Complete season notes and stats in pdf

The Portland State Vikings wrapped up their best season in five years with a 7-4 record in 2011. PSU went 5-3 in the Big Sky Conference and came within one game of serious consideration for the NCAA Playoffs. The Vikings entered the national rankings at 25th on Nov. 14, their first appearance in more than four years.
    
PSU improved from 2-9 in 2010 to 7-4 in 2011. The five-game improvement made it one of the most improved teams in the nation. The Vikings were a consensus number seven pick in preseason Big Sky Conference polling, but ended up in third place.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
• Portland State had its first winning season and best record since 2006 (7-4). The Vikings, picked seventh in preseason polling, finished third in the Big Sky Conference (5-3)... PSU made its first appearance in the national polls since the first week of the 2007 season (25th on Nov. 14)... second-year Head Coach Nigel Burton was named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award for engineering the Vikings' turnaround.
• PSU led the Big Sky Conference and finished eighth in the nation in rushing with 247.8 yards per game. The Vikings set a new school record for total rushing yards (2,726). This, despite losing the nation's leading rusher (Cory McCaffrey) and scorer after week six. SR QB Connor Kavanaugh finished third in the league in rushing (1,060 yards). McCaffrey would have finished fourth (731) despite playing just five games... PSU also set a record for rushing in a single game (436 vs. Idaho State, Oct. 1).
• SR QB Connor Kavanaugh finished the season with 1,060 yards, setting new PSU and Big Sky records for quarterback rushing for a single season and a career (1,965).
• The Viking defense improved dramatically by cutting more than 110 yards and 12 points per game by opponents.
• JR K Zach Brown ended up as the nation's top field goal kicker, making 24 of 27 kicks (2.18 per game), and breaking his on Portland State record. Brown has 60 field goals in three seasons and currently holds seven school records. He finished the year by making eight straight field goals.
• Portland State's overall special teams were among the best in the nation, blocking nine kicks (sevn punts, two field goals). PSU also ranked among the best in kick returns, recovered four of their own kickoffs during the season, and of course, had the nation's top kicker. SR SS DeShawn Shead also led the Big Sky Conference with a 26.1 kick return average.
• The Vikings won eight Big Sky Conference Player of the Week Awards. Only one time has PSU won more Big Sky Player of the Week honors in a single season (9, 2000). JR K Zach Brown won two Special Teams Player of the Week Awards and now has six in his career. SR QB Connor Kavanaugh won an Offensive Award and was also named National Offensive Player of the Week after the win at Idaho State. Kavanaugh rushed 12 times for 212 yards and four touchdowns. He also completed six of 11 passes for 102 yards. Also winning POTW Awards were SR RB Cory McCaffrey, JR LB Joel Sisler, SR SS DeShawn Shead, JR WR Nevin Lewis and SR DT Myles Wade.
• Portland State had four players earn first team All-Big Sky Conference (SR RB Cory McCaffrey, JR K Zach Brown, JR ST Nevin Lewis, SR SS DeShawn Shead), three players earn second team All-Big Sky Conference (SR OL Dustin Waldron, SR DT Myles Wade, JR LB Ian Sluss), and nine others be named honorable mention All-Big Sky (SR QB Connor Kavanaugh, SO C Mitch Gaulke, JR OL Kyle Ritt, JR WR Justin Monahan, SR LB Ryan Rau, SR KR DeShawn Shead, SR DE Jack Forbes, JR LB Joel Sisler, JR P Thomas Duyndam).
• SO C Mitch Gaulke was named Academic All-District 8 for Division I football for his performance on the field and high academic standing. Academic All-America, as well as Academic All-Big Sky Conference, will be released later this year.

BROWN, SHEAD, McCAFFREY, LEWIS LEAD ALL-BIG SKY CHOICES
Portland State kicker Zach Brown, strong safety DeShawn Shead, running back Cory McCaffrey and special teams star Nevin Lewis were selected as first team All-Big Sky Conference players in post-season balloting done by league coaches. PSU also had three players make second team All-Conference and nine earn honorable mention All-Big Sky.
    
Brown, a junior from Keizer's McNary (OR) High School, had to be an easy choice as he led the nation in field goals made. Brown hit 24-27 on the season, an average of 2.18 made per game. Brown broke his own school record of 18 made. The 6-1, 200-pound kicker did not miss a field goal inside of 46 yards, made two from more than 50 yards and ended the season with eight consecutive field goals made. Brown was a two-time Big Sky Conference Player of the Week.
    
Shead, a senior from Palmdale, CA, was an anchor on defense and ranked second on the team with a career-high 64 tackles. He had five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions (one for touchdown), eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery during the season. Shead, a 6-2, 220-pounder, also was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 14. He was a second team selection in 2010. Shead, who led the conference with a 26.1 kick return average, was also named an honorable mention kick returner.
    
