Game 11
Weber State Wildcats (5-4, 4-2)
at
Portland State Vikings (5-5, 3-3)
Saturday, November 12 ?€˘ 3:05 p.m. ?€˘ PGE Park, Portland, OR (20,000)
TELEVISION: None
RADIO: KPOJ 620 AM (Portland), and www.620kpoj.com
Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt
Analyst: Mike Lund
Sidelines: Jason Swygard
Pregame Show: 2 p.m.
Kickoff: 3:05 p.m.
THE SERIES RECORD
All-Time: Weber State leads 15-10 ?€˘ PSU leads at Portland 7-5 ?€˘ WSU leads at Ogden 10-3
Big Sky: WSU leads 5-4 ?€˘ The series is tied at Portland 2-2 ?€˘ WSU leads at Ogden 3-2
1964: PSU 18-10 @ Portland
1965: WSU 74-6 @ Ogden
1966: WSU 51-6 @ Portland
1967: WSU 40-21 @ Ogden
1968: WSU 28-12 @ Portland
1970: PSU 46-14 @ Portland
1971: WSU 54-26 @ Ogden
1977: WSU 40-22 @ Ogden
1979: PSU 16-13 @ Ogden
1980: PSU 75-0 @ Portland
1981: WSU 31-16 @ Ogden
1982: WSU 20-6 @ Portland
1983: WSU 37-13 @ Ogden
1984: PSU 27-24 @ Portland
1985: WSU 45-24 @ Ogden
1986: PSU 27-22 @ Portland
1996: WSU 35-10 @ Portland
1997: WSU 16-7 @ Ogden
1998: PSU 34-27 @ Portland
1999: PSU 31-14 @ Ogden
2000: WSU 41-9 @ Ogden
2001: PSU 65-43 @ Portland
2002: WSU 20-14 @ Ogden
2003: WSU 45-21 @ Portland
2004: PSU 34-15 @ Ogden
STREAKS
?€˘ Portland State is 4-0 at home this year and has won seven straight overall at home.
?€˘ The Vikings are 31-8 at home since the start of the 1999 season.
PSU?€™s last home win: 10/22/05 vs. Northern Arizona, 45-0.
PSU?€™s last home loss: 10/2/04 vs. Eastern Washington, 41-21
?€˘ Weber State is 1-3 on the road this season
?€˘ The Wildcats have won three straight games overall.
WSU?€™s last road win: 10/22/05 @ Eastern Washington, 28-23
WSU?€™s last road loss: 10/1/05 @ Montana, 24-19
STORYLINE
The secret to Viking success against Weber State over the years appears to be the running game. In 2004, PSU rushed for 302 yards and four TDs. Ryan Fuqua and Joe Rubin both went over 100 yards in a relatively easy 34-15 win in Ogden. The prior year, the Vikings went for just 34 rushing yards on 27 carries, and were thumped by the Wildcats in Portland, 45-21. Just 20 PSU rushing yards in 2003 meant a 20-14 loss to WSU. Back in 2002, PSU rushed for 302 yards, and won 65-42... big scores are common as well: the Wildcats set a school record in scoring 74 points against the Vikings in 1965... Neil Lomax-led PSU posted 75 points in a shutout over WSU in 1980.
LAST YEAR
Portland State rolled up a 21-3 halftime lead behind a strong running game, and coasted to a 34-15 win in Ogden. Both Ryan Fuqua (21-168-1) and Joe Rubin (25-119-1) had big days as the Vikings totaled 302 yards on the ground. When the Vikings had to pass, Joe Wiser was effective as well, completing 9-12 for 134 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the Vikings shut down Wildcats?€™ back Nick Chournos, as he gained just 42 yards. The win ended a two-game losing streak in Ogden for the Vikings.
GAME PREVIEW
Following a loss at Idaho State last Saturday, the Portland State football team must now play for a winning season, their seniors and pride this Saturday when it hosts Weber State. The Vikings and the Wildcats will square off at PGE Park in a 3:05 p.m. kickoff.
