Late Rally Gives Vikings 35-24 Win Over Sacramento State

Vikings QB Brian White completed 26 of 37 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns.

Viking QB Brian White threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Photo courtesy: Portland State Athletics

PORTLAND, Ore. - Quarterback Brian White led a fourth-quarter comeback and linebacker Jordan Senn capped it off with a big defensive play at the end as the Portland State Vikings won their Big Sky Conference opener over Sacramento State, 35-24.

The win was PSU’s first of the year (1-2) and Sacramento State dropped to 0-2.

With the Vikings trailing 24-14 midway through the third quarter, White engineered a 15-play, 85-yard drive.

PSU took advantage of a key third-down penalty by Sacramento State early in the drive and ground it out the rest of the way.

A fourth-down conversion by fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin at the Hornets’ 34-yard line led to the senior fullbacks’ nine-yard touchdown run a moment later.

That put the Vikings within three at 24-21 on the final play of the third period.

Portland State took the ball back with a little more than eight minutes to play and White led the go-ahead touchdown drive.

He hit wide receiver Tremayne Kirkland on a 42-yard score with just 2:06 left in the game.

The extra point made it 28-24 Vikings.

A moment later, the Hornets had driven down to the Viking 33.

But Senn intercepted a pass at the 24-yard line and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown which iced the game with 30 seconds left.

The Hornets had controlled possession early in the game and led most of the way.

Quarterback Jason Smith dominated the game in the first half, completing his first 13 passes and led the Hornets on two eight-play scoring drives.

He connected with Ryan Coogler on a 19-yard scoring strike in the first period.

Then, tailback Evander Wilkens completed a second-quarter drive on a four-yard TD run.

The Vikings followed each Hornet score with a touchdown of their own.

The first came on 47-yard toss from White to Matt Smith with one second left in the first quarter.

PSU finally sustained a drive in the second quarter, going six plays and 84 yards. White dove into the endzone from two yards out.

The score was tied at 14-14, but it didn’t last long.

Sacramento State’s Jody Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown and another Hornet lead, 21-14.

A late drive by Portland State ended in a missed field goal on the final play of the half.

The Vikings had 239 yards of offense in the first half, but gave up five sacks and failed to score off a Hornet fumble and botched punt attempt.

That set up an exciting finish for the Vikings.

White completed 26 of 37 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns.

Kirkland caught nine passes for 109 yards and one score.

Smith had five receptions for 74 yards and a TD.

Senn led the defense with 11 tackles, a pass breakup and the interception.

Cornerback Jordan Brown also had an interception, a fumble recovery and eight tackles on the night.

The Vikings outgained the Hornets, 418 to 394.

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