Vikings score a big win over Lumberjacks

Portland State players celebrate after Matt Myers of Northern Arizona missed a potential game-winning field goal Saturday.

Photo by Cliff Pfenning, oregonsports.com

Portland State won its Big Sky Conference opener in as dramatic fashion as it wanted when Northern Arizona missed a field goal with seven seconds left.

The Vikings, after a week off, got four touchdowns from senior back Cory McCaffrey and led 31-17 when the Lumberjacks stiffened on defense and scored on a pair of field goals and a touchdown with 3:03 left that gave them a chance to tie. They failed to complete a 2-point conversion pass.

PSU got a first down and ran the Lumberjacks out of timeouts, but punted with 1:01 left and NAU drove to attempt a 42-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining. Kicker Matt Myers, who had hit three earlier field goals, including one from 48 yards that hit the crossbar and went through, hooked the kick left and the Vikings celebrated a second win to open the season.

Portland State (2-0, 1-0 Big Sky) plays at Texas Christian next week.

NAU dropped to 1-1, 0-1.

McCaffrey ran for four touchdowns and 220 yards on 30 carries, but limped off the field midway through the fourth quarter and did not return. Quarterback Connor Kavanaugh ran for 134 yards on 16 carries.

The Vikings outgained the Lumberjacks in total yards 427-402.