PSU is 5-5 on the season, 3-3 in Big Sky Conference games, after losing at ISU, 36-34, on a last-second kick. JR K Eric Azorr had given PSU a 34-33 lead with 23 seconds to play on a 42-yard field goal. But, the Bengals came back to complete two passes and get a pass interference call, setting up Jaret Johnson for the game-winner from 54 yards with one second to play.
The loss leaves the Vikings at 5-3 against 1-AA teams, and with one game to play, prevents them from getting the seven 1-AA wins they would need to be considered for the NCAA 1-AA playoffs.
Meanwhile, Weber State is 5-4 on the season - a major turnaround from last year?€™s 1-10. Even more impressive, at 4-2 in the Big Sky, WSU is just a few points away from being undefeated. The Wildcats have suffered a 24-19 loss at Montana, and a 27-24 loss to Montana State on a final-play field goal. Portland State can play the spoiler, as WSU still has a shot at a share of the Big Sky Conference Championship.
WHERE THEY STAND
Now at 5-5, 3-3 in the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings are out of any consideration for a post-season berth in the NCAA 1-AA playoffs. It has been a tough schedule for the Vikings, who played six of their first 10 games on the road - two against 1-A teams, and three against teams that are ranked in the top 25 at the 1-AA level. The Vikings finished 1-5 on the road, losing the last four straight - three of which they led entering the fourth period. It all amounts to PSU playing very well, but not quite well enough for a big year.
This Saturday the Vikings still have a lot on the line, as they play for a winning season - which would be their sixth in seven seasons. PSU can also finish with a winning Big Sky Conference record that would match last year?€™s 4-3.
Finally, the Vikings will honor their 19 seniors on Senior Day in an attempt to send them out on a winning note.
VIKING SENIORS PLAYING IN THEIR FINAL GAME
Portland State will have 19 seniors playing in their final home game this Saturday against Weber State. Ten are on offense, including six starters, and nine are on defense, including five starters. However, Portland State will petition the NCAA for extra years of eligibility for Adam Hayward, who has only competed three seasons collegiately (two at Colorado State and one at Portland State), and Noah Wright, who has twice had season-ending injuries in three seasons at Portland State.
No. Name Pos.
1 Shaun Bodiford WR
4 Nic Costa WR
5 Allen Kennett FB
8 Steve Shinen SS
10 Wyman Stewart CB
15 Russell Schneider QB
20 Adam Hayward DE
23 Joe Rubin RB
24 Joey King LB
29 Scott Weaver TE
34 Bobby Brush FB/LS
48 Byron Woods LB
49 Jamal Abdullah FS
57 Ryan Friesen DE
58 George Quijano LB
61 Antonio Narcisse OL
77 Adrian Limbrick OL
84 Adam Whitehead TE
92 Noah Wright DE
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Weber State has made a remarkable turnaround under first-year Head Coach Ron McBride in 2005. The Wildcats had the worst season in school in history in 2004 at 1-10, but have bounced back to go 5-4 through the first nine games of this season. At 4-2 in the Big Sky Conference, WSU is still in the race for a share of the Big Sky Conference title.
The Wildcats have performed well on offense, averaging 409 total yards per game to rank second in the BSC.
Quarterback Ian Pizarro has tossed 16 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions, while averaging nearly 234 yards per game. He has three wideouts who have made the bulk of the catches in Lynzell Jackson (33-566-5), Terry Larsen (33-556-4) and Wiley King (31-492-4).
The running game has also been effective as Zach Hall has carried 161 times for 794 yards and nine touchdowns. WSU averages 172.0 yards on the ground, third-best in the Big Sky.
Buck Buchanan Award candidate Brady Fosmark has been outstanding again from his defensive end position. Fosmark has 49 tackles, and team-highs of 11.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Shane Barkdull has five sacks and forced a Big Sky-leading three fumbles. Tyler DeBry leads the team with 67 tackles overall.
Weber State is giving up just 337 yards per game, which is third-best in the conference. The Wildcats have forced 17 turnovers while commiting just 13.
Kicker Joe Johnson has made 11 of 19 field goals, including one from 52 yards. One area of weakness on special teams has been punt coverage, where the Wildcats allow 18.7 yards per return and have given up three touchdowns.