Despite playing in only five games, McCaffrey certainly had the respect of Big Sky Conference coaches. The 5-9, 185-pound senior from Sisters (OR) HS, was the nation's leader in rushing and scoring when he went down with an achilles injury on Oct. 15. Still, McCaffrey finished with 731 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the season. In fact, he had the fourth most rushing yards in the Big Sky for the season in those five games. McCaffrey was also a first-team All-Big Sky running back in 2010.
    
Lewis, also a star from central Oregon, was named first team All-Conference at the special teams position. A 6-2, 195-pound junior from Culver (OR) HS, Lewis was an all-around star, blocking three punts, averaging 24 yards per kick return, making a tackle for loss on a fake punt and three special teams tackles for the season. At wide receiver, he also had 22 catches for 337 yards and two touchdowns. Lewis was named Big Sky Player of the Week for Special Teams on Sept. 5.
    
Named to the Big Sky's second team were offensive tackle Dustin Waldron, defensive tackle Myles Wade, and outside linebacker Ian Sluss.
    
Waldron, a 6-6, 280-pound senior from Marist (OR) High School, has been a mainstay on the Vikings' line for four years. He blocked for the nation's leading pass offense (2008) and two-time Big Sky leading rushing offense (2010 and 2011). Despite going down with injury during the season's eighth game, he is considered an NFL prospect.
    
Wade, a 6-1, 300-pound graduate student who attended Central Catholic (OR) HS, was a primary factor in the Vikings' improved defense in 2011. PSU allowed 110 yards less and 12 points less per game to opponents. Wade had 30 tackles, four for losses, two sacks, a pass breakup and two blocked kicks on the season. Wade also earned a Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week honor after blocking a potential winning field goal by Northern Arizona on Sept. 17.
    
Sluss, a 6-foot, 225-pound junior from Vista, CA, was also a big addition in 2011. He was third on the team with 55 tackles, a team-leading 13.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
    
The Vikings honorable mention All-Big Sky choices were: SR QB Connor Kavanaugh (1,060 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 1,628 passing yards, 9 TDs), JR WR Justin Monahan (52 catches, 707 yards, 6 TDs), JR OL Kyle Ritt, SO C Mitch Gaulke, SR DE Jack Forbes (38 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, three sacks, two pass breakups, fumble recovery), JR LB Joel Sisler (35 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, four pass breakups), SR LB Ryan Rau (90 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, four sacks, two pass breakups, fumble recovery, forced fumble), and JR P Thomas Duyndam (39.0 average).

BURTON NAMED FINALIST FOR NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR
Portland State Head Football Coach Nigel Burton is one of 20 coaches nationwide that was named as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award on Nov. 21, the highest coaching honor in NCAA I FCS football.
    
Burton was named after getting the Vikings within one game of serious playoff consideration this season. PSU was 7-4 overall, a five-game improvement over 2010.
    
Burton is one of two Big Sky Conference Coaches on the ballot for the FCS Coach of the Year award. Also listed is Montana's Robin Pflugrad.
    
This marks the second time that a Viking coach has been a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. Tim Walsh was a finalist in 1999 after leading the Vikings to an 8-3 record - their first winning mark after moving to the Division I level. Walsh finished fifth in the balloting that year.
    
The winner of the Robinson Award, presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com, will be announced at the national awards banquet on Friday, Jan. 6 in Frisco, TX - the night before the national championship game.
     
A panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will select the Robinson Award winner. Voting will reflect only the regular season.  
    
The 20 Eddie Robinson Award finalists are: Pete Adrian, Norfolk State; Rob Ambrose, Towson; Craig Bohl, North Dakota State; Watson Brown, Tennessee Tech; Nigel Burton, Portland State; Ron Caragher, San Diego; Andy Coen, Lehigh; Clint Conque, Central Arkansas; Chris Creighton, Drake; Bob Ford, Albany; Willie Fritz, Sam Houston State; Gary Harrell, Howard; Anthony Jones, Alabama A&M; Kevin Kelly, Georgetown; Jeff Monken, Georgia Southern; Tim Murphy, Harvard; Chris Mussman, North Dakota; Robin Pflugrad, Montana; Chuck Priore, Stony Brook; Bobby Wilder, Old Dominion.

KAVANAUGH NAMED TEAM MVP AT POST-SEASON BANQUET
Viking quarterback Connor Kavanaugh was named the 2011 team Most Valuable Player at the Vikings' post-season banquet. Kavanaugh, a senior from Lincoln (OR) High School, rushed for 1,060 yards and seven touchdowns, while completing 127 of 219 passes for 1,628 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
    
Senior Dustin Waldron was named the Vikings' Most Valuable Offensive Lineman. Waldron, from Marist (OR) High School, missed the last few games of the season with injury but is an NFL prospect.
    
