VIKING FOOTBALL NEWS COMING THIS WEEK
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!

Complete preseason notes in pdf

The second year of the Nigel Burton era at Portland State begins on Sunday as the Viking football program opens its 2011 practice schedule. The Vikings anticipate making a big move this year in the Big Sky Conference standings as the transition made under Burton's watch should take hold.
    
Despite being very competitive in 2010, the Vikings managed only a 2-9 record on the season, 1-7 in the Big Sky Conference.
   
Burton was hired in December 2009 to revive a program that had been successful for a decade in the Big Sky Conference, but had fallen on hard times the previous three seasons under former coach Jerry Glanville. Now, with Burton's second recruiting class added and the Pistol Offense and 4-3 defense taking hold, the program is very optimistic about 2011. The Vikings return 49 letterwinners, including nine starters on offense, nine on defense, and three on special teams. That gives PSU the most experienced returning squad in several years.

PRESEASON PRACTICE
Portland State Football practice will open on 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.
   
The Vikings will practice every day, except Sundays, throughout the month of August. The 11-game schedule begins on Sept. 3, when the Vikings host Southern Oregon at JELD-WEN Field at 1:05 p.m. Big Sky Conference action opens on Sept. 17 as Northern Arizona comes to JELD-WEN Field for a 5:05 p.m. start.
   
PSU will practice from 3-5:30 p.m. every day between Aug. 7-11. Doubles begin on Aug. 12 when the Vikings start at 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
   
The Vikings will hold scrimmages on Aug. 13 and Aug. 20, beginning at 10:30 a.m. each day.
   
Football practice and scrimmages are open to the public. Week one schedule:
Aug. 7    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 8    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 9    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 10    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 11    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 12    10:30-12:30, 5:30-8 p.m.
Aug. 13     Scrimmage 10:30 a.m.

A RETURN TO DOWNTOWN
Oregon's only major urban campus has proudly called the city's only major football stadium its own for more than four decades. After one year away - while the newly-named JELD-WEN Field was being refurbished - Portland State will play once again in downtown Portland.
   
The Vikings' home field for nearly 45 years and formerly known as PGE Park (and Civic Stadium and Multnomah Stadium), JELD-WEN had a facelift in preparation for the arrival of Major League Soccer and the new Portland Timbers franchise in 2011.
   
The “new” JELD-WEN Field now has a completely enclosed and surrounding seating, greater amenities, a fresh pressbox, and a much more intimate feel.
   
The Portland Timbers, who are the main tenants of the venue, renamed the stadium JELD-WEN Field after a sponsorship from Jeld-Wen Inc., a manufacturer of doors and windows based in Klamath Falls, OR.
   
“JELD-WEN Field will be the premier FCS stadium and fan experience in the country,” said Viking Coach Nigel Burton. “There aren't many places that will be able to match our location, state-of-art field, scoreboard, medical facilities, luxury boxes, club level and suites. There really isn't anything like it. So, I am extremely excited about the fan experience.”
   
Portland State first played football in old Multnomah Stadium in 1949, then returned in 1966 and became a regular tenant in 1967 of what became Civic Stadium. Following a renovation in 2001, the stadium was renamed PGE Park.
   
Tickets for the 2011 season can be purchased by calling 888-VIK-TIKS.

THE 2011 SCHEDULE
Portland State has six home games on its 11-game 2011 schedule. The Vikings will host four Big Sky Conference games and two non-conference games in the newly-refurbished facility.
   
PSU hosts Southern Oregon in a non-conference season opener on Sept. 3. The Big Sky Conference opener will be two weeks later against Northern Arizona on Sept. 17.
   
Other Big Sky Conference home games include Montana State on Oct. 8, Sacramento State on Nov. 5 and Weber State on Nov. 19. The Vikings have an additional non-conference game with Willamette on Oct. 22.
   
“We are excited about this schedule because it let's our team and fans experience the renovated JELD-WEN Field six times this season,” said Director of Athletics Torre Chisholm. “After putting our team through a harrowing year of seven road games last season due to the stadium renovation, we made it a priority to ensure as many home games as possible.”
   
