BYU Football is here, and the first game is against an FCS foe in Portland State. Portland State is coming off a tough 42-0 loss at home. The Vikings missed a 54-yard and a 47-yard field goal and were shut out at home for the first time since 2003. Portland State was out of it all game and was punished after throwing three interceptions.
Portland State plays in the Big Sky Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision. They play most of their home games at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, and some home games at Providence Park in Portland. Their mascot is the Vikings. They are 4-48 all-time against FBS opponents and 0-1 against BYU. Their last meeting was in 2017, and it finished 20-6, BYU. Portland State's 2025 record is 0-1.
Portland State lost badly to Tarleton State and was punished for three interceptions and a lost fumble. The Vikings struggled to keep the ball, and the offense kept shooting themselves in the foot with penalties. Portland State got themselves in good spots, but just couldn't find that final gear.
Portland State's defense isn't much better. They were walked all over by Tarleton State, and gave up 42 points, and 28 of those were in the second half. While the Vikings did recover a
Tarleton State fumble; they didn't get any points out of it. Add a poor special teams performance, and it was not the Vikings' night. BYU will bring it all, and it will be even harder for PSU.
Of course, we have to give PSU some grace because Tarleton State is the #8 team in the FCS. Still, PSU has a lot to work on, and BYU will be bringing the heat. This should be pretty straightforward for the Cougars, but anything can happen in football. BYU needs to stay at its own level and not play down to the Vikings