Cory McCaffrey was selected as the team's top offensive back despite having his season shortened by injury. McCaffrey, from Sisters (OR) HS, played in just five games, but totaled 731 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in that time. He was the nation's leader in scoring and rushing when he went down with a left achilles injury.
    
Defensive end Jack Forbes was named as the Vikings' best defensive lineman. Forbes, from Pacifica, CA, had 38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery while starting every game.
    
DeShawn Shead was named the team's Outstanding Defensive Back as a strong safety. Shead, from Palmdale, CA, was a mainstay for the Vikings for four seasons, starting all 44 games of his career. This season, he had 64 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, a fumble recovery and three forced fumbles. Shead also averaged more than 26 yards per kickoff return.
    
Nevin Lewis was selected as the Vikings' Special Teams Player of the Year for his all-around performance on all teams. Lewis, a junior from Culver (OR) HS, blocked three punts, made a tackle for loss on another fake punt, had three special teams tackles and averaged 23.7 yards per kickoff return. As a wide receiver, Lewis had 22 catches for 337 yards and two touchdowns.
    
Junior Aaron Kincy was selected as the team's Most inspirational Player. Kincy, a cornerback, is from St. Petersburg, FL.
    
The Most Improved Player on the team this season was Donte Almond. A senior safety from Milpitas, CA, Almond took over as a starter for the majority of the season, making 39 tackles and an interception.
    
The Scout Team Player of the Year was redshirt Zach Zelecki. A freshman defensive end, Zelecki is from Central Point's Crater (OR) HS.
    
Mitch Gaulke was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season. A sophomore from West Linn (OR) HS, Gaulke started every game at center. He majors in Business Administration: Accounting at PSU and earned Academic All-District honors. He is on the national ballot for Division I Academic All-American.
    
John Stewart was given the Charles Withers Award, given annually to someone outside the program, for overall contributions to the success of Viking football.
 
2011 PORTLAND STATE TEAM AWARDS
Most Valauble Player: SR QB Connor Kavanaugh
Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: SR LT Dustin Waldron
Most Valuable Offensive Back: SR RB Cory McCaffrey
Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: SR DE Jack Forbes
Most Valuable Defensive Back: SR SS DeShawn Shead
Special Teams Player of the Year: JR WR Nevin Lewis
Most Inspirational Player: JR CB Aaron Kincy
Most Improved Player: SR FR Donte Almond
Scout Team Player of the Year: FR DE Zach Zelecki
Mike Schrunk Scholar Athlete of Year: SO C Mitch Gaulke
Charles Withers Award (for contributions to the program): John Stewart

BROWN LEADS NATION IN FIELD GOALS MADE
JR K Zach Brown became the first Viking to lead the nation in a statistical category in 13 years by making 24 of 27 field goals in 2011. Brown's average of 2.18 field goals per game is the nation's best and a Portland State record. The last Viking to be a statistical leader was former quarterback Jimmy Blanchard with a 167.6 quarterback rating (1998).
    
Brown made his last eight field goals on the season and broke his own school record of 18 (set in both 2009 and 2010). Brown was a two-time Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week and has won six honors in his career.
    
A junior from McNary (OR) High School, Brown made 24-27 kicks, with his only misses from 46 yards or longer. Brown also finished tied for sixth in the nation in scoring with an average of 9.18 points per game.
    
With 60 career field goals, Brown also holds that Portland State record. He has made six career field goals from 50 yards or longer, also a school record; and his .769 conversion percentage (60-78) is a school record.
    
With 101 points on the season, Brown ranks ninth in PSU history. His 255 career points now ranks fifth all-time at PSU.

ZACH BROWN's PORTLAND STATE KICKING RECORDS
Field Goals, Season: 24
Field Goals, Career: 60
Field Goals, Consecutive: 16
Field Goal Percentage: 60-78 (.769)
Field Goals, 50+ yards, Career: 6
PATs, Consecutive: 44 (tied)

KAVANAUGH SETS TWO QUARTERBACK RUSHING RECORDS
SR QB Connor Kavanaugh set two Portland State and Big Sky Conference records for quarterback rushing in 2011. Kavanaugh's new marks were for rushing in a season (1,060) and a career (1,964) by a quarterback.  
    
Kavanaugh also became the tenth player in Portland State history to reach 1,000 yards in a season. It marks the 17th time there has been a 1,000-yard rushing season at PSU. Kavanaugh ranks 11th on PSU's career rushing list and 14th on the season rushing list (see page 20 of this release for more).
    
