VIKING FOOTBALL NEWS COMING THIS WEEK
Tuesday: Local Players and Their Impact,
Nigel Burton on KPAM 860 AM at 6:25 p.m.
Wednesday: Season Preview and Notes
Thursday: Nigel Burton on Talkin' Ball on Comcast Sports Net at 6 p.m. (show repeats as well)
Friday: Still More!
OREGONIAN OFFENSE
Portland State has six players from the state of Oregon listed as number one on the depth chart on offense entering the start of practice:
Dustin Waldron (Pleasant Hill/Marist),
Kyle Ritt (Aloha),
Adam Kleffner (Portland/Jesuit),
Connor Kavanaugh (Portland/Lincoln),
Cory McCaffrey (Sisters), and
Justin Monahan (West Linn).
Other Oregonians who figure to be prominent on offense are OL
Mitch Gaulke (West Linn), QB
Drew Hubel (Corvallis), WR
Ricky Cookman (Clackamas) and WR
Nevin Lewis (Culver). In fact, the top four Viking quarterbacks are Oregonians (including
Justin Engstrom/Scappoose and
Josh Milhollin/South Medford). Throw in newcomers
Taylor Meyrick (TE/Oregon City) and
Alex Toureen (WR/Cottage Grove) - both of whom have been tabbed to have an impact - and veteran K
Zach Brown (Keizer/McNary) and PSU has strong group of offensive talent from the state.
Portland State has 35 Oregonians on its roster entering fall camp which opens this Sunday, August 7 at 3 p.m. at Stott Community Field. It will mark the beginning of four weeks of preparation leading up to the 2011 season.
Second-year Head Coach
Nigel Burton welcomes back 49 letterwinners and 21 starters (9 o/9 d/3 st) in 2011 as the Vikings anticipate climbing up the Big Sky standings following a 2-9 season.
Some of Portland State's top returning local players
1
Cory McCaffrey RB 5-9 185 SR 3V Sisters, OR (Sisters)
1st team All-Big Sky Conference
Top returning rusher in the Big Sky Conference with 1,287 yards and 10 TDs in 2010.
6
Connor Kavanaugh QB 6-0 185 SR 3V Portland, OR (Lincoln)
Honorable Mention All-Big Sky Conference
PSU QB record 506 rushing yards, 1,109 passing yards in only seven complete games.
8
Josh Milhollin QB 6-4 190 FR RS Medford, OR (South Medford)
Coming off redshirt season, could be quarterback of the future behind three seniors
13
Drew Hubel QB 6-5 205 SR RS•3V Corvallis, OR (Corvallis)
Coming off injury redshirt season, will compete with Kavanaugh for QB position
6,358 career passing yards, 42 TDs
18
Ricky Cookman WR 5-11 195 SR 3V Clackamas, OR (Clackamas)
Had 13 catches, 143 yards and a touchdown last year.
19
Zach Brown K 6-1 180 JR 2V Keizer, OR (McNary)
Has a school record 36 FGs in just two seasons. Has also tied the school record with 41 straight XPs
also four 50+ field goals made
55
Major Harris DE 6-3 220 FR RS Salem, OR (McKay)
Top athlete who should compete for playing time this fall.
61
Adam Kleffner OL 6-3 310 SR 3V Portland, OR (Jesuit)
Honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference in 2010, he is a returning starter at center.
Part of an offensive line that led the Vikings to a league leading 203.3 rushing yards per game.
66
Mitch Gaulke OL 6-2 265 SO 1V West Linn, OR (West Linn)
Started five games at guard in the middle of the season before injury knocked him out.
69
Kyle Ritt OL 6-2 290 JR 2V Aloha, OR (Aloha)
Honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference in 2010, he is a returning starter.
Part of an offensive line that led the Vikings to a league leading 203.3 rushing yards per game.
79
Dustin Waldron OL 6-6 280 SR 3V Pleasant Hill, OR (Marist)
Honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference in 2010, he is a returning starter. Getting interest from NFL scouts.
Part of an offensive line that led the Vikings to a league leading 203.3 rushing yards per game.
84
Justin Monahan WR 6-2 195 JR 1V West Linn, OR (West Linn/Whitworth)
Top returning receiver for the Vikings, started every game last year. Had 30 catches, 369 yards, 2 TDs.
85
Nevin Lewis WR 6-2 195 JR 2V Culver, OR (Culver)
One of the state's top small school athletes in 2008-09. Led PSU with 25.4 yard kick return average last year.
93
Carl Sommer DE 6-4 260 SR 2V Wilsonville, OR (Wilsonville/Oregon State)
Coming off a strong season when he was honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference.
Had 46 tackles to lead all linemen, and 11 tackles for loss and four sacks to lead the team.
Among the top newcomers from Oregon
41
Tyler Turituri DB 6-2 220 FR HS Central Point, OR (Crater)
a high school quarterback/linebackers, he is an extremely versatile athlete who may play defensive back
47
Myles Wade DT 6-1 300 GR TR Portland, OR (Central Catholic/Texas Tech)
Graduated from Texas Tech with one year of eligibility remaining. He has returned home and should
compete to start for the Vikings.
83
Alex Toureen WR 6-0 180 FR HS Cottage Grove, OR (Cottage Grove)
His league's offensive MVP in high school, he is expected to play as a true freshman.
Last year, he caught 69 passes for 1,597 yards and 26 touchdowns.
87
Brian Balsiger WR 6-2 195 FR HS Tualatin, OR (Tualatin)
Named to the Oregon 6A All-State first team last year.
89
Taylor Meyrick TE 6-5 275 FR RS Oregon City, OR (Oregon City)
A redshirt last year who will have a shot at playing time at a position without much experience.
Some other top players from out of state
2
Nick Green SS 6-2 200 JR 1V Ridgefield, WA (Central Catholic)
Had 17 tackles and an interception last year after moving to defense from quarterback position.
15
Manoa Latu FS 6-1 205 SR 1V Kapahulu, HI (Saint Louis/Mt. SAC)
Made 10 starts, 72 tackles, three interceptions last season.
24
DeShawn Shead SS 6-2 210 SR 3V Palmdale, CA (Highland)
Top defensive player and preseason All-Big Sky Conference choice. Top NFL prospect.
Has started all 33 career games, making nine interceptions, 21 pass breakups.
30
Thomas Duyndam P 6-4 215 JR 2V Melbourne, Australia (St. Bernard's)
Australian ranked in 11th in the nation in punting, second in the Big Sky. His 42.6 average was third-best in school history.
34
Ryan Rau LB 6-1 230 SR 3V Folsom, CA (Folsom)
A started the last two years, he has led the team in tackles both seasons.
95
Julious Moore DT 6-0 290 SO 1V Bellevue, WA (Bellevue)
Honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference. Started as a true freshman and should start again.
