PORTLAND, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University fell to NCAA Division 1 Portland State University, 57-17, Thursday night at Jeld-Wen Field.

TJ Esekielu scored both touchdowns for the Mountaineers and compiled 50 rushing yards on nine carries and was 9-for-12 passing for 119 yards. Justin Hernandez recorded six receptions for 76 yards. Eastern Oregon tallied 26 first downs and 438 yards of total offense against the Vikings. However, the Mountaineers committed five turnovers in the game.

On EOU first offensive position the Mountaineers moved the ball against the big and physical Vikings defense. Eastern Oregon took the ball all the way down to the Vikings 26 yard line. However, the drive was halted when Zach Bartlow threw an interception.

The Mountaineers defense brought the offense right back on the field as EOU forced a fumble and recovered it on Portland States first offensive play of the game. EOU again moved the ball down the field but Portland State came up with its second intercept off Bartlow and took it 64 yards for the first touchdown of the game.

Portland State continued to extend its lead and with the score 22-0, EOU moved the ball down the field. After EOU was stopped on its third down, Dillon Sabados lined up for a 28 yard field goal attempt. However, the ball floated wide right. On the very next play the Vikings threw an 80 yard touchdown to extend its lead to 29-0.

With 2:46 left in the second quarter, EOU continued to move the ball and took the ball into the red zone. On a third and seven Bartlow completed a pass to Mahonri Bostrom for six yards giving the Mountaineers a fourth and one. The Mountaineers could not convert the fourth down and went into halftime trailing 36-0.

EOU forced another Vikings fumble that was recovered by Parker Lawson to give the Mountaineers the ball back. EOU marched down the field with a 13 play drive that covered 66 yards, keyed by a TJ Esekielu run. The drive stalled and EOU settled for a 32 yard field goal by Marc David, giving the Mountaineers its first points of the game. After the field goal, EOU trailed 36-3.

Late in the third quarter EOU defense forced the Vikings into its third fumble of the night, which Byron Benson recovered. The first play for EOU, Esekielu completed a 27 yard pass play to Jace Billingsley. After a rush for no gain, Esekielu found Josh Bostrom for a 36 yard play putting the Mountaineers on the one yard line. Esekielu capped the drive off with a one yard touchdown run. After the touchdown EOU trailed 36-10.

After a Viking touchdown made the score 43-10, EOU answered back. Esekielu completed a 27 yard pass to Justin Hernandez to get the drive started. Three plays later Esekielu rushed in for his second touchdown putting the Mountaineers down 43-17.

Portland State would score two unanswered touchdowns later in the fourth quarter and EOU fell 57-17 to Portland State.

Eastern Oregon returns to the field on Sept. 7 when they take on Montana Tech to open up Frontier Conference action. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.