The Vikings played great defense in the first half and ran the ball well, but a season-high five turnovers proved to be very costly, including three interceptions at the goal line when PSU was driving.

Two turnovers came in the first half when PSU was in Montana territory. A third came early in the fourth quarter at the PSU 30, and two plays later the Griz produced a touchdown that gave them their first two-score lead of the game. The fourth and fifth were interceptions near the goal line when the Vikings were threatening to come back in the fourth quarter.

The 10^th-ranked Griz improved to 8-3 on the season, 5-2 in the Big Sky Conference, with the win. Portland State slipped to 2-8, 2-5.

It was a strange game with three total points in the first half, 35 in the third quarter, seven total turnovers and one major power outage.

“I’ve never seen a first half like that at Missoula, 3-0, but I like how my team played,” said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum. “You can’t go anywhere, especially Missoula, make five turnovers, get down to the red zone and not cash in. It was a true bend-but-don’t-break defense by the Griz today.”

Portland State had an excellent first quarter but managed only three points. The Vikings had drives of 61 yards and 59 yards. The first resulted in a 40-yard field goal from Mathias Uribe. The second was terminated by a Montana interception at the goal line on a gadget play. Still, PSU out-gained the Griz 115-39 and was ahead 3-0 after one.

Montana returned the turnover favor on its first significant drive of the game. The Griz moved inside the Vikings 20 early in the second quarter. However, on a 2^nd-and-8 play, quarterback Keali’i Ah Yat tossed a pass to the left sideline. Vikings nickelback Tyreese Shakir tipped the ball, then cornerback Michael Hurst scooped it up before going out of bounds at the PSU 5.

The defensive struggle continued through the second quarter. After PSU’s initial field goal there were five punts and three turnovers between the teams. The Vikings held the 3-0 edge at halftime, out-gaining the Griz, 167-120. It could have been more but for the turnovers in Montana territory.

After no touchdowns in the first half, there were five straight touchdowns over the course of the  third quarter.

Montana produced a quick five-play, one-penalty drive to pick up its first lead of the game. Logan Fife, who entered the game in the second quarter at quarterback, got the Griz the lead on a one-yard run.

The Viking running game had an answer though. On PSU’s next series, Delon Thompson carried the ball four straight times for 46 yards. Then Quincy Craig put a cap on the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. PSU was back on top, 10-7.

Fife came right back to complete an 81-yard pass to Sawyer Racanelli and Montana was ahead 14-10, with 10:10 to go in the third quarter.

Chachere had a big pass play in him as well. He hit tight end Tanner Beaman on a 56-yard pass down to the Griz 5. PSU was stuffed on three plays, but went for it on 4^th-and-goal from the three. Thompson rambled in untouched and PSU was on top again, 17-14.

Then, the Griz put on a methodical 11-play, 70-yard drive that concluded in a Fife touchdown pass to Erik Barker. That made it 21-17 going into the fourth quarter.

A fumble on the first play of the fourth by the Vikings was big. Montana took over at the PSU 30-yard line. Fife quickly tossed his third TD pass of the second half and it was 28-17 Montana with just over 14 minutes to go.

Unfortunately, PSU’s final two drives ended in interceptions and Montana held on to win.

The Griz out-gained the Vikings 446-401 in the game. PSU had an excellent ground game with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown from Thompson, and 90 yards and a score from Craig. Craig also had 48 yards receiving and 113 on kick returns for a total of 251 all-purpose yards.

Fife was 9-14 passing in the second half for 197 yards and three TDs. Eli Gillman rushed for 134 yards for Montana.

Linebacker Peyton Wing led the Vikings with 10 tackles, including one for loss.  PSU got quarterback sacks from Michael Montgomery and Slade Shufelt.

GAME NOTES

• Power went out in the stadium midway through the fourth quarter. The last 6:45 of the game was played without a functioning scoreboard or stadium lights.
• Montana State was Portland State’s fourth top-10 opponent opponent, fifth nationally-ranked FCS opponent and seventh nationally-ranked opponent including FBS teams.
• Delon Thompson had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season.
• Mathias Uribe’s 40-yard field goal was his 10^th of the season.
• The Vikings conclude the season next Saturday with a home game against Northern Colorado. The Vikings and Bears kick off at 1 p.m. at Hillsboro Stadium. The game is televised on ESPN+.