Vikings end season with a home loss

November 19, 2011, 7:58 pm

A five-touchdown performance by CJ Tuckett dashed the Portland State Vikings hopes for an eight-win season and a possible NCAA playoff berth as Weber State won the season finale, 48-33, at JELD-WEN Field.

The Vikings had taken a 30-27 lead with 8:51 to play on a Zach Brown field goal. But Tuckett scored on a four-yard run just a minute and 21 seconds later to get the lead back for the Wildcats. On the Vikings' ensuing possession, quarterback Connor Kavanaugh threw an interception that Anthony Morales returned to the Viking 11. Tuckett scored again on a three-yard run four plays later, making 41-30. Tuckett rushed 20 times for 211 yards and five scores, including three in the decisive fourth period.

Brown kicked a 32-yard field goal at the 2:26 mark, closing it to 41-33. But the onside kick, recovered by the Vikings' Manoa Latu was touched before going a full 10 yards. The Wildcats took possession, and three plays later, on a third-and-one situation, Tuckett broke free for a 30-yard touchdown. His score made it 48-33 and broke the backs of the Vikings.

PSU ended the season at 7-4, 5-3 and third place in the Big Sky Conference. It was a five-game improvement over last year's 2-9 mark. Weber State finished at 5-6, 5-3 and tied with the Vikings in the Big Sky.

It was a wild offensive game in the first half as the teams traded scores throughout and totaled 500 yards of offense. Weber State got to halftime with a 27-20 lead.
PSU's defense finally slowed down the Wildcats in the third period, forcing them into a pair of three-and-outs.

An early third-period drive by the Vikings tied the game. PSU went eight plays and 67 yards, getting a one-yard scoring run from Justin Lilley. That made it 27-27.
Brown's early fourth-quarter field goal gave PSU a 30-27 lead and it appeared the Vikings would get a coveted eighth win. But, the Wildcats' running game reemerged as PSU was outscored 21-6 in the period.

The Wildcats had 374 yards of total offense, with 268 coming on the ground. Portland State moved the ball with 496 yards of total offense, but had two turnovers, gave up a blocked punt and failed on a fake field goal try.

Still, Kavanaugh completed 22-37 passes for a career-high 364 yards and two touchdowns. Nevin Lewis caught six balls for 143 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown pass. Kalua Noa (7-94) and Justin Monahan (5-80-1) also had good receiving games.Ryan Rau made 11 tackles and Manoa Latu had 10 stops ad an interception.

It was an exciting finish to the Vikings season.