Box Score

BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland State turned an interception into a touchdown in the first minute of the game, and it was all downhill from there for Southern Oregon as the Raiders were shut out 52-0 by the NCAA Division I FCS Vikings Saturday afternoon at JELD-WEN Field.

The loss drops Southern Oregon's record to 0-2 this season, with Portland State improving to 1-0 after earning the win in its season-opener.

“Portland State outplayed us and outcoached us,” SOU head coach Craig Howard said. “We went from having a pretty good game last week to probably the worst we could. Our kids didn't quit and it's still early in the season.”

Portland State took control early, scoring its first touchdown only 41 seconds into the game and taking a 31-0 lead in the first quarter. The Raider offense was unable to get anything going against the Vikings, finishing the contest with a total of 107 yards on offense, including only 45 yards in the air.

The Vikings totaled 597 yards on offense, including 335 on the ground in the victory. Southern Oregon's best drive came in the second quarter, when the Raiders moved 42 yards on 12 plays before turning the ball over on downs at the Portland State 38-yard line.

Southern Oregon would get as close as the opposing five-yard line in the second half off an interception, but a fumble gave the ball back to Portland State. Another drive into the red zone ended at the PSU 19 on an interception near the end of the third quarter.

“We won't play another Division I school this year, and I hope our players understand that we were in a tough situation and learn from it,” Howard said. “I'm not discouraged at their effort, attitude or the loss. We have a bye week coming up at the perfect time for us.”

Southern Oregon does not play next week, returning to action Sept. 17 at NCAA Div. III Willamette University. Howard plans to use the extra week to continue to build and find greater depth with the team.

“We need to figure out some ways we can play better on both sides of the ball and see if we can get more depth and more guys contributing on both sides of the ball,” Howard said. “We've got a plan and we'll stick with our plan and set our pace. It's a setback on the scoreboard but not to our plans.”