Kavanaugh was 127-219 passing for 1,628 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He had 2,688 yards of total offense and accounted for 16 touchdowns. Kavanaugh was named the Vikings' team MVP.

Top Rushing Quarterbacks In Big Sky Conference History, Season
    1.     Connor Kavanaugh, Portland State    2011    1,060
    2.     Lance Kriesien, Northern Arizona    2007    686
    3.     Travis Lulay, Montana State    2005    611
    4.     Ken Hobart, Idaho    1981    593
    5.     Dave Stireman, Weber State    1985    512
    6.    Connor Kavanaugh, Portland State    2010    506

Top Rushing Quarterbacks In Big Sky Conference History, Career
    1.     Connor Kavanaugh, Portland State    2008-11    1,964
    2.     Ken Hobart, Idaho    1980-83    1,826

PSU LOSES 27 SENIORS, 11 STARTERS FROM 2011 ROSTER
Portland State has 27 seniors leaving the program in 2011. The Vikings lose four starters on offense,  and seven on defense.
    
In all, Portland State had 76 players earn letters in 2011. Because two of the 27 seniors did not play, the Vikings will potentially have 51 letterwinners return. The Vikings will return 13 starters, seven on offense, four on defense and two on special teams. Ten other players with starts during their careers are scheduled to return in 2012.
    
PSU has 77 potential returners from its 2011 roster, 26 of which will be seniors in 2012.
    
A breakdown of who is going and who is staying (/ means players shared starts):

OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (7): OL Kyle Ritt, C Mitch Gaulke, OL Joey Esposito, OL Mitchell Van Dyk, TE Gage Loftin/Kalua Noa, WR Justin Monahan, WR Nevin Lewis
OFFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (4): OL Dustin Waldron, OL Adam Kleffner, QB Connor Kavanaugh, RB Cory McCaffrey/Willie Griffin
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (4): DL Julious Moore/Bryant Long, LB Joel Sisler, LB Ian Sluss, CB Mike Williams
DEFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (7): DE Jack Forbes, DT Alika Vaiese, DT Myles Wade, LB Ryan Rau, SS DeShawn Shead, FS Donte Almond, CB David Ross
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS RETURNING (2): K Zach Brown, P Thomas Duyndam
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS LOST (1): LS Braedyn Eagle
OTHER SENIORS LOST (15): QB Justin Engstrom, QB Drew Hubel, WR Ricky Cookman, WR Antwun Baker, TE Kyle McMillin, TE Tree Thomas, FS Manoa Latu, LB Shane Melbo, LB Kevin Konrath, LB Anthony Davis, DE Carl Sommer, K Robert Truax, K Tyler Cope, OL Antonio Danek, OL Scott Shugert
OTHER PLAYERS WITH STARTS THAT RETURN (career starts): WR Roston Tatum (3), WR AJ Powell (4), RB Shaquille Richard (2), WR Keitrell Anderson (10), RB Ben Bowen (2), LB Khalil Bass (2), CB Karrington Jones (1), DE Brandon Tobias (1), LB Jaycob Shoemaker (4), DE Dereck Jester (4),

2011 TEAM LEADERS
Rushing Yards: Connor Kavanaugh, 1,060
Rushing Touchdowns: Cory McCaffrey, 13
Passing: Connor Kavanaugh, 127-219-6, 1,628 yards, 9 TD
Receiving: Justin Monahan, 52-707-6
Scoring: Zach Brown, 101 pts, 24 FG, 27 PAT, 1 2-pt PA
Field Goals: Zach Brown, 24-27
Total Offense: Connor Kavanaugh, 2,688 yards
All-Purpose Yards: Connor Kavanaugh, 1,060 (96.4); Nevin Lewis, 1,052 (116.9); Cory McCaffrey, 785 (157.0)
Punting: Thomas Duyndam, 43-39.0
Punt Returns: AJ Powell, 18-68-0
Kick Returns: Nevin Lewis, 29-686-0
Kick Return Average: DeShawn Shead, 26.1
Tackles: Ryan Rau, 90
Tackles For Loss: Ian Sluss, 13.5
Sacks: Ryan Rau, 4
Interceptions: Joel Sisler, 3-23-1
Pass Breakups: DeShawn Shead, 8
Quarterback Hurries: Julious Moore, 4
Fumble Recoveries: Joel Sisler, 2
Forced Fumbles: DeShawn Shead, 3
Blocked Kicks: Nevin Lewis, 3

CAREER LEADERS
Here is a look at the career leaders in respective stats for the 2011 Vikings (and their all-time PSU ranking where applicable):

