern Washington with 301 yards of total offense. He also completed 16-23 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. PSU rushed for 338 yards and had 499 yards of total offense.

At 5-3 on the season and 3-2 in the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings have a shot at an NCAA playoff berth. If PSU can win out, an 8-3/6-2 record would get serious consideration from the NCAA committee for the 20-team NCAA I FCS playoffs.

This Saturday, Portland State hosts Sacramento State (3-5/2-4) in another Big Sky Conference game at JELD-WEN Field. Kickoff is 1:05 p.m. PSU plays at Northern Colorado (0-9/0-6) on Nov. 12, then hosts Weber State (3-5/3-2) in the season finale on Nov. 19.

Kavanaugh featured on KATU 2 Sports

ON THE NATIONAL CHARTS
Portland State ranks fourth in the nation in rushing offense with an average of 279.0 yards per game. PSU has 2,232 rushing yards this season, four yards short of last year's total and just 16 yards short of the school record (2,248). That should come in this week's game with Sacramento State.

PSU is 12th in the nation in total offense (435.1) and 17th in scoring offense (34.6).

Connor Kavanaugh ranks 19th in the nation in rushing with 100.9 yards per game. Kavanaugh is third in the Big Sky in rushing.

Despite averaging 146.2 rushing yards and 15.6 points per game, Cory McCaffrey no longer qualifies for national leadership because he has not played in enough games (5).

Kicker Zach Brown made three more field goals at Eastern Washington, increasing his season total to 14-15 made. That ranks in a tie for third in the nation (1.75 per game). He leads the Big Sky in field goals.

After grabbing his third interception of the season at Eastern Washington  - which he returned for a touchdown - linebacker Joel Sisler ranks 19th in pickoffs in the country, second in the Big Sky.

Linebacker Ian Sluss leads the Big Sky and ranks 26th in the nation in tackles for loss (10.5/1.50 average).