However, the Vikings continue their trend of playing the best collegiate football programs in the nation in 2011. After facing BCS finalist Oregon last year, PSU will travel to Rose Bowl Champion TCU on Sept. 24.
   
“It will be a great chance for some of our players from the state of Texas to get to play in front of family and friends. The defending Rose Bowl champions will be a great challenge we are looking forward to,” said Coach Nigel Burton.
   
PSU currently has seven players from Texas, including two freshmen from Fort Worth, Vincent Johnson and Roston Tatum.
   
The road schedule features other big-name opponents as Portland State will play at NCAA I FCS National Championship Eastern Washington on Oct. 29. The Vikings will see the red “Inferno” turf of Roos Field for the first time.
   
Other Big Sky Conference road games include Idaho State on Oct. 1, perennial powerhouse Montana on Oct. 15 and Northern Colorado on Nov. 12.

QUICK NOTES FOR 2011
OREGONIAN OFFENSE: Portland State has six players from the state of Oregon listed as number one on the depth chart on offense entering 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), who 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... in all, Portland State has some 36 Oregonians on its roster.

VETS: SR SS DeShawn Shead and SR LS Braedyn Eagle return this year as the only two Vikings to appear in every game the last three seasons (33). Shead has started every game. SR LB Ryan Rau (32) and SR OT Dustin Waldron (30) are next on the most games played list... Waldron (24), JR K Zach Brown (22), Rau (21), JR OL Kyle Ritt (21), SR QB Drew Hubel (20) and JR P Thomas Duyndam (20) are next on the most games started list.

NUMBER TWO AND LOOKING TO MOVE UP: Three Vikings ranked second in the Big Sky Conference in their respective statistical categories and all return with an eye on being number one in 2011... SR RB Cory McCaffrey was second in rushing with 1,287 yards. Conference leader Taiwan Jones from Eastern Washington has moved on to an NFL career... JR K Zach Brown was second in field goals (and third in the nation) with 18 behind Jason Cunningham of Montana State (20). Cunningham is a senior... JR P Thomas Duyndam was second in punting with a 42.6 yard average. David Harrington (44.3) of Idaho State is also a junior.

WORST TO FIRST: Portland State averaged a Big Sky Conference-best 203.3 rushing yards per game in 2010 in the first season under Nigel Burton and the Pistol Offense. That came after three straight years of finishing last in rushing offense in the Big Sky under former coach Jerry Glanville.

NEW ATTITUDE AT HOME: Portland State hopes to also bring 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 have gone just 7-13 at home the last four years.

ANOTHER HARDWOOD TO GRIDIRON TRANSFER: For the second year in a row, Portland State will have a former Viking basketball player join the football team. While nobody expects Phillip “Tree” Thomas to have the same impact as Julius Thomas had in 2010, it will be interesting to see what happens. Thomas, a 6-8, 250-pounder, played two seasons for the Viking basketball team, ending up a starter in 2010-11 and scoring 9.7 points per game. Tree, who has no previous football experience, will have one year of eligibility with the football team and play tight end... former Viking Julius Thomas adjusted well after four years with the Viking basketball team. Despite not playing football since his freshman season in high school, Thomas earned first team All-Big Sky Conference honors with 29 catches for 453 yards and two touchdowns. Following the 2010 season, he was selected in the fourth round  of the NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

NEW STAFF: Malik Roberson was added as the new defensive line coach at Portland State prior to the start of spring practice. Roberson spent the last three seasons as DL coach at Washington State and six years at Eastern Washington prior to that. Roberson replaced Legi Suiaunoa who moved on to a similar position at the University of Montana... two coaches left during the summer - Mark Kaanapu (running backs/recruiting) and Dave Brown (run game coordinator/wide receivers). Replacing them on the staff are former Viking player Matt Leunen and veteran coach Stacy Collins. Collins, who has 13 years experience, was recently named the new Special Teams Coordinator. Leunen was named the tight ends coach. As a result, there have been some staff reassignments. Former Special Teams Coordinator John Ely will now be running backs coach. Steve Cooper, who played wide receiver for the Vikings, moves from coaching tight ends to handling receivers.