Games Played: DeShawn Shead, 2008-11, 44; Ryan Rau, 2008-11, 43; Braedyn Eagle, 2008-11, 43
Games Started: DeShawn Shead, 2008-11, 44 (consecutive); Zach Brown, 2009-11, 33
Receptions: Justin Monahan, 2010-11, 82; Nevin Lewis, 2009-11, 32
Receiving Yards: Justin Monahan, 2010-11, 1,076; Nevin Lewis, 2009-11, 430
Rushing Yards: Cory McCaffrey, 2008-11, 2,018; Connor Kavanaugh, 2008-11, 1,964
Passing Yards/TDs: Drew Hubel, 2007-11, 6,678 (4th all-time)/44 TDs (6th all-time); Connor Kavanaugh, 2008-11, 3,189 yards/17 TDs
Tackles: Ryan Rau, 2008-11, 268; DeShawn Shead, 2008-11, 211
Tackles For Loss: Ryan Rau, 2008-11, 19.5; Ian Sluss, 2011, 13.5; Jack Forbes, 2010-11, 13.5; DeShawn Shead, 2008-11, 13
Sacks: Ryan Rau, 2008-11, 8; Julious Moore, 2010-11, 5; Jack Forbes, 2010-11, 4
Interceptions: DeShawn Shead, 2008-11, 11; Joel Sisler, 2009-11, 5
Pass Breakups: DeShawn Shead, 2008-11, 29
Field Goals: Zach Brown, 2009-11, 60 (1st all-time)

FACTS, FIGURES AND CURIOSITIES
WINS AND LOSSES: Portland State finished the season 7-4, its best record since going 7-4 in 2006. PSU went 3-2 on the road - its first winning road record since going 4-3 in 2006... PSU's 3-1 Big Sky road record matches its best ever (also 2000 and 2006)... with seven wins, PSU had more than the previous two years combined (4-18)... the Vikings were 4-2 at home... at 7-4, the Vikings have eight winning records in 16 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference... PSU is 55-31 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 28-62 on the road... PSU is 55-68 all-time in Big Sky Conference games in its' 16th season as a member. The Vikings are 34-28 at home, 21-40 on the road in BSC games.

WHAT'S THE SCORE?: Portland State scored 29 or more points in eight of 11 games, and 40 or more three times. It is the first time PSU has scored at least 40 points three times since 2005... the only times the Vikings failed to reach 29 was in a 55-13 loss at TCU, 30-24 loss at Montana and 23-17 win over Northern Colorado.

RECORD RUNS: Portland State's Pistol offense was conducive to big rushing numbers and a handful of new rushing records in 2011. The Vikings finished eighth in the nation in rushing (247.8 per game). To wit:
• Portland State has set a new season rushing record with 2,726 yards. The old mark was 2,248 yards (204.4 ypg), set in 2004.
• The Vikings established a single game rushing record with 436 yards at Idaho State on 58 carries (6 TDs). The old mark was 431 yards.
• SR QB Connor Kavanaugh set new PSU and Big Sky Conference records for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,060) and a career (1,964).
• The Vikings had the first-ever 200-200 rushing game in school history when Cory McCaffrey (218) and Connor Kavanaugh (212) each reached that total in the win over Idaho State.
• The Vikings survived the injury to star running back Cory McCaffrey, totaling 1,062 rushing yards in the five games after he went down (210.4 per game).

SOME VERY SPECIAL TEAMS: New Special Teams Coordinator Stacy Collins may have been the Viking coaching staff's “Coach of the Year.” His special teams were terrific throughout the season. Here are some season highlights:
• With nine total blocks (seven punt, two FG), PSU ranked second in the nation at the FCS level.
• The Vikings had gone five years without a punt block, but had six this season. JR WR Nevin Lewis had three blocked punts, JR LB Dionte Brooks had two, FR TE Taylor Martinek and SO RB Justin Lilley each had one.
• PSU snuffed out two fake punt attempts by opponents. Meanwhile, the Vikings converted two fake punts.
• The Vikings hadn't blocked a field goal in two years, but had two in 2011, both by GR DT Myles Wade. Wade's block in the closing moments against Northern Arizona allowed the Vikings to hang on for the win. He also had one against Montana State.
• The Vikings' JR K Zach Brown had a school-record string of 16 straight field goals made, including his first 10 this season. Brown was 24-27 this year extending his career field goal record to 60 and setting a new single-season record. His only misses were from 46 yards or longer. He led the nation in field goals made.
• The Vikings benefitted from a high snap on a punt attempt in the fourth period at Idaho State. FR WR Ronnie Simmons ran down the ISU punter for a 23-yard loss. The Vikings took over and two plays later SR RB Cory McCaffrey scored the game-winning touchdown.
• PSU's kick return team averages 22.4 per return this season. Lewis (23.7) and SR FS DeShawn Shead (26.1) lead the way in that department. Shead was the Big Sky leader in kick return average.
• Lewis, Wade and Brown (twice) all earned Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season.
• Lewis was named first team All-Big Sky Conference for Special Teams. Brown was a first team All-Big Sky kicker, and Shead and JR P Thomas Duyndam made honorable mention All-Big Sky for special teams.

