Nobody expected the Hornets to win every game, but this is one that they could have had.

Portland State’s Charles Dunn scored four touchdowns in the game’s final 16 minutes, and rushed for 162 yards in the fourth quarter alone, as he led the Vikings to a 35-23 comeback victory over Sac State on Saturday at Fred Anderson Field before a crowd of 11,853.

Dunn led a late Portland State (3-0) surge that included three consecutive touchdown drives of at least 80 yards, none of which lasted even two minutes.

Sac State (2-1) controlled the game, its first in the Big Sky Conference, for almost three quarters, leading 23-7 with just over one minute left in the third quarter.

This would not have been possible without the effort of senior quarterback Ricky Ray, who was not expected to play due to a strained abdomen. But, this changed when his replacement, sophomore Garrett White, left the game for good in the second quarter, with a sprained ankle.

“The game plan was for Garrett to go all the way. I was hoping Ricky didn’t have to play, but he put himself in,” head coach John Volek said. “It was one of the most courageous efforts I’ve ever scene. The guy took no snaps in practice; his first snap was today.” Ray’s performance did not go unnoticed by Portland State coach Tim Walsh.

“Look at Ricky Ray playing hurt,” Walsh said. “He shredded us for about two and a half quarters.”

The second half started like the first, with the Hornets in control. Behind the running of Roberts, they ate up the third quarter’s first eight minutes , and went up 23-7 with a 33-yard field goal by Jimmy Sanchez.

At this point, the game started to turn for Sac State. Portland State took the ball 82 yards, and made the score 23-13, on a two-yard touchdown run by Dunn.

Dunn was not done. He would also end each of the next three Portland State possessions with touchdown runs, from distances of 64, 7, and 54 yards.

Their last three touchdown drives took less than five minutes combined.

“It was a sense of urgency, but not panic,” Dunn said. “We had to get it done quick.” Volek was impressed by the Vikings’ offense, which also featured 90 fourth quarter receiving yards by Charles.

“Portland State came out and put points on the board. I think they have the most athletic offense in the league,” Volek said. “Chip’s (Dunn) a good running back and he broke some tackles.”

Despite the offensive explosion by Portland State, the Hornets still had a couple of late chances to pull out a victory. One chance ended when Roberts fumbled, his fourth of the year, with just less than five minutes remaining. The turnover, which ended a promising drive at the Vikings six-yard line, allowed Portland State to keep the ball and their 27-23 lead.

The Hornets will travel to Idaho State on Saturday, where they will try to get their first conference win of the season.