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PORTLAND, ORE. -- The sun was shining down on the Weber State Wildcats (2-2) as they escaped Portland State with a 36-29 victory Saturday afternoon at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon. Giving up 14 points in less than 15 seconds, the Wildcats let the Vikings back in the game and eventually blew an 18-point lead before rallying in the last minute and fifteen seconds with a touchdown pass from Cameron Higgins to Tim Toone.
In a defensive battle in the first half, Portland State (1-3) scratched out a field goal early in the first quarter by Viking kicker Zach Brown from 20 yards out. The scoring picked up a bit in the second quarter as Higgins marched the ‘Cats down the field connecting on a 47-yard pass with Toone. That long pass set up a four-yard touchdown run for Trevyn Smith over the left tackle to put the ‘Cats up 7-3.
The Vikings answered back with a five-play, 69-yard scoring drive of their own as quarterback Drew Hubel connected with wide receiver Aaron Woods for a five-yard touchdown pass to put the Vikings back on top, 10-7. Higgins led his Wildcats back into the lead capping a 12-play, 64-yard with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kamana Kaimikaua. The ‘Cats when into the half leading 14-10.
The excitement picked up in the third quarter.
With a little over six minutes gone by in the third quarter, Higgins connected with Toone once again for a four-yard touchdown pass giving the Wildcats the lead at 21-10. It was at the five-minute mark of the third quarter when things got interesting. Higgins connected with Bo Bolen for a 15-yard touchdown pass to give the ‘Cats their biggest lead of the afternoon at 28-10.
What happened next took less than 15 seconds.
Wildcat kicker Mike Snoy sent the ball sailing after the Wildcats' latest touchdown and it was the Vikings' Wood again victimizing rhe 'Cats with a 97-yard touchdown propelling the Vikings back in the game at 28-17. Weber State got the ball back with under two minutes in the third quarter and Higgins promptly had his pass intercepted by Viking cornerback Deshawn Shead, who ran it in for a touchdown, getting the Vikings within five at 28-23. The Vikings failed on a two-point conversion.
The action didn't pick up again until late in the fourth quarter.
After a bad snap led to a missed 42-yard field goal by the Wilcats' Jon Williams that could have iced the game for Weber State, the Vikings marched down the field to take a short-lived lead.
The Vikings went 75 yards on 11 plays to take the lead at 29-28 with just over a minute left in the game. Hubel connected with his favorite target, Woods, for a second time on a 15-yard score, but again failed on a two-point conversion giving the 'Cats life.
With only one minute and fifteen seconds left, Higgins and the Wildcat offense went to work. On an eventual fourth down and three yards to go Higgins connected with his favorite target, Toone, for a second and game winning 38-yard touchdown giving the ‘Cats the lead with 17 seconds to go and eventually the 36-29 victory. Higgins finished the game completing 31 of 47 passes for 410 yards and four touchdowns.
The Wildcats will be back in Ogden, October 3, to take on the Montana State Bobcats. Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m. inside the Stewart Stadium.
