Chachere runs, passes Portland State past Northern Arizona

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Dante Chachere had 402 yards from scrimmage and accounted for all five Portland State touchdowns in the Vikings’ 35-28 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday.

Chachere was 22-of-28 passing for 274 yards and he had 128 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Chachere threw three touchdown passes, including a 66-yarder to Mataio Talalemotu, and his two touchdowns runs included a 72-yard scamper. The TD to Talalemotu early in the fourth quarter gave the Vikings a 35-13 lead that would prove to be just one touchdown too many for the Lumberjacks to overcome.

The Lumberjacks rallied on a 1-yard run by RJ Martinez and a 10-yard pass from Martinez to Stacy Chukwumezie. Like Chachere, Martinez accounted for all of his team’s touchdowns, including a 53-yard pass to Chukwumezie early in the fourth quarter.

Chukwumezie’s second touchdown catch, with 4:12 remaining, would be the last the NAU offense would see of the ball. After Portland State recovered an onside kick, the Vikings ran off a total of 11 plays and reached the NAU 1-yard line before Chachere twice took a knee to end the game.

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