A 61-yard touchdown pass from SR QB Tygue Howland to SO WR Justin Monahan highlighted the first full scrimmage for the Viking football team. But, there were enough other highlights on both sides of the ball to keep coaches happy, the spectators optimistic and the team feeling positive at the conclusion of the first week of practice.

Portland State ran 68 offensive plays at Stott Community Field as temperatures ran into the 90s - and higher on the artificial surface. In 13 offensive series - all beginning on the offense's 30-yard line - the defense made nine stops, while the offense had two touchdowns and two field goals.

JR QB Connor Kavanaugh started and took the most snaps of any quarterback, but all seven signal-callers played. Kavanaugh completed 7-9 passes for 71 yards. One of the three drives he led resulted in a 35-yard field goal by JR K Robert Truax.

Howland's first series on the field was two plays and two completions. The second was for 61 yards and a score to Monahan. Howland finished the day 3-4 for 84 yards but was only on the field for seven plays. It was an encouraging performance for Howland who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

SR QB Drew Hubel completed 4-7 passes for 50 yards. He had one pass intercepted when a receiver tipped the ball into the air and JR CB DeShawn Shead came down with it.

Shead had four tackles to go with his pick. His running mate, JR CB David Ross had three tackles and a pass breakup. JR LB Ryan Rau led the defense with five tackles and a sack. JR DE Carl Sommer was in on two sacks.

JR RB Cory McCaffrey carried the ball nine times for 43 yards. He also caught two passes for 29 yards as he continues to impress after making the move from wide receiver to running back. The other back to see significant action was Shaughn Sanford, who carried 10 times for 37 yards. Sanford had a one-yard touchdown run on a series led by FR QB Chad Dashnaw. Dashnaw completed 3-6 for 34 yards.

SO QB Nick Green led one series that resulted in a 48-yard field goal by second-team preseason All-American Zach Brown. Green completed just one pass, but it was an acrobatic 30-yard catch by SO WR Salas Louidor.

FR WR AJ Powell led all receivers by catching four passes for 48 yards. Monahan had three receptions for 73 yards on the day.

In all, the offense gained 378 yards.

In addition to one forced turnover, the defense made three sacks and four pass breakups.

For Head Coach Nigel Burton, it was less about production and more about efficiency.

"I saw a lot of good stuff," said Burton. "We limited mistakes. We still had one bad snap, one offside... no holding penalties. We told the refs to call it tight so that was a pretty good deal.

"I was happy with the fact that we made some big plays at the receiving spot and in the secondary. We were able to protect the quarterback. Without watching any film yet, I'm pretty pleased."

The Vikings will take Sunday off, then get back at it with a double day on Monday when temperatures are predicted to approach 100 degrees. Burton plans to turn the heat up on his team as well.

"Now that we have a grasp of some things, we just need to play faster. I would like to see some more big plays from the offense. Some big plays from the defense causing some turnovers. Our offense did a good job of protecting the ball today, but we have to take advantage of some opportunities. If we do that, I will be a little happier.

"I was pleased with what I saw from a first scrimmage. Now we have to pick the game up for next Saturday's scrimmage."

VIKING NOTES: PSU will scrimmage again on Aug. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m... approximately 200 spectators were on hand for the first scrimmage of preseason practice.