Cru Newman Scores Touchdown to Cap Portland St. Scoring Drive

Portland State’s offense orchestrated a methodical drive that culminated in a late-quarter touchdown against Southern Utah.

The sequence, beginning at the Portland State 25-yard line with 9:25 remaining, showcased a balanced attack that relied on both ground gains and key completions to move the chains.

The drive was defined by persistence. Portland State utilized a mix of shotgun formations and no-huddle pacing to keep the Southern Utah defense on its heels. Cru Newman and Delon Thompson provided the primary rushing effort, with Newman eventually punching the ball in from six yards out to secure the score with 46 seconds left on the clock.

The progression of the drive relied heavily on third-down efficiency. Early in the series, a four-yard rush by Newman on third-and-one moved the sticks, setting a tone for the possession. John-Keawe Sagapolutele was central to this momentum, connecting on critical passes to maintain the rhythm.

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Sagapolutele found Zui Shelton for a 19-yard gain on third-and-four, pushing the ball into Southern Utah territory.
A subsequent 11-yard completion to Tanner Beaman on third-and-seven extended the series inside the 25-yard line.
The drive nearly stalled following a six-yard loss on a rush by Thompson, but a penalty for leverage against Southern Utah’s Khaleb Hampton-Purifoy on a 29-yard field goal attempt provided a fresh set of downs at the six-yard line.

The penalty turned the drive around. While Joshua Hossmann Lees had already lined up for a field goal attempt, the defensive infraction nullified the kick and awarded Portland State the ball at the six-yard line, setting the stage for Newman’s touchdown run.

The efficiency of this possession highlights how Portland State attacked the Southern Utah defensive front. By stringing together multiple first downs, the offense successfully neutralized the pressure applied by defenders like Jayden Wells, who recorded multiple stops during the sequence.

The ability to convert in high-leverage situations—specifically the third-down conversions to Shelton and Beaman—allowed the team to control the tempo. Following the successful extra-point kick by Hossmann Lees, the drive concluded with a touchback on the ensuing kickoff.

The game remains a test of endurance as both teams manage field position and defensive adjustments. With the touchdown, Portland State capitalized on the sustained pressure they built throughout the quarter.