COACH WALSH SAYS
ON THE LOSS TO IDAHO STATE: ?€œWe played a really good second half and bounced back to give ourselves a chance to win, but the blocked punt early in the game was a huge part of it and really set us back. Still, we had other plays we could have made. We made a lot of big plays in the second half, but came up one play short. I?€™m really proud of the effort the team gave, I?€™m just not sure the execution was always the best.?€ť
?€œSawyer Smith and the offensive line did a great job of getting us back into it in the second half.?€ť
ON THIS WEEK?€™S GAME WITH WEBER STATE: ?€œThis game could be the difference between tying for second or third place, or possibly being in sixth place, so we have a lot of desire to get a win. If we play like we did in the second half against Idaho State, we will have a great chance to win the game. We need to play a good, emotional final game to end our season well.?€ť
?€œThis is a very good Weber State team with a chance to get a share of the Big Sky championship. They have gotten better every week and won their last three in a row, including a game at Eastern Washington. The key will be stopping the run and not letting their fast receivers make big plays.?€ť
GAME-WEEK ACTIVITIES
?€˘ Every Thursday night, Viking Sports Talk will be broadcast on 620 AM KPOJ from 7 to 8 p.m. Tom Hewitt hosts the live event at The City Sportsbar and Restaurant (424 SW 4th Ave.). Tim Walsh will preview and review games. 1-AA football expert Otto Fad will be a weekly guest along with other PSU Coaches. Fans are welcome to attend the smoke-free, family-friendly environment.
?€˘ Portland State?€™s Urban Tailgating Experience takes place before every home game in front of the Kingston Bar and Grill, at SW Morrison between 20th and 21st. It starts two hours prior to each game.
?€˘ The Kids Fun Zone will take place at every home game on the field. Numerous sports-related activities and inflatibles will be available for play. The Kids Fun Zone is sponsored by Portland Party Works.
?€˘ Fireworks will take place at the end of halftime.
QUICK SNAPS
WINS AND LOSSES
Portland State finishes its road season at 1-5, including losses in its last four road games... the Vikings have lost their last two games in a row... PSU plays for a sixth win on Saturday, and a sixth winning season in its last seven... PSU is 31-8 at home since the start of the 1999 season. The Vikings have won seven straight home games... in 10 seasons as a 1-AA competitor and member of the Big Sky Conference, PSU is now 57-53... the Vikings are 45-32 since the start of the 1999 season, including 27-23 in Big Sky Conference games.
BIG KICKS
JR K Eric Azorr had a chance to be a hero for the second time this season when he hit a 42-yard field goal with 23 seconds left at Idaho State. That gave the Vikings a 34-33 lead. However, ISU?€™s Jaret Johnson made a career-long 54-yard field goal with one second left in the game to win it for the Bengals, 36-34. ISU used two completed passes and a pass interference penalty to get into field goal position... tough luck for Azorr, who also hit a season-best 45-yard field goal in the first half... Azorr made a 40-yard field goal on the final play of the game to beat Montana State 44-41 on Oct. 15... for the year, Azorr is 6-11 on field goals, including 4-6 on kicks 40 yards and longer.
FOURTH QUARTER FOIBLES
Portland State has led three opponents on the road heading into the fourth period of the games this season only to take a loss. Twice, against Eastern Washington and Idaho State, the opponent scored a touchdown on the first play of the fourth period to take a lead... PSU led the Eagles, 24-21, in Cheney as the fourth period began, but lost 42-24... the Vikings led Boise State, 14-13, going into the fourth quarter at Boise, but lost, 21-14... and last Saturday, PSU was ahead 24-21 over Idaho State in Pocatello, but fell, 36-34.
