GAME 9
PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (2-6, 2-3) vs. #4 MONTANA GRIZZLIES (8-0, 5-0)
Saturday, Nov. 3, 11:05 a.m. PT, Washington-Grizzly Stadium (23,183), Missoula, MT
TELEVISION: Comcast SportsNet Northwest, channel 37 ? Kickoff: 11 a.m. PT (Noon MT)
RADIO: AM 910 KTRO, and www.am910ktro.com ? Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt ? Analyst: Mike Lund ? Pregame Show: 10 a.m. PT ? Kickoff: 11:05 a.m. PT
INTERNET: Live video stream (for a fee) with radio broadcast at www.bigskytv.org. ? Live stats will be available at montanagrizzlies.com
THE SERIES RECORD
All-Time Series: Montana leads 23-11 ? Montana leads in Portland 11-8 ? Montana leads in Missoula 12-3
Big Sky Series: Montana leads 9-2 ? Montana leads 5-0 in Missoula ? Montana leads 4-2 in Portland
Big Sky Conference games
1996: UM 63-6 @ Missoula
1997: UM 37-7 @ Portland
1998: UM 20-17 @ Missoula
1999: PSU 51-48 @ Portland (OT)
2000: UM 33-21 @ Portland
2001: UM 33-13 @ Missoula
2002: UM 24-21 @ Portland
2003: UM 42-14 @ Missoula
2004: PSU 35-32 @ Portland
2005: UM 37-16 @ Missoula
2006: UM 26-20 @ Portland
STREAKS
? Portland State has lost three straight games
? The Vikings have lost six straight in Montana, including five Big Sky games
PSU's last road win: 9/22/07 @ Eastern Washington, 28-21
PSU's last road loss: 10/20/07 @ Idaho State, 38-20
? Montana is 6-0 at home this season and has won eight straight games
? The Grizzlies have won two in a row, six of seven and 10 of 12 against the Vikings
UM's last home win: 10/20/07 vs. Northern Colorado, 52-7
UM's last home loss: 12/8/06 vs. Massachusetts, 19-17 (NCAA semifinal)
STORYLINE
Portland State has beaten Montana twice in its 11 seasons as a member of the Big Sky Conference. Both wins have come at PGE Park. The Vikings are 0-5 in Missoula in Big Sky games, losing 37-16 at Montana in 2005... Montana has won outright or shared the last nine Big Sky Conference titles, and 12 of the last 14... the Grizzlies have been nationally-ranked every season the Vikings have played them in Big Sky competition. The Vikings were nationally-ranked four times.
LAST YEAR
The fourth-ranked Grizzlies defeated the 14th-ranked Vikings 26-20 in front of 13,156 at PGE Park last year. The game featured nine turnovers, including five by PSU, and ended a nine-game home winning streak for Portland State. PSU trailed 23-10 in the fourth period, but got a safety by CJ Niusulu, then an 80-yard kickoff return for touchdown by Kenneth Mackins on the ensuing free kick. A two-point conversion made it 23-20 with 7:56 to play. But the Grizzlies tacked on a late field goal and held on for the win. Montana outgained PSU, 369-246. It was also Brian White's debut with the Vikings. He was 7-16 for 142 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a relief effort.
VIKINGS WILL TRY TO END MISSOULA DROUGHT
The Portland State Vikings go to Missoula, MT this Saturday to face the fourth-ranked Montana Grizzlies. The Vikings hope to end a losing drought in the Big Sky state that includes all five Big Sky Conference games played there, and six losses in a row dating to the 1980s.
Following a third straight loss last Saturday, Portland State (2-6, 2-3) is now looking for something to be a keynote to the season. A win over first-place Montana (8-0, 5-0) would certainly fit that bill. Montana is the third nationally-ranked opponent for the Vikings this year. PSU lost to #10 McNeese State and defeated #21 Eastern Washington earlier this season.
Saturday's game in Missoula kicks off at 12:05 Mountain Time, 11:05 Pacific. It will be televised in Portland on the new Comcast SportsNet Northwest, channel 37.
