The Sacramento State Hornets are lucky to be trailing the Portland State Vikings by a score 16-14 at halftime in Portland, Oregon.

The Hornets’ offense has been unable to sustain a drive and the defense hasn’t faired much better against the Portland State pass game.

But two big turnovers have the Hornets down only two points.

Cornerback Kyle Monson intercepted Vikings senior quarterback Connor Kavanaugh’s pass and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown with 10:14 left in the second quarter.

Then with less than a minute left in the half, Hornets defensive back Evander Wilkins recovered a wayward snap at the Portland State one-yard line. Quarterback Jeff Fleming ran the ball in for a touchdown on the next play.

Fleming, who has missed the past two games with a calf injury has rushed for 28 yards and passed for 33 more. He is four for nine with no touchdowns and interceptions.

For the Vikings, Kavanaugh is eight-for-18 for 144 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Junior wide receiver Justin Monahan has caught five of those passes for 97 yards.

Dante Geoffrey can be reached at [email protected]. You can follow him on Twitter: @dantegeoffrey.