SHAGGY LOCKS: SR C Adam Kleffner's hair just keeps getting longer. In fact, he hasn't cut it in over a year. The reason? He is growing it out to donate to Locks of Love for children who lose their hair while undergoing medical treatment. Kleffner's hair needs to be 10 inches long before it can be cut and donated. It is anticipated to be ready to snip around the start of fall camp.

TWEET, HE SAID: Portland State Football Coach Nigel Burton has joined the Twitterscape, launching his own Twitter account. Burton can be followed by signing up at www.Twitter.com/CoachBurton_PSU.

VIKINGS PICKED SEVENTH IN PRESEASON POLLS: Portland State has been picked to place seventh in the Big Sky Conference preseason football polls.
   
The Vikings, coming off a 2-9/1-7 season in 2010, are trying to climb back up the Big Sky standings after four straight non-winning seasons. Second-year Head Coach Nigel Burton should have a more talented and experienced group returning in 2011 with 49 letterwinners and 21 returning starters (9 on offense, 9 on defense and 3 on special teams). The seventh-place selection is one spot higher than the Vikings' 2010 finish.
   
The Big Sky proves to be one of the toughest conferences in the nation annually and boasts the defending national champion in Eastern Washington (13-2/7-1). The Eagles were picked to place first in the preseason polls by both the coaches and the media.
   
Co-Big Sky champion Montana State (9-3/7-1) was picked second in each poll, while Montana (7-4/5-3) was picked third after missing the playoffs in 2010 for the first time since 1993.
   
Sacramento State (6-5/5-3) was picked fourth in both polls, while Weber State (6-5/5-3) and Northern Arizona (6-5/4-4) alternated fifth and sixth in the two polls.
   
The Vikings were picked to place seventh and have not placed higher than sixth since Tim Walsh led PSU to a tie for second in 2006 (7-4/6-2).
   
Northern Colorado and Idaho State round out the poll.
   
Perhaps this is the year for the Vikings to make a move as they will have six home games, including three in conference against the teams picked to place just ahead of them (Sacramento State, Northern Arizona and Weber State). PSU also hosts defending Big Sky co-champion Montana State at JELD-WEN Field.
   
The Vikings travel to national champion Eastern Washington, third-place Montana, seventh-place Northern Colorado and last-place Idaho State.

2011 Big Sky Conference Preseason Polls (with place, team, first-place votes, voting points)
Coaches
1. Eastern Washington (6), 60
2. Montana State (3), 57
3. Montana, 49
4. Sacramento State, 46
5. Northern Arizona, 35
6. Weber State, 32
7. Portland State, 23
8. Northern Colorado, 13
9. Idaho State, 10
 
Media
1. Eastern Washington (29), 430
2. Montana State (19), 414
3. Montana (3), 365
4. Sacramento State, 273
5. Weber State, 247
6. Northern Arizona, 228.5
7. Portland State, 151.5,
8. Northern Colorado, 110.5
9. Idaho State, 76.5

A LOOK AT THE VIKINGS IN 2011
When the Portland State football program takes the field for the start of fall practice, the program will have more returners and starters than it has had in many years.
   
Second-year Head Coach Nigel Burton welcomes back 49 letterwinners, more than 20 redshirts, gray shirts and squad members. In addition, a handful of 2011 national letter of intent signees also took part in spring practice, increasing the level of experience in the program.
   
Moreover, Burton is excited that 21 starters return for the Vikings, including nine on offense, nine on defense and all three special teams roles. Among those key returners are first team All-Big Sky Conference running back Cory McCaffrey, quarterback Connor Kavanaugh, and the entire starting offensive line. Defensively, All-Big Sky defensive back DeShawn Shead leads the return of the entire defensive backfield, as well as veteran defensive end Carl Sommer, fourth-year linebacker Ryan Rau and a host of others with starting and/or game experience. Finally, the Vikings boast one of the top kickers in the country in junior Zach Brown, and third-year starting punter Thomas Duyndam.
   