Montana brings a tradition of excellence to Saturday's game. This season has been no exception as the Grizzlies have gone undefeated thus far and have a two-game lead in the loss column in the Big Sky standings. Montana has won or shared nine straight Big Sky titles and 12 of the last 14. The Grizzlies won national championships in 1995 and 2001, and were finalists in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
Portland State has never won a Big Sky game at Washington-Grizzly Stadium (0-5), and is 2-9 all-time against Montana in Big Sky games.
PSU's last win in Missoula was a 20-3 victory in 1987. That season, the Vikings went on to play in the NCAA II national championship game.
THE STATISTICIANS ARE STILL TOWELING OFF... DREW HUBEL NAMED BIG SKY AND NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Those who saw last Saturday's Big Sky Conference game at PGE Park saw nothing less than the highest scoring NCAA game in history. That's right... in history. Despite the Vikings losing 73-68 to Weber State, it was a remarkable night all around, as Viking quarterback Drew Hubel passed for an NCAA I FCS record-tying nine touchdowns. Hubel was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week and The Sports Network and College Sporting News National Player of the Week as a result.
Hubel was the biggest star in a night that had a galaxy of stars. The true freshman from Corvallis was making his first career start and playing in just his third game. His performance is hard to put too big an exclamation on, but we'll try. Hubel merely completed 35 of 56 passes for 485 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions. That's right... nine touchdowns to tie the NCAA I FCS record first set by Willie Totten of Mississippi Valley State in 1984 (and, of course, break the Portland State (8) and Big Sky (7) record for TD passes in a game).
Hubel's total of 485 yards ranks as fifth-highest in a single game in PSU history. He entered the contest just 13-17 for 111 yards and one touchdown in two mop-up appearances this season.
Hubel and Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins shared Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week honors. Higgins completed 22 of 36 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
The 141-point game broke the previous mark of 136 set by Boise State and Nevada on Oct. 14 of this year. However, that game took four overtimes for BSU to win, 69-67. The FCS mark was 125 points, a 64-61 Sacramento State win over Cal State Northridge in 2000.
The total of 20 touchdowns in the game also broke the record of 19 set in the Oct. 14 games. PSU and Weber State scored 10 touchdowns each.
The game began innocently enough with just 10 points scored in the first period as Portland State held at 7-3 lead. But the Wildcats exploded for 35 points in the second period. In fact, 55 total points were scored in the period. At one point, PSU scored three touchdowns in the span of 2:02 game time.
There were 1,189 yards of offense in the game, which was actually short of the total in a previous PSU/WSU game. In 2001, the Vikings beat Weber State 65-43 in a game featuring 1,264 yards of offense. That was the previous highest scoring game by two teams combined in PSU history.
Other stars from Saturday's touchdown-fest:
SR WR Tremayne Kirkland, 13 receptions, 177 yards, 4 touchdowns
SR WR David Lewis, 8 receptions, 114 yards, 4 touchdowns
SR LB Jordan Senn, 16 tackles
JR LB Andy Schantz, 14 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, forced fumble and 84-yard fumble return for TD
For Weber State:
QB Cameron Higgins, 22-36-2-334-4TD, 9-106-3 rushing
RB Trevyn Smith, 38-225-1
WR Mike Phillips, 8-131-2
WR Bryant Eteuati, 341 all-purpose yards
Northern Colorado cornerback Quincy Wofford is the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week. Northern Colorado kicker Zak Bigelow and Weber State returner Bryant Eteuati are the Co-Special Teams Players of the Week.
SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES
Montana will play its seventh and final regular season home game this week against the Vikings. The Grizzlies are 6-0 at home this year, 8-0 overall and ranked fourth in the nation.
Montana brings a unique challenge to a team that just scored 68 points last Saturday. The Grizzlies are the nation's leader in scoring defense (11.25), while leading the Big Sky Conference in total defense (326.0 yards allowed per game), pass defense (206.63) and pass efficency defense (100.1 rating). Montana has forced 19 turnovers, including eight interceptions, through eight games.
