On the eighth play of a 62-yard drive, Sacramento State redshirt freshman quarterback Jason Smith hit senior wide receiver Ryan Coogler for an 18-yard touchdown, putting the Hornets ahead of Portland State 7-0.

The touchdown also marked the Hornets first offensive score this season.

Smith started the game with 13 straight completions and helped the Hornets to a 21-14 lead at halftime.

Jody Johnson ran back an 85-yard kickoff return late in the first half to give Sac State momentum going into the break.

The Hornets increased their lead to 24-14, and seemed to be in control with six minutes left in the third quarter.

Sac State didn’t score another point from then on and the Portland State Vikings rolled off 21-unanswered points to come out on top in a competitive 35-24 victory.

The Hornets sacked Viking quarterback Brian White ten times, but he still went 26-37, and threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Sac State linebacker Cyrus Mulitalo recorded three sacks.

Smith went 21-28 and threw for 241 yards. He and his favorite target of the night, Coogler, hooked up seven times for 121 yards and a touchdown. Travon Jones was a beast on the ground rushing 22 times for 117 yards.

The Hornets improved offensively from their first game against Fresno State, putting up 394 yards of total offense.

However, the aerial attack of the Vikings proved to be too much as receiver Tremayne Kirkland caught 9 balls for 109 yards and a touchdown. Portland State scored last when Jordan Senn returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown.

The loss moves the Hornets to 0-2 on the season and 0-1 in the Big Sky Conference. Portland State moves to 1-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference.

The Hornets go on the road for the third consecutive game against New Mexico on September 22.

Contact Hornets Sports Desk at 278-5145