Final Stats

PORTLAND, Ore. - Keelan Doss and Derek Baljeu scored touchdowns in the third quarter to help UC Davis rally from a 17-0 halftime deficit but host Portland State was able to thwart UC Davis' comeback as the Vikings posted a 23-14 Big Sky Conference football win at Providence Park on Saturday evening.

The Aggies dropped their third consecutive game, falling to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the Big Sky. Portland State, which picked up two first-half touchdowns from quarterback Kieran McDonough and three field goals in the game from Jonathan Gonzalez, improved to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the Big Sky.

The Vikings led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, stretched it 17-0 at halftime and then added two field goals in the fourth quarter after the Aggies rallied to within just three points.

"The offense came out in the second half and put a couple of drives together (but we) had too many mistakes," said head coach Ron Gould. "(Portland State) lined up exactly where we wanted them to line up and they out-executed us. I was just very disappointed."

Trailing 17-0 in the third quarter, UC Davis showed renewed life in the third quarter, scoring on two of its three drives. The first was keyed by cornerback Patrick Wells' first career interception, which he returned 16 yards to the Portland State 36. From there, Lacy and Doss went to work with Lacy hitting Doss as he crossed the middle. He then turned straight up field for a 36-yard touchdown.

A punt to the Vikings seven-yard line later in the quarter led to a quick three-and-out which the Aggies converted into their second touchdown. Starting from their own 38, Lacy completed a trio of short passes before finding junior Ramon Vargas on a 43-yard pass to the five-yard line. He then hit fullback Derek Baljeu on a short pass which Baljeu reached over the goal line with while being tackled.

A 30-yard field goal by Gonzales pushed the lead to 20-14 early in the fourth quarter.

With the defense playing well, the Aggies elected to punt near midfield with just under seven minutes to play. However, the Vikings put together a time-consuming 14-play drive that was capped by Gonzales' third field goal. This one came from 19 yards with just 26 seconds left.

Portland State controlled the first half, holding the ball for 18 minutes, 24 seconds and holding a decisive 263-70 advantage in total offense. The Vikings had more first downs (15-3) and ran more than twice as many plays (53-24) before halftime.

An early turnover led to the Vikings' first points when Lacy was sacked by Dame Ndiaye, forcing a fumble at the Aggies' 38-yard line. The defense stepped up and held Portland State to just three yards but Gonzalez nailed a career-best 53-yard field goal with just under three minutes gone into the game.

UC Davis was forced to punt on its next five drives, four of them three-and-outs.

Portland State carried the 3-0 lead into the second quarter and methodically moved from its own 12 with a 12-play drive that was capped by McDonough's first TD, a six-yard keeper up the middle. The Vikings extended the advantage to 17-0 with another long drive, this time covering 74 yards on 14 plays. McDonagh called his own number again, using a strong ball fake and boot-legging to the right side for a 3-yard score.

The Aggies netted just 44 yards on the ground overall, 32 of them by Gabe Manzanares while Lacy finished 20 of 30 for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Ten different receivers caught passes, led by Doss and Vargas who each had four. Doss led the team with 63 yards.

UC Davis was outgained 448-240.

Pitts had eight solo stops among his 11 tackles, including a seven-yard sack. Reeder posted seven solo tackles while safety Zach Jones and defensive end each finished with nine total tackles. Jones had his first career interception as well.

Nate Tago led Portland State with 106 rushing yards while Shaquille Richard had 93 yards, including a 35-yarder. McDonagh threw for 194 yards with six passes going to Alex Toureen who finished with 74 yards. Three players had six tackles each.

UC Davis will return home to host Montana State next Saturday at 4 p.m.