In fact, a scan of the initial two-deep reveals virtually every player has lettered at Portland State. That kind of field experience has not been present on the Park Blocks in years.
   
PSU's offense, with a switch to the Pistol, took a big step forward in 2010. The defense, which made a switch to the 4-3, is still a work in progress.
   
“The emphasis is on the defense and on special teams and making sure we tackle better,” said Burton. “And, we have to create more turnovers on the defensive side of the ball as well as limit our turnovers.”
   
“In our big games last year, where we were so close to pulling it off, those were the things that cost us in the end - whether it was Montana, Sac State, Weber State, Montana State. Turning the ball over in bad situations and not creating turnovers - especially when we got into league play - and not tackling well in those situations hurt us.”

TAKING THE NEXT STEP
In Head Coach Nigel Burton's first season at Portland State the groundwork was laid for the program he was hired to transform. Although the Vikings were just 2-9 in the win-loss column, PSU proved to be far more competitive on the field than the previous year.
   
But for a few last-minute heartbreaks, the Viking season might have been much different. Portland State, which played just four home games and seven on the road, got Burton his first win as a Head Coach with a convincing 41-33 decision at UC Davis. Two weeks later, the Vikings opened Big Sky Conference play with a 38-3 rout of Idaho State.
   
At 2-2, 1-0 in the Big Sky, PSU appeared poised for a competitive conference season. And for the most part it was, but the Vikings couldn't find a way to come out on the positive end of the scoreboard, particularly during a three-week stretch in October. To wit:
   
• Portland State led 10th-ranked and eventual Big Sky champion Montana State, 18-3, late in the first quarter of a game at Bozeman. However, MSU roared back and eventually won, 44-31.
   
• The Vikings scored a go-ahead touchdown against 11th-ranked Montana with 2:34 left in the game. But the Grizzlies were able to mount a final drive that resulted in a game-winning field goal as time expired, 23-21.
   
• The very next week, PSU scored a go-ahead touchdown at Weber State with 1:02 left in the game and led 41-37. Again the opponent prevailed, as the Wildcats scrambled down the field, running six plays in 41 seconds, scoring the winning touchdown with 21 seconds left, winning 44-41.
   
• Even a 27-9 lead late in the first half against Northern Colorado on Nov. 13 melted away. The Bears completed a Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half for a touchdown, then rallied in the second half for a 35-30 victory.
   
Despite those difficult endings, Portland State saw progress on the field and off with a team that had just 10 seniors competing in 2010.

How does Portland State make progress in the win column in 2011?
• An improved defense that does a better job of stopping the run.
• Fill the holes at the positions lacking depth: tight end, wide receiver, cornerback.
• Establish big playmakers and big plays on defense.
• Develop the belief in the schemes in place and the talent to execute them.

Now, a veteran-laden team - and one with two Nigel Burton recruiting classes in the fold - plans (no, expects) to get results on the field.

OFFENSE
Burton's Pistol offense had a profound impact on the Big Sky Conference in 2010 as the Vikings led the league with 203.3 rushing yards per game. In 2011, the key elements of that ground game return. All-Big Sky running back Cory McCaffrey is back after compiling 1,287 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. His running mate was honorable mention Big Sky quarterback Connor Kavanugh who rushed for 506 yards and four scores despite going down with a broken hand early in the season's eighth game.
   
Kavanaugh had surgery to repair the break and was back throwing well by January. He was healthy and a full-go during spring football and should have no ill effects in 2011.
   
Also returning is change-of-pace back Willie Griffin, who had 204 yards and two TDs although he was only available for eight games due to injury.
   
“We want to make Willie more of a factor, so we have a 1A and 1B approach to our running game,” said Burton.
   
Kavanaugh was also an effective passer, completing 60% of his throws for 1,109 yards, six touchdowns and just three interceptions. Kavanaugh has a streak of 90 straight passes without a pick entering 2011.
   
Hubel, who missed the 2010 season with shoulder problems, was the Viking starter (in a different system) for most of his first three seasons at PSU. More of a throwing quarterback, Hubel offers a different look than Kavanaugh to opposing defenses.
   
“I feel really good about (Kavanaugh and Hubel), and I feel good about Justin Engstrom and Josh Milhollin,” said Burton. “We have some quarterbacks who can run the Pistol. If Drew wins the job, he can really wing it, so we may still do some adaptation.”
   
Portland State's offensive line returns almost entirely intact. Offensive tackles Dustin Waldron and Kyle Ritt return as well as center Adam Kleffner. Those three started every game in 2010. Offensive guards Manny Rojas, Mitch Gaulke and Alex Cosenza who had the bulk of the starts at that position also return.
   
“They had a nice year (in 2010),” Burton said. “(Offensive line coach) Brad Davis really coached his rear off. Those guys know they have to improve big-time though. They didn't get a whole lot of accolades and they still understand there is a lack of respect for their crew within the conference.
   
“Dustin Waldron should be a first-team All-Conference guy. Kyle Ritt and Adam Kleffner should be All-Conference as well this year.
   
“(Redshirt) Bruce Seumanutafa is going to be a great addition, as well as Anthony Moxley.”
   
PSU's offensive questions are at receiver, particularly tight end. All-Big Sky (and now NFL) tight end Julius Thomas and Rory Richards have graduated. The Vikings will look to senior Kyle McMillin and signees Gage Loftin and Taylor Meyrick to pick up the slack.
   
“Kyle McMillin knows he needs to step up, and we have moved Kalua Noa from wide receiver to tight end. Athletically, Noa can scare some people with his speed at that position and he already had the size, playing at 225 last year, and he runs low 4.5s,” said Burton.
   
In fact, Noa appeared to win the starting role during the spring as his transition to tight end was nearly seemless.
   
“Gage Loftin brings some experience at the position from junior college and with Taylor Meyrick back we feel we have a guy who can set the edge as a run blocker.”
   
Junior wide receiver Justin Monahan is the top returner with 30 catches for 369 yards and two touchdowns. And, there are a host of others with experience in Keitrell Anderson, Ricky Cookman and Nevin Lewis. But, the Vikings' big need is downfield speed. Burton expects that need has been addressed with the signing of JC Kenny Davis, gray shirt Roston Tatum, and freshmen David Jones and Alex Toureen.
   
“Really the whole group is back except for (2010 leading receiver) Nick Hutter,” said Burton. “We are looking for Justin Monahan to step up and be a guy who, on third down, always gets the play.    
   
“Athletically, we have really stepped up bringing in (2010 signee) Roston Tatum after a gray shirt year. He is a big and physical guy. Add in Kenny Davis, and I really think Alex Toureen is a guy who has a great chance to play as a true freshman. He is a great route runner, very athletic and way faster than he is given credit for. He has great hands and is very smart. So, he has everything we look for in terms of being a true freshman who can contribute.
   
“I think a couple of guys that may sneak in there are (2010 return man) AJ Powell and Marcus Wells. Marcus had a great redshirt year. He made a lot of plays on the scout team. He just makes plays, so I think he will be a guy who finds himself on the field contributing.”

DEFENSE
The Viking defense has been a work in progress for Burton and his staff. But, a better grasp of the 4-3 scheme and a more experienced group should make the unit far more effective in 2011.
   
PSU's top defensive player is senior DeShawn Shead (he was named preseason All-Big Sky Conference for 2011). Late in 2010, Shead spent significant time at strong safety after spending his entire career as a starting cornerback. The move may now become permanent as the All-Conference defensive back spent spring practice at the position.
   
