complete game notes and stats in pdf

GAME 11
PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (2-8, 1-6) vs. NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS (5-5, 3-4)
Saturday, November 20, 2010, 2:05 p.m. PT, JL Walkup Skydome (15,000), Flagstaff, AZ

TELEVISION: Universityhouse/Fox College Sports (Dish Network 9411); Tape delay on Fox Sports Northwest, TBA
RADIO: Freedom 970 AM, www.970.am • Pregame Show: 1 p.m. PT • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream with radio broadcast at www.b2tv.com. Live stats are available at www.GoViks.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD
All-Time Series: Northern Arizona leads 13-4 • NAU leads at Portland 7-2 • NAU leads at Flagstaff 6-2
Big Sky Series: Northern Arizona leads 10-4 • NAU leads 5-2 in Flagstaff • NAU leads 5-2 in Portland

Big Sky Conference games
Sept. 21, 1996: NAU 38-24 @ Portland
Sept. 27, 1997: NAU 56-21 @ Flagstaff
Nov. 14, 1998: NAU 23-13 @ Portland
Nov. 13, 1999: NAU 40-24 @ Flagstaff
Sept. 30, 2000: PSU 42-10 @ Flagstaff
Sept. 29, 2001: PSU 33-30 @ Portland
Sept. 28, 2002: NAU 14-10 @ Flagstaff
Sept. 20, 2003: NAU 23-0 @ Portland
Oct. 23, 2004: NAU 21-20 @ Flagstaff
Oct. 22, 2005: PSU 45-0 @ Portland
Nov. 4, 2006: PSU 34-26 @ Flagstaff
Oct. 6, 2007: NAU 44-43 @ Portland
Oct. 11, 2008: NAU 37-17 @ Flagstaff
Oct. 17, 2009: NAU 44-23 @ Portland

STREAKS
• Northern Arizona has won three in a row over Portland State.
• The 'Jacks have lost two in a row at home.
• Portland State has lost six Big Sky Conference games in a row.
• RB Cory McCaffrey has eight straight 100-yard rushing games against FCS teams.
• K Zach Brown has made six consecutive field goals and ranks second in the nation (18, 1.80 pg)
• CB DeShawn Shead has made 32 straight starts. TE Rory Richards has played in 43 straight games.

LAST YEAR: NORTHERN ARIZONA 44, PORTLAND STATE 23
Northern Arizona scored on three of its first four possessions, led 21-6 at halftime and had little trouble beating the Vikings at PGE Park. The Lumberjacks rolled up 458 yards of offense as Michael Herrick threw for three touchdowns.  NAU did not commit a turnover.

Connor Kavanaugh made his starting debut in the game after an injury to Drew Hubel the previous week. Kavanaugh rushed for 42 yards and a score and passed for 116 yards, but was picked off three times. Ryan Rau had a game-high 12 tackles, a sack and forced a fumble.

STORYLINES
• Northern Arizona has won three straight, 10 of 14 Big Sky games and 13 of 17 overall in the series.
• During the recent three-game winning streak, NAU has scored 125 points (41.7 ppg), and averaged over 455 yards per game.
• NAU Coach Jerome Souers is the dean of Big Sky Conference coaches and holds an 8-4 series advantage of the Vikings (5-4 vs. Tim Walsh, 3-0 vs. Jerry Glanville).
• NAU Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Eric Reid is a former Viking assistant coach.

VIKINGS TRAVEL TO NORTHERN ARIZONA FOR 2010 FINALE
Seeking an end to a six-week losing streak, the Portland State Vikings will travel to Flagstaff for the 2010 finale against Northern Arizona this Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. PT. The game can be heard on Freedom 970 AM in the Portland area and www.970.am. It is also available via live video stream at www.b2tv.com.
   
Dish Network subscribers can view the game on channel 9411. The game is also scheduled for tape delay on Fox Sports Northwest at a time yet to be determined.
   
The Vikings, just 2-8 this season, come off another disappointing late defeat, falling to Northern Colorado, 35-30, last Saturday. PSU held a 27-9 lead late the first half, but UNC went on a 26-3 rally the rest of the way. PSU is 1-6 in Big Sky Conference games.
   
Northern Arizona enters this week's contest at 5-5 on the season, 3-4 in the Big Sky. The Lumberjacks seek a winning season in their final game after losing in the final minute to Weber State last Saturday, 27-26.
   
The Lumberjacks have won three in a row against the Vikings and hold a 10-4 all-time advantage over PSU in Big Sky games. The Vikings last win over NAU came in 2006, when quarterback Sawyer Smith strong-armed PSU to a 34-26 win, throwing four long touchdown passes and for 324 yards total in the game. Wide receivers Tremayne Kirkland (5-123-2) and Kenneth Mackins (4-159-2) both had big games in the Walkup Skydome.

SCOUTING NORTHERN ARIZONA
The Lumberjacks started the season at 3-1, but have gone 2-4 since. Northern Arizona is 2-2 at home with a signature win over nationally-ranked Montana State, 34-7, on Oct. 16. However, since then the 'Jacks have lost to Sacramento State (40-10) and Weber State (27-26) at home.
   
Portland State's Pistol offense will be put to the test this week as the Lumberjacks maintain the top rushing defense and scoring defense in the Big Sky Conference. NAU allows just 92.5 rushing yards per game which also ranks fifth in the nation. The 'Jacks give up 20.4 points per game. In all, NAU gives up 307.7 yards, second-best in the Big Sky.
   
Reid Worthington leads Northern Arizona with 64 tackles this season. He also has two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Linebacker Scott McKeever and defensive lineman Isaac Bond each have 5.5 sacks this season to lead a team that has totaled 29 sacks. McKeever also has 51 tackles and nine tackles for loss.
   
On the other side of the ball, NAU ranks eighth in the Big Sky in offense at 341.7 yards per game.
   
Running back Zach Bauman is tied for the Big Sky lead with 13 touchdowns this season. He has carried the ball 223 times for 907 yards to rank fifth in the league.
   
Quarterback Michael Herrick has completed 176 of 284 passes for 1,800 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has to main targets in wide receivers Daiveun Curry-Chapman and Austin Shanks. Those two each have 60 receptions on the season which tied for the lead in the Big Sky Conference. They both average just over nine yards per catch.   
   
Field goal kicker Matt Myers is 14-17 on the season, including a perfect 13-13 inside 40 yards. Myers has made his last five field goals.
   
Head Coach Jerome Souers is in his 13th year at Northern Arizona. He is 71-75 overall and 8-4 against the Vikings.

FACTS, FIGURES AND CURIOSITIES
WINS AND LOSSES: The Vikings are now 2-8 on the year, 1-6 in the Big Sky Conference. With one more win, they would improve on last year's 2-9 record… the Vikings have lost six games in a row in Big Sky play for the first time in history... the Vikings will try to avoid the same fate as last year when they finished 1-7 in the Big Sky Conference... PSU lost to Northern Colorado for the first time in Big Sky Conference play and had won six straight games over the Bears… the Vikings are 1-3 at home, 1-5 on the road... PSU is 51-29 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 25-60 on the road.

200-YARD CLUB: JR RB Cory McCaffrey's 226-yard rushing game would stand up pretty well on any all-time rushing list at any school in the country. So, it is remarkable to think that it was the 24th 200-yard rushing game in school history at Portland State. And, though still impressive, it ranks just 12th-best for a game in school history... in fact, there have been four 300-yard rushing games at Portland State (Ryan