2023 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL 4 | 2023 Vikings Football VIKINGS GAME DAY Junior quarterback Dante Chachere was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his six-touchdown performance at Northern Arizona. Troy Wayrynen The Big Sky Conference schedule-maker might not have figured a late October matchup between Portland State and Idaho State would mean a lot in the standings, but here we are... The Vikings host the Bengals today as both teams come off big wins and sit in a tie for fourth place in the Big Sky standings at 2-1. The winner of the Vikings/Bengals game will be no worse than tied for second place with Montana and Idaho (both 3-1 with byes) while 3-0 Montana State plays at 2-1 Sacramento State. A minimum of three teams will be 3-1, but it is conceivable there could be a five-way tie for first place in the Big Sky Conference by the end of the day. And of course, both Portland State and Idaho State want to be a part of that. So, the quest continues to rise to the top of most competitive FCS conference in all the land. It seemed a bit unlikely that the value of the game would be so large for the winner, or that either team might be holding hopes of contending for a Big Sky title or even a post-season possibility. PSU was 3-5 in league last year, while ISU was 1-7. But both schools have played well when it matters - against conference opponents. Portland State brings a dominant running game into the contest after winning at Northern Arizona, 45-21, last Saturday. The Vikings average more than 246 yards on the ground per game, and that number goes up to 318 yards in league games. Moreover, PSU is 2-0 at home this year, and its last appearance on the Hillsboro Stadium turf was a 59-21 blowout of Cal Poly. Idaho State has moved the ball through the air to the tune of a league-best 350 passing yards per game. Stopping that aerial assault will provide a great challenge for PSU. However, the Bengals also rank last in the Big Sky in rushing defense and points allowed, which would seem to have the Viking running game licking its chops. Idaho State comes off a remarkable 4241 home win last Saturday over 21st-ranked Eastern Washington. The Bengals trailed 41-14 in the third quarter but ran off four straight touchdowns, including one in the final minute for the upset win. Portland State and Idaho State did not play last season. The Vikings won the most recent matchup, a 31-10 decision in 2021, also at Hillsboro Stadium. The Vikings come into the game having won three of their last four and play three of the next four at home, so one might say things are trending their way. VIKINGS HOST BENGALS IN A CHANCE TO GET TO THE TOP
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