When quarterback Davis Alexander hit wide receiver Mataio Talalemotu on a 49-yard pass on the initial play of Portland State's Spring Football Game, the defense could have fallen back on its heels for the rest of the day. But the 50-play scrimmage didn't quite work out that way.
 
Portland State's Head Coach Bruce Barnum and Defensive Coordinator Payam Saadat were looking for their young defense to respond then and throughout the scrimmage. And they did just that.
 
The Viking offense was stymied after the first play, gaining no yards on an Alexander scramble, followed by an incompletion and a sack. Sophomore Graycen Kennedy kicked a 32-yard field goal to end the drive, so the offense got some satisfaction, but it wouldn't get much more for the rest of the scrimmage.
 
In 11 series of plays, with several starting near and across midfield, the Viking offense managed two touchdowns and a field goal. That gave the defense eight stops, including three three-and-outs.
 
Offensively, the Vikings moved the ball, but the defense was able to shut down most drives before too much damage was done. In fact, the two longest series' by the offense went seven plays. The first resulted in a missed field goal and the second was stopped on a fourth-and-one play at the nine-yard line.
 
There were no turnovers forced, but the defense made two sacks, broke up four passes and got a pair of fourth-down stops.
 
Offensively, the Vikings had 282 yards on the 50 plays.
 
Most important for Barnum was turning the page for a program after a disappointing 2017 season.
 
"I wanted to see a product on the field that I know once we get to August 31 at Nevada, we have a chance to win a football game, and I saw that," he said. "I liked the communication. I heard everybody picking each other up. We are going to have to play together if we are going to win football games and I saw that today. We are back to where I want to be."
 
Alexander, a sophomore who had three starts at quarterback last season, tossed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Easton Trakel later in the scrimmage. The sophomore receiver made a catch over the middle, then outraced the defense for the last 20 yards, scampering and diving into the corner of the end zone.
 
The other TD came on a 17-yard pass from quarterback Jalani Eason to wide receiver Beau Kelly.
 
The competition for a starting role at quarterback will be interesting as the team returns to the field in August. On Saturday, all three signal callers got their opportunity.
 
"Today I wanted everybody to play, because that doesn't happen in the fall," Barnum said. "Spring is for competing and that is what we did. Everybody got equal reps (at quarterback) and they are all unique at something. When you are mixing and matching personnel its tough, but I liked how they acted. We are used to scoring more than that and we will."
 
Eason, a sophomore that started five games last season, was 7-12 passing for 87 yards and a touchdown. Alexander completed 3-7 passes for 93 yards and a score. And freshman Davis Koetter was 2-7 for nine yards.
 
Trakel led all receivers with three catches for 76 yards and a score. Talalemotu had three receptions and 56 yards.
 
Antwone Williams rushed five times for 35 yards to lead all players on the ground.
 
Nineteen players on defense were in on at least one tackle. Freshman defensive back Jared Reed made three tackles and two pass breakups. Sophomore linebacker Nicolas Ah Sam had two tackles, including a sack, and a pass breakup.
 
In addition to the 50 plays, PSU ran a dozen special teams plays during the scrimmage.
 
Scoring Summary
Graycen Kennedy 32 FG
Easton Trakel 40 yard TD reception from Davis Alexander
Beau Kelly 17 yard TD reception from Jalani Eason
 
Statistics
 
Passing: Jalani Eason 7-12, 87 yards, 1 TD; Davis Alexander 3-7, 93 yards, 1 TD; Davis Koetter 2-7, 9 yards
 
Rushing: Carlos Martin 4-26, Jason Talley 2-17, Antwone Williams 5-35, Jalani Eason 6-16, Davis Alexander 2-4, Bishop Mitchell 1-4
 
Receiving: Mataio Talalemotu 3-56, Easton Trakel 3-76-1, Beau Kelly 2-36-1, Justin Altenhofen 1-8, Isaiah Woods 1-9, Stephen Marcille 1-4, Antwone Williams 1-0
 
Defense (includes combined tackles): Terrell West 3T, Anthony Adams 3T, Montre Brown 3T, Kenton Bartlett 3T-PBU, Jared Reed 3T-2PBU, Sam Bodine 2T, Nicolas Ah Sam 2T-1SK-1PBU, Cody Brown 2T-1SK, Boogie Davis 2T, Markus Sullivan 2T, Houston Barnes 1T, Steffen Jacobsen 2T, Jake Porter 2T, Dallas House 1T, Benton Hoge 1T, Braxton Winterton 1T, Larry Ross, 1SK, Robert Holt 1T, Maxwell Howell 1T