College football in the Pacific Northwest is not to be forgotten or overlooked. That includes FSC programs like the Portland State Vikings. Fans can often find a way to score cheap Portland State football tickets because the Vikings are the third most important college football team in the state of Portland. However, the profile of the program has been on the ascent for a long time. The Vikings have worked their way up the college football hierarchy, putting themselves in a respected conference at the FCS level, where they have found both success and fierce rivals. That has led to an increased demand for last-minute Portland State football tickets and continued on-field improvement.

Into the Sky

The Vikings have had a long journey in the college football world that began with their inaugural season in 1947. They found success at the Division II level during the 1980s and 90s, winning six Western Football Conference championships in just nine years. During that time, Portland State reached the Division II semifinals four times, twice advancing to the National Championship Game, only to fall short both times. Of course, that success eventually allowed the Vikings to move up to the FCS level in 1996 when they became members of the Big Sky Conference. The Big Sky has become a great home for Portland State, enabling the Vikings to earn at-large berths in the FCS Playoffs on multiple occasions.

The Dam Cup

While the move to the FCS level has made every game important, the biggest game for Portland State every year will always be The Dam Cup against Eastern Washington. The rivalry existed long before both teams were members of the Big Sky Conference, and its name is a reference to both schools sitting on the banks of the Columbia River. It’s one of the most competitive rivalries in college football, with the all-time record being a dead heat, which is why the yearly game between Portland State and Eastern Washington is one of the biggest sporting events in the Pacific Northwest year after year.