LED BY SHEAD: SR SS DeShawn Shead started 44 straight games and was the only Viking to start and play in every game over the last four seasons. He won a Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor and was named first team All-Big Sky Conference at the end of the year. Shead had a career-high 64 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery... for his career, Shead had 211 tackles, 11 interceptions, 29 pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles.  

RELYIN' ON RYAN: SR LB Ryan Rau made a career-high 17 tackles, including two tackles for loss, at Montana. His 17 stops tied for the eighth most in PSU history for a game... for the season, Rau had a career-high 90 tackles to lead the team. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss, a team-high four sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery... Rau ended his career with 268 tackles and was the team-leader for three straight years (72 in 2009, 83 in 2010, 90 in 2011).

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: Portland State was last in the Big Sky Conference in 2010 in rushing defense, allowing 232.9 yards per game on the ground. Included were 391 rushing yards by Northern Arizona in the 2010 season finale. On Sept 17 this year, PSU held NAU - playing the same two feature backs as last season - to just 79 rushing yards. That set the tone for a much-improved defense in 2011... this year, PSU allowed a respectable 136.7 yards on the ground (and 214.5 through the air). The 351 yards allowed per game was down 113 yards from 464 last year. The Vikings also gave up 12 fewer points per game in 2011.

PLAYING LIKE SAMSON: The long flowing locks on JR WR Justin Monahan are reminiscent of the mighty Samson (although most on the team call him “Twilight” for his resemblance to a certain vampire in a famous movie/book series). Monahan played like Samson at TCU, totaling career-highs of nine receptions for 109 yards. His fourth-and-two catch at the TCU one-yard line in the fourth period kept a drive alive and led to a FR RB Shaquille Richard touchdown run... he had a big game with eight receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns at Eastern Washington. His first TD catch was on a tipped pass intended for Kalua Noa in the endzone. After Noa touched it, three Eagles players also touched it. Monahan was the fifth player to touch the ball when he secured the grab on a 14-yard touchdown... Monahan totaled a career-high 154 yards on six catches against Sacramento State... at Northern Colorado, Monahan made nine more catches for 71 yards and a touchdown... for the season, Monahan had a team-leading 52 catches for 707 yards and six touchdowns. He had 33% of PSU's receptions and 35% of PSU's receiving yards.

HE CAN DO IT ALL: JR WR Nevin Lewis has made his name as a do-it-all Viking and earned first team All-Big Sky Conference at the special teams position. He was brilliant on special teams, blocking three punts, snuffing out a fake punt with a tackle for loss and making three tackles in all. He also had 29 kick returns for an average of 23.7 per return... as a receiver, Lewis had 22 catches for 337 yards and two touchdowns. He had one rush for seven yards and, at Eastern Washington, completed a 14-yard touchdown pass on a reverse play... Lewis ranks fourth all-time in career kickoff return yards (1,117) and fourth in season kickoff return yards (686) at PSU... He did all this despite sitting out two games with injury.

GAULKE EARNS ACADEMIC HONORS: SO C Mitch Gaulke was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 team for his achievement in the classroom and on the field. Gaulke, from West Linn High School, started all 11 games at center, leading the Big Sky Conference's top rushing offense. He also maintains a 3.76 GPA in Business Administration: Accounting. He is the first Viking to win Academic All-District honors since 2007 (Jordan Senn, Cole Smith, Micheal Dorsey). District 8 includes all Division I football schools in the western region. Gaulke will now be eligible for the national ballot which will be voted on later this month.  

FLAGS, RAGS AND OTHER FLYING YELLOW OBJECTS: Portland State had problems with penalties this season, totaling 118 flags for 1,072 yards (10.8-97.5 per game)... PSU had to overcome itself as much as anything to pick up a 42-35 win at Idaho State. The Vikings commited 21 penalties for 209 yards in the game. The 21 flags was a new Big Sky Conference record and two shy of the NCAA I FCS record.

NEW ATTITUDE AT HOME: Portland State brought a new attitude to JELD-WEN Field. After going 35-9 at home over Tim Walsh's final eight seasons, 1999-2006 (including two 5-0 marks), the Vikings were just 7-13 at home the last four years (which includes 1-3 at Hillsboro Stadium in 2010). The Vikings were 4-2 in their return home... Head Coach Nigel Burton now has a 5-5 home record.