INJURIES HURT
Portland State played against Idaho State without two starting offensive linemen and, for most of the game, without its top defensive lineman in a game decided in the closing seconds by two points. That just added to the disappointment of a game the Vikings had a great chance to win. JR LT Steve Blatchley did not play again due to a sprained ankle, and SR RT Adrian Limbrick missed his first game due to a knee injury. SO OL Daren Heerspink got his first career start at RT and played well... the pass rushing abilities of SR DE Ryan Friesen were definitely missed. Friesen missed his first start of the year and managed to play about 15 plays overall due to a hand injury. Friesen, the Vikings?€™ leading sack man, had surgery on his right hand on Thursday to repair a torn ligament. He was not expected to play, but suited up and still managed two tackles.
SMITH HITS HIS STRIDE
It wasn?€™t a perfect night, but it was a very good one for JR QB Sawyer Smith. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions against Idaho State. More importantly, he led his team back from a 21-7 deficit to a 24-21 lead. As the lead changed hands six times in the last 18 minutes of the game, Smith got the Vikings the lead back two more times... in the last four weeks, Smith has played very well, completing 70 of 113 passes (62%) for 896 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception.
TACKLING TOTALS
JR FS Charles Manigo had a career-high 10 tackles to lead the Portland State defense against Idaho State... JR LB DJ Robinson and SR LB George Quijano each had eight tackles. Quijano has a team-high 68 tackles this season.. the Vikings forced one turnover, recovered by SR LS Bobby Brush following a punt.
PSU OFFENSE BATTLES THE BIG SKY?€™S BEST DEFENSE
Portland State churned out 345 yards of offense, without a turnover, against the Big Sky?€™s best defense in Idaho State. The Bengals were allowing just 322 yards per game, including just 96 on the ground... SR WR Shaun Bodiford caught eight passes in the game for 90 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown reception. Bodiford added two carries for 14 yards, and returned two kickoffs for 29 yards... SR RB Joe Rubin rushed 34 times for 113 yards and the Bengals defense were able to contain him for the most part. Rubin came out of the game twice with injuries. However, the Vikings totaled 144 yards on the ground overall. Rubin had two touchdowns rushing and now has 14 on the season.
WEAVER?€™S DREAM
After four seasons, 40 games, and a role as a starter this year, SR TE Scott Weaver finally had a dream come true; he got into the endzone. Weaver scored a key touchdown in the third period against Idaho State on a fourth-and-goal play at the one-yard line. His reception of a Sawyer Smith pass was the first touchdown of his four-year career. Weaver has 13 receptions this year and 22 in his career.
ALL-PURPOSE SHAUN
SR WR Shaun Bodiford played a big role once again for the Vikings, totaling 133 all-purpose yards (90 receiving, 14 rushing, 29 on kick returns)... Bodiford leads the team with 50 receptions for 541 yards and five touchdowns. His 50 catches are the most by a Viking since Terry Charles caught 71 passes in 2001... Bodiford has 12 rushing plays for 77 yards and one touchdown, and 28 kick returns for 706 yards, which is a new PSU season record. He is also two returns short of the school record (30).
ALL-AROUND ALLEN
SR FB Allen Kennett proved his abilities in 2004 when he was named first team All-Big Sky Conference and PSU Team co-MVP... the credit given has come from his powerful blocking ability at 5-10, 240 pounds, as the Vikings have led the Big Sky in both rushing and fewest sacks allowed the last two years... this season, Kennett has been every bit as good, if not better. He has 27 carries for 134 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 24 receptions for 263 yards and four touchdowns. All the while, he has blocked for SR RB Joe Rubin who has ranked near the top in the nation in rushing all year... in two seasons, Kennett has 72 carries for 303 yards (4.2) and 13 touchdowns and 45 receptions for 501 yards (11.2) and five touchdowns. With 18 touchdowns on 117 touches, he averages one scoring play for every 6.5 times he handles the ball.