Buck Buchanan Award candidate Kroy Biermann leads that stout defense, having made 13 sacks this year. Biermann, a defensive end, has a total of 49 tackles and five forced fumbles. Biermann is the Big Sky's sack and tackles for loss (14.5) leader. He is second in the nation in sacks.
Linebacker Tyler Joyce has a team-high 74 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. Loren Utterback, also a linebacker, has 63 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss.
The Grizzlies also lead the Big Sky Conference in scoring offense at 31.6 points per game. Montana has good balance with 189.4 yards rushing and 218.0 yards passing per game.
Running back Lex Hilliard ranks third in the Big Sky with 716 yards rushing and a Big Sky-best 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Cole Berquist has 319 yards rushing and has thrown for 1,550 yards this year. Bergquist has thrown 13 touchdowns while being intercepted just four times.
Wide receivers Ryan Bagley and Mike Ferriter have virtually identical statistics. Bagley has 35 receptions for 447 yards and six touchdowns. Ferriter has 35 catches for 446 yards and two touchdowns. The third receiver, Eric Allen has 16 receptions and four touchdowns.
Punter Tyson Johnson is the Big Sky's best with a 43.5 yard average. The Grizzlies coverage is also the best as the team's net punting of 40.0 ranks second in the nation.
Dan Carpenter was an AP first team All-American kicker in 2006. He has fared just as well this season, converting 10 of 12 field goals, including a 54- and 50-yarder. Carpenter has made 66 of 92 field goals in his UM career.
GAME WEEK ACTIVITIES
? Viking Sports Luncheons: Portland State Athletics will host the Viking Sports Luncheon sponsored by West Coast Bank at Old Spaghetti Factory, every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. The luncheon takes place at the Old Spaghetti Factory location on 0715 SW Bancroft in Portland. It is an opportunity to meet Jerry Glanville and see him break down plays on video from each week's game. Cost is $10.
? Viking Pregame Show: For all Portland State football games, the Viking Pregame Show will be one hour prior to kickoff. You can listen to the pregame show and the game on AM 910 KTRO and www.am910ktro.com.
VIKINGS ON TELEVISION
Saturday's game at Montana will mark the debut of Portland State Athletics on the new Comcast SportsNet Northwest cable station in Portland. Located at channel 37 on Comcast, CSN will broadcast numerous PSU games and features in the future.
CSN will be running the Montana football broadcast on KPAX in Montana, with the game scheduled for 11 a.m. in Portland.
On Thursday, CSN's first day on the air, a Jerry Glanville feature will run at 9 p.m. on the network. It will be rerun at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, just prior to the Viking game.
The Nov. 10 home game against Montana State will be broadcast on CSN on a tape-delay basis. It will air at 10 p.m. that evening, a few hours after the conclusion of the game. CSN will pick up the Max Media broadcast from Montana, MSU's home network.
QUICK SNAPS
WINS AND LOSSES
Portland State lost its' third straight game and has its longest losing streak since losing four straight at the end of the 2003 season... the 73-68 loss to Weber State ended a three-game winning streak over the Wildcats... at 2-6 on the season, the Vikings are now guaranteed just their second losing season in the last nine years. The Vikings were 4-7 in 2003. The last time PSU was 2-6 was 1996... the Vikings are 1-3 on the road this year... the Vikings are 44-44 all-time in Big Sky games... PSU has lost two in a row to Montana.
NEW LOOK VIKINGS
With new coaches, a new offense, a new defense and a lot of injuries in 2007, Portland State has seen a lot of new players in its starting lineup. In fact, the Vikings have now had 27 players make their first career start at PSU this year. Here is the rundown:
? Game 1 at McNeese State, on offense: QB Tygue Howland, WRs David Lewis, Matt Bramow and Reggie Joseph, and OLs Andrew Havili and Clayton Rios. On defense: DE Josh Evans, LBs Andy Schantz and KJ McCrae, FS Benny Schenk and CBs Jordan Brown and Condrew Allen. On special teams: K Chris Chalmers, P Danny Urrego.
? Game 2 vs. UC Davis: QB Brian White, LG Moses Punzal, WR Tristan Patin and FB Olaniyi Sobomehin.
? Game 3 vs. Sacramento State: SO WR Matt Smith and JR CB Adarrious Ross.
? Game 4 at San Diego State: FR LB Ryan Pederson.
? Game 5 at Eastern Washington: SR LB Christian Carlson, JR CB Stanley Jackson and SO WR Mario D'Ambrosio.
? Game 6 vs. Northern Arizona: None, although SO CB Tristan Patin started his first game on defense. He had started an earlier game at WR.
? Game 7 at Idaho State: SR DT Philip Humphrey and SR FS Damion Porter.
? Game 8 vs. Weber State: FR QB Drew Hubel and FR FS Jake Fetzer.
AT ODDS WITH THEMSELVES
The stats are strange to say the least: Portland State ranks first in the nation in passing and 115th in rushing; the Vikings are 33rd in scoring offense and 114th in scoring defense; the Vikings are 17th in total offense and 105th in total defense.
RUN-AND-SHOOT NOTES
NO SURPRISE HERE
The Run-and-Shoot offense puts up big numbers, and the Vikings have done so this year. Portland State leads the Big Sky Conference and the nation in passing at 361.6 yards per game. The Vikings have thrown for 2,893 yards in eight games. That total is already the most since PSU had 3,200 passing yards in 2001.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
True freshman Drew Hubel would probably win a Rookie of the Year Award for the Portland State football team even if he doesn't throw another pass for the rest of the season. In his first career start on Saturday against Weber State, Hubel put together one of the best days a quarterback has ever had, at any level. Hubel completed 35 of 56 passes (62.5%) for 485 yards and nine touchdowns. His nine scores tied the NCAA I FCS record established by Willie Totten at Mississippi Valley State in 1984... Hubel entered the game having played in just two series in two mop-up appearances this year. He showed signs of his ability completing 13 of 17 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown... in his three games played, Hubel is 48-73 for 596 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.
PASSING FANCY
Before missing last Saturday's game against Weber State, SR QB Brian White was having a big year with the Vikings. White has 2,171 yards passing and has completed 62.9% of his passes through seven games. He has already thrown for more yards than any Viking QB since 2003 (Joe Wiser, 2,497 yards)... White has four 300-yard games and two 400-yard games. Only four PSU quarterbacks have ever had as many as two 400-yard games in a season, and only two (Neil Lomax and June Jones) have more than two in a season... remarkably, White's 442-yard passing game against NAU ranks only 19th on PSU's all-time list. His 408-yard game against San Diego State ranks just 27th.
White, a senior from Mission Viejo, CA, has been named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week twice. Both times it occured after leading the Vikings to come-from-behind wins. He completed 26 of 37 passes for 363 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a Sept. 15 win over Sacramento State. He also scored on a two-yard run in the second quarter. White's 42-yard TD pass to Tremayne Kirkland with 2:06 remaining in the fourth quarter gave the Vikings the lead for good at 28-24. PSU had trailed 24-14 in the third period.
On Sept. 29 at Eastern Washington, White led the Vikings to a victory over the 21st-ranked Eastern Washington Eagles. White completed 29 of 47 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed seven times for 50 yards in leading PSU to the 28-21 win.
TK IS BETTER THAN OK
After missing the game at Eastern Washington with a groin injury on Sept. 29, SR WR Tremayne Kirkland has performed brilliantly. In his last three games, Kirkland has 33 receptions for 486 yards and five touchdowns. He comes off a 13-catch, 177-yard, four touchdown performance against Weber State last Saturday. The 13 catches rank sixth all-time for a single game at Portland State... TK set career highs with 14 receptions and 225 receiving yards against Northern Arizona on Oct. 6, catching a 38-yard fourth quarter touchdown. Kirkland also rushed four times for 20 yards with an 11-yard first-period TD run. His 14 receptions were the third most in school history (record: 16 by Stuart Gaussoin in 1979). The 225 yards was the sixth-most in school history (record: 276 by Terry Charles in 1999), and the first 200-yard game in eight years... with 55 receptions for 715 yards and six touchdowns, Kirkland is the Vikings' leading receiver this season... Kirkland's 13 career receiving touchdowns ranks 13th in school history. He also has 1,248 receivinig yards on 93 career catches... this season, he ranks fifth in the nation in receptions per game (7.9), and seventh in yards per game (102.1).
SCORING MACHINE
SR FB Olaniyi Sobomehin has been the Vikings' scoring machine as he leads the team with nine touchdowns despite not scoring in the last two games... “Nee” has been brilliant for the Vikings since taking over late in the first game after a knee injury to SO Bobby McClintock. Sobomehin leads the team in rushing with 105 carries for 505 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks second on the team with 34 receptions for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
BIG PLAY MACK
SR WR Kenneth Mackins has nine career touchdowns, including four this season. His average scoring play is a remarkable 45.3 yards (80 kickoff return, 46, 13, 43, 89, 49, 23, 44 and 21 receptions)... Mackins continues to roll up the all-purpose yards and leads the team with 883 yards in seven games played for a 126.1 yard average... Mackins has 1,095 career receiving yards on 63 receptions.
3-4 NOTES
JORDAN RULES
Another game, another 16 tackles for SR LB Jordan Senn against Weber State. The Viking leader now has 96 tackles this season to go with two interceptions... Senn led the team in tackles for the seventh time in eight games... Senn ranks second in the conference and sixth in the nation in tackles... Senn also has four tackles for loss, a sack, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery this year... Senn has six 10-tackle games this year, 11 in his career, and has led the team in tackles 11 times in his career... earlier this year, Senn earned Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors. He had 11 tackles, and a 76-yard interception return for touchdown late in the Vikings' 35-24 win over Sacramento State... Senn now has 289 career tackles to rank eighth all-time at Portland State.
HANDY ANDY
SR LB Andy Schantz has become this season's medical miracle for the Vikings. On Oct. 20, he returned to the starting lineup against Idaho State. That came after tearing his left MCL on Sept. 22 at San Diego State - a span of just four weeks. Schantz did not have surgery on the knee; he just underwent a rehabilitation program. The second-leading tackler on the team when he went down with the knee injury, Schantz played virtually every down against Idaho State, making seven tackles and two sacks. Schantz followed that game up with a season-high 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an 84-yard fumble return for touchdown in the fourth quarter.
CASEY AT THE TACKLE
SR DE Casey Tyler established a new career-high for tackles for the third time this year, making eight against Weber State. He also had 1.5 tackles for loss... a third-year starter, Tyler has a career-high 38 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal.
WHAT BROWN CAN'T DO FOR YOU
SO CB Jordan Brown has been a solid starter this year for the Vikings. Unfortunately, he is likely lost for the season after injuring his knee against Weber State. Brown has 36 tackles, a team-high six pass breakups, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick this year. He is tied with the other Jordan - Senn - with a team-high three takeaways.
VERY SPECIAL TEAMS
SUPER MARIO
SO WR Mario D'Ambrosio continues to play a more significant role with the Vikings this season. He has one start at wide receiver and nine receptions this year. But a big kick returning day, which included a 65-yarder against Weber State, now has D'Ambrosio leading the Big Sky Conference with a 29.0 average.
GIVE ME A U
JR P/K Danny Urrego has performed well doing double duty. Urrego averages 40.6 yards per punt and is 4-4 on field goals (47, 40, 22, 19) this year.
STONE COLD
JR LS Scott Stone missed two games after going down with a meniscus tear in his knee at San Diego State on Sept. 22. Stone had arthroscopic surgery three days later and returned to the lineup three-and-a-half weeks later at Idaho State. He has snapped well the past two games.
BLOCK PARTY
Blocked kicks, a trademark of Jerry Glanville's teams over the years, are also a part of PSU football in 2007. Although the Vikings have not blocked any punts on five bad punt snaps by opponents this year (they do have two safeties), PSU does have three blocked field goal attempts and one blocked extra point. The most recent was a blocked field goal by Micheal Dorsey against Northern Arizona.