THE VIKINGS RECORD ON TV: Since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996, Portland State has appeared on television locally in Portland 40 times. PSU is 17-24 in those games, 10-8 at home, 7-16 on the road... the Vikings broke an 11-game TV losing streak with the win over Southern Oregon. PSU is 3-2 on TV this season.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: Portland State's win over Willamette (36-10) made it 2-0 against lower Division opponents this year. The aggregate score in those games was 88-10. Since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996, Portland State is 10-0 against lower division programs (Division II, III and NAIA).

THE DYNAMIC DUO: Before the injury to SR RB Cory McCaffrey, the dynamic duo of McCaffrey and SR QB Connor Kavanaugh were shredding Big Sky Conference defenses when they played together... they combined for an impressive 200 yards against Montana, although they came up short of another 100-100 game against a Big Sky opponent... in five of the nine Big Sky Conference games that Kavanaugh and McCaffrey have started together over the last two years, each has run for at least 100 yards. In one of the other three games (vs. Eastern Washington last year), Kavanaugh went out with a broken hand in the first period. If you throw out the EWU game, in the other eight that both have been healthy, they have combined for 2,226 yards and 25 touchdowns. That is an average of 278.3 yards and 3.1 touchdowns per game. Apparently, the Pistol offense works... McCaffrey is just the fourth Viking in history with at least three 200-yard rushing games (there have been 27 200-yard games)... with 2,018 rushing yards the past two seasons, McCaffrey ranks 10th on PSU's all-time list for career rushing. He ranks eighth all-time with 23 career rushing touchdowns... the only time McCaffrey failed to rush for 100 yards in a Big Sky game was last year at NAU when he went out with injury in the first period... with 1,711 career rushing yards, Kavanaugh is PSU's all-time quarterback rusher. His 506 yards last season were a school record for a quarterback. He broke that mark this year and now has a Big Sky record 807 yards this season.

THE HUBEL TELESCOPE: With SR QB Drew Hubel (that's HUE-bull, not hubble) having completed his career, it is worth taking a closer look at his Portland State career passing statistics. Hubel moved into fourth place in all-time passing yards at PSU with 6,678, passing Terry Summerfield (1982-85)... Hubel also has 44 career touchdown passes to rank sixth all-time... his pass completion total of 506 now ranks fifth all-time at PSU.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT REEL
OPENING WITH A BANG: Portland State re-opened newly-remodeled JELD-WEN Field for football with a big bang, beating Southern Oregon, 52-0 (9/3). The Vikings rolled up 597 yards of offense, including 335 on the ground and forced three SOU turnovers. PSU scored 31 points in the first 14 minutes of the game and never looked back.

SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMER: JR WR Nevin Lewis, who was the Vikings' top kick returner last year, showed he is a versatile special teams performer. Lewis did not have an opportunity for a return as PSU shut out Southern Oregon in the opener (9/3), but he had an impact elsewhere. Lewis blocked a punt and recorded a tackle on a fake punt attempt leading to a pair of Portland State touchdowns. In the first quarter, Southern Oregon tried a fake punt from its own 33-yard line. Lewis made the stop at the 27-yard line. Three plays later, Portland State scored to take a 17-0 lead. On Southern Oregon's next punt, Lewis broke through for the block. PSU took over at the Southern Oregon 8-yard line, and scored soon after to take a 24-0 lead.

THE OPENING GAME'S BEST STORY OF ALL: When JR OL Joey Esposito trotted onto the field for the opening snap on offense against Southern Oregon, few Viking fans noticed. Such is the anonymity of the offensive lineman. However, those familiar with Joey's story know it was the best one in a day filled with good Viking anecdotes.
    Esposito was playing in his first game since signing a national letter of intent with Portland State in 2010. Shortly after competing in spring football that year, Esposito was diagnosed with cancer for the SECOND TIME in his life. Having previously battled testicular cancer, Esposito this time was told he had a spot on his lung.
    The 6-4, 300-pound Esposito had previously overcome the insidious disease while in junior college. This time, he underwent chemotherapy throughout the summer of 2010 and eventually surgery to remove a piece of his lung.
    Not surprisingly, Esposito was unable to do anything football-related for the rest of the year. He returned for spring football this year, and despite being weak, showed promise. He was lauded for his resiliency in features by the Oregonian newspaper and KGW TV Sports during spring ball.
    “I pretty much had to start all over again,” Esposito told Ian Ruder of the Oregonian. “I wanted to come back and play football but I had to go through every day like it was my first day. I had to take my time getting into it and not rush. It took a while to get back into but this is what I do, this is who I am.”  
    Now with a clean bill of health, and after six months of preparation, Esposito, a native of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, is writing a new story in his life all over again.