RUBIN GETS BACK IN THE RECORD BOOK
SR RB Joe Rubin set a new Portland State record and tied another in the Vikings?€™ 36-34 loss at Idaho State. With 34 carries, Rubin now has 309 carries on the season, breaking Ryan Fuqua?€™s mark of 305 (2002). Rubin also rushed for more than 100 yards for the ninth time this season, tying PSU?€™s all-time leading rusher Charles Dunn for most 100-yard games. Rubin will have a chance to establish a new record in the season finale... Rubin carried the ball 34 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns against the league?€™s top rushing defense. He now has 309 carries for 1,493 yards, which ranks fourth on PSU?€™s all-time season list... Rubin is averaging 149.3 yards per game to lead the Big Sky Conference and rank third in the nation. His 14 rushing touchdowns ties for 10th on PSU?€™s all-time list and are the most by a Viking since Ryan Fuqua had 15 in 2001... Rubin is one of 16 players being considered for the Payton Award, which recognizes the NCAA 1-AA?€™s player of the year... Rubin gained national attention in September when he posted a 356-yard, five-touchdown game in a 41-17 win over Northern Colorado. He was a consensus National Offensive Player of the Week for that performance... one aspect of Rubin?€™s season that is particularly impressive is that two of PSU?€™s games have come against 1-A opponents - Oregon State and Boise State. He was over 100 yards in both games as he combined for 53 carries for 264 yards... The Walter Payton Award is the NCAA 1-AA equivalent of the NCAA 1-A Heisman Trophy. Rubin is the fourth Portland State football player to be included on the Payton Watch List in the past six years. They have included QB Jimmy Blanchard (1999 - 5th in balloting - and 2000 ?€“ 12th), Charles ?€œChip?€ť Dunn (2000 ?€“ 4th), and Ryan Fuqua (2002, 2003)... Rubin is the eighth different rusher to gain 1,000 yards in a season in PSU history. It marks the 15th time a PSU back has rushed for 1,000 yards. Ten of those 15 seasons have come in the 13 years that Tim Walsh has been head coach at Portland State... Rubin now has 2,779 career rushing yards to rank fourth all-time at PSU... Curtis Delgardo is third at 4,178 yards, Ryan Fuqua totaled 4,730 yards, and Dunn went for 6,007 yards.
200 HITS
SR LB Joey King had seven tackles against Idaho State, increasing his career total to 240 hits. He is one of two Vikings to pass 200 tackles this year... SR FS Jamal Abdullah made one stop against ISU and has 235 tackles in his career. Abdullah is in his fourth season with the Vikings and has started more games than any current player (33). His 42 career games played trails only SR LS Bobby Brush and SR TE Adam Whitehead (43).
IT?€™S FRIESEN OUT THERE
SR DE Ryan Friesen did not get the start for the first time this season against Idaho State. The reason? He had surgery on his right hand on Thursday to repair a torn ligament. The injury occured in the loss to Montana, when Friesen also had his hand cut open between the pinkie and ring finger. That injury was stitched up and Friesen continued against the Grizzlies. His surgery last week left him doubtful to play, by he still got in for about 15 plays and made two tackles... Friesen has had a stellar senior season since making the transition from backup linebacker to starting defensive end in the off-season. He has team-highs of 12.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and four pass breakups this year. The last time a Viking had more tackles for loss or sacks was DeAngelo Hunter in 2000 (15 and 9).
IT?€™S FER-EEN-YO
Usually when you see a guy in green with the last name Ferrigno, you think ?€œIncredible Hulk.?€ť That is NOT the case at Portland State, as JR WR Brendan Ferrigno (pronounced fer-EEN-yo) stands just 5-10 and 180 pounds. But, there is a lot of football player packed into that Viking uniform, as Ferrigno is already PSU?€™s all-time leading punt returner and he set another punt return record at Eastern Washington as he returned a punt a school-record 91 yards for touchdown. Ferrigno holds the PSU marks for career (768), season (311), and single punt return yards (91). Ferrigno has 259 punt return yards this year, and averages 15.2 per return to lead the Big Sky Conference and rank ninth in the nation... Ferrigno has 25 catches for 348 yards and three touchdowns.
BIG SKY LEADERS
Portland State once again leads the Big Sky Conference in rushing (175.5 yards per game) and kickoff returns (22.8) as well as fourth-down conversion percentage (10-16, .625) and fewest sacks allowed (9)... SR RB Joe Rubin leads the Big Sky in rushing (148.7) and all-purpose yards (156.6)... JR WR Brendan Ferrigno leads the Big Sky in punt returns (15.2).