“We know that DeShawn is a shut-down corner. I think for him, long term, he can bring even more value at strong safety. He allows us to have an extra cover guy because we now have depth at cornerback. David Ross and Mike Williams are back. They are talented and have been starters. So, making the move with DeShawn will increase our athleticism and ability to cover. Then, we can move Manoa Latu to free safety where he can be more effective.”
   
One of the reasons for the potential move is the increased talent at the cornerback position. Starter David Ross returns, while a very experienced Michael Williams is back for his third season. In addition, newcomer Aaron Kincy, from Butte JC, is expected to be a major player in the defensive backfield. Another third-year player, Denzel Davis, and redshirt freshman Karrington Jones bring depth to the position.
   
At safety, Latu and Nathan Snow, who made most of the starts at the two positions are back in 2011. Latu had 72 tackles and three interceptions after being Nigel Burton's first signee in 2010. Veterans Nick Green and Donte Almond also return.
   
Senior Ryan Rau leads an experienced group in the second row as well. Rau had 83 tackles at the middle linebacker spot to lead the team for a second straight year. Juniors Joel Sisler and Jaycob Shoemaker return at outside linebacker. Senior Shane Melbo, the team's Most Improved Player, had starts at both middle and weakside linebacker. Add to those players junior college signee Khalil Bass and it will be another position where competition for playing time is heightened.
   
“This has got to be the most improved group on the football team. As your linebackers go, so goes your defense. They struggled last year,” said Burton.
   
“I think we have fixed it in two ways. One, we have raised the standard of expectation for them mastering the system. They can't think their way through it. They have to master it, so they can just play.
   
“In addition, we are increasing the competition level by bringing in some transfers that we know can play. So, it will be do the job or there is probably someone else who can do it if you can't. And, I think they are up for the challenge and looking forward to it. Bringing in a guy like Khalil Bass is big. He is very tough, very athletic, smart and a football junkie. (Redshirt) Dionte Brooks will also be eligible to compete. I look forward to seeing what (redshirt) Corey Crowder can do, and the one guy that I can't wait to have back is Jaycob Shoemaker, who last year just got better week-to-week (before being injured).”
   
In order for the Vikings to do a better job of stopping the run - which was their weakness in 2010 - they will have to be better up front. And, like many other positions, a host of players return to do just that.
   
Defensive ends Carl Sommer, Jack Forbes and Bryant Long, as well as tackles Julious Moore and Alika Vaiese are now veterans with a number of starts. Sommer led all defensive linemen with 46 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2010.
   
He, along with Julious Moore, are potential All-Conference performers.
   
Texas Tech transfer Myles Wade, a native of Portland, will also offer up-front size and ability. Wade is expected to step right in at tackle and be a key performer.
   
“We think the defensive line is our most talented group, but we had so many first-year starters and players last year that we didn't have a lot of experience and we took our lumps. Guys weren't able to play fast because they were still thinking and they were young. We now expect them to live up to the talent they have.
   
“We add in (redshirts) Vincent Johnson, who can be a dominant guy in this conference, and Brandon Tobias, who may play as hard as any guy I have ever seen.”

SPECIAL TEAMS
Portland State's special teams should be as good as ever. Junior kicker Zach Brown already holds PSU records for field goals in a season and a career and consecutive extra points made. He will be one of the top kickers in the nation in 2011. Junior punter Thomas Duyndam, who has played American football for just three years, had a 42.6 average in 2010 which ranks as third-best for a season in school history.
   
Both players were honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference in 2010.
   
“I was pretty disappointed that Thomas Duyndam didn't get (first or second team) All-Conference last year,” said Burton. “When you are second in the conference in punting and we aren't punting at elevation as opposed to most of the other schools, I think he earned it.
   
“But we go back and teach the team that those honors come when you win as opposed to individual production.
   
“Zach has got to be one of the most talented kickers I have been around. He just has to work on his consistency.“
   
Also back are fourth-year long snapper Braedyn Eagle, punt and kick returner AJ Powell (4.7/17.8) and kick returner Nevin Lewis (25.4).