RUNNING WILD: SR RB Cory McCaffrey and SR QB Connor Kavanaugh combined for 356 rushing yards in a 31-29 win over Northern Arizona in the Big Sky Conference opener (9/17). McCaffrey scored four touchdowns while Kavanaugh set a new career rushing high. It marked the fourth time in six Big Sky games together in the backfield that the two have had at least 100 yards each. McCaffrey was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week.

BLOCK PARTY: When GR DT Myles Wade blocked a late Northern Arizona field goal to secure a 31-29 Viking win (9/17), it marked the third block by a Viking in two games. Wade was named Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week. PSU also had a blocked punt in the game by FR TE Taylor Martinek. In the opener, JR WR Nevin Lewis also blocked a punt. Prior to that, PSU had not blocked a punt in five years, or a field goal in two years.

A RECORD RUN: SR QB Connor Kavanaugh and SR RB Cory McCaffrey became the first Viking teammates in history to rush for over 200 yards in the same game in a 42-35 win at Idaho State. McCaffrey rushed 33 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner from 34 yards out with 1:52 to play. Kavanaugh rushed 12 times for career-highs of 212 yards and four touchdowns (as well as completing 6-11 passes for 102 yards). PSU's 436 rushing yards were a new PSU record for a single game. Kavanaugh was named Big Sky Conference and National Player of the Week for his performance.

NO KICK ZONE: Portland State blocked two punts (Nevin Lewis, Dionte Brooks) and one field goal (Myles Wade) in a 38-36 loss to Montana State (10/8). That increased PSU's blocked kick total to six on the season (including two each by Lewis and Wade).

2K CORY: SR RB Cory McCaffrey became the 10th Viking in history to pass 2,000 career rushing yards with a 25-carry, 103-yard, one touchdown effort at Montana (10/15). McCaffrey has 2,018 career rushing yards in just 16 games as the Vikings' feature back.

DOUBLING UP: Portland State increased its win total to four with a 36-10 victory over Willamette (10/22). That matches the program's win total for the last two years combined (4-18). PSU outgained Willamette, 485-212, in the victory.

KAVANAUGH ENGINEERS BIG WIN: SR QB Connor Kavanaugh ran 24 times for 154 yards and completed 16 of 23 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in leading the Vikings to a 43-26 win over defending national champion Eastern Washington (10/29). PSU trailed 14-3 in the second period, but Kavanaugh led the Vikings on 10-, 11- and 12-play scoring drives later in the game to take command. PSU totaled 499 yards of offense.

BROWN, SISLER BURN UP INFERNO TURF: JR LB Joel Sisler and JR K Zach Brown burned up the red inferno turf in the Vikings' 43-26 win over Eastern Washington (10/29) Both were named Big Sky Conference Players of the Week. Sisler earned Defensive Player of the Week after returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown, making five tackles and a sack in the victory. He intercepted Bo Levi Mitchell and returned it for a touchdown with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter to give the Vikings an insurmountable 36-20 lead. Brown was Special Teams Player of the Week after making three field goals (38, 38, 41) and three extra points. He also executed a pooch kick that was recovered by the Vikings in the third quarter. It was Brown's fifth career Player of the Week honor.

SHEAD SWATS THE HORNETS: Portland State's defense turned in another solid performance, holding Sacramento State to 307 yards of total offense. The “D” essentially gave up only six points in the 29-20 win (11/5). One Sacramento State score came on an interception return for touchdown, and a second came after the Hornets recovered a PSU fumble on the one-yard line. SR SS DeShawn Shead sealed the win with a late interception to go with eight tackles, a sack and pass breakup. He was named Big Sky Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.

ANOTHER BIG PLAY: SR SS DeShawn Shead returned an interception 74 yards for the decisive score in a 23-17 victory over Northern Colorado (11/12). The play came with 3:54 to play and gave the Vikings a 23-14 lead. Shead also tied a career-high with nine tackles.

MORE RECORDS FALL: JR K Zach Brown set another record when he reached 20 field goals for the season at Northern Colorado (11/12). That broke his own school record of 18 field goals set twice. Brown was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. He finished he season with records of 24 (season) and 60 (career). Meanwhile, SR QB Connor Kavanaugh broke the Big Sky career rushing record for quarterbacks by climbing to 1,932 yards. He finished the season with records of 1,060 (season) and 1,964 (career).

BACK WHERE THEY BELONG: For the first time since the first week of the 2007 season, the Portland State football team appeared in the Sports Network's Top 25 poll (25th on Nov. 14).

POST-SEASON RECOGNITION: The Vikings had four players earn first team All-Big Sky Conference, three earn second team All-Big Sky and nine others named honorable mention All-Big Sky for 2011. In addition, Head Coach Nigel Burton was one of 20 finalists for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year Award.