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Portland State football opened its spring practice schedule, appropriately enough, under sunny skies on Wednesday. The sun has shone on the Vikings over the course of the past year as they come off their best Division I season ever, a 9-3 mark in 2015, and look to improve yet again in 2016.

"It's easy day one to be out here, excited, and add this weather to it. But there is a lot of work to do," said second-year Head Coach and FCS National Coach of the Year Bruce Barnum. "We weren't good enough last year. Yes, we created a buzz… but we have some things to fix. We lost some games last year that I didn't think we should have, and that is why we are here (in spring practice).

"We have to make sure the transition (to 2016) is good. I don't want to hit the high, then be on a roller coaster of records. I want to keep the program and the win margin going. I want to make the playoffs something we are disappointed in if we are not there. That is the goal of the program. We should be at the top of this conference with this university and the support we get."

Barnum returns 50 letterwinners and a total of 15 starters in 2016. The Vikings have eight starters back on offense, including quarterback Alex Kuresa, the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2015. On defense there are five starters returning. Barnum and his staff will address the needs the Vikings have at defensive tackle, middle linebacker and safety this spring, finding replacements in those positions.

"It starts with recruiting, which was easier this year," Barnum said. "Then we have to fix the holes with putting the right student-athletes on the field. With this system, I think we can do it. We just need to get them the reps. That is what spring is for."

Portland State returns to practice on Thursday morning. The spring game takes place on Apr. 23 at Stott Community Field.

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The Portland State Football Spring Schedule
Thurs., Mar. 31, 8-9:45 a.m.
Fri., Apr. 1, 8-9:45 a.m.
Tues., Apr. 5, 8-9:45 a.m.
Wed., Apr. 6, 8-9:45 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 7, 8-9:45 a.m.
Fri., Apr. 8, 2-5 p.m., scrimmage
Tues., Apr. 12, 8-9:45 a.m.
Wed., Apr. 13, 8-9:45 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 14, 8-9:45 a.m.
Fri., Apr. 15, 2-5 p.m., scrimmage
Tues., Apr. 19, 8-9:45 a.m.
Wed., Apr. 20, 8-9:45 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 21, 8-9:45 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 23, Spring Game, 2 p.m. 

All practices at Stott Community Field 

Complete spring prospectus in pdf

VIKINGS GAME WITH EASTERN WASHINGTON MOVES TO FRIDAY: Portland State's game with Eastern Washington in the 2016 season finale has been moved to Friday night, November 18. Originally scheduled for November 19, the contest moves up one day to assure availability of Providence Park during the MLS playoffs. PSU and Eastern played a Friday game the last time the Eagles were in town in 2014.

SCHEDULE NOTE: Portland State has signed a contract to host UC Davis in a non-conference game in 2017. The Aggies will come to PSU on Sept. 16, 2017. It will PSU's first non-conference home game against an FCS opponent since hosting UCD in 2009. This marks the fourth time the Vikings will play a Big Sky Conference opponent in a non-conference game, and the second time it has been UC Davis… PSU's 2017 preseason schedule also includes a game at Oregon State on Sept. 2. The Sept. 9 and Sept. 23 dates are still open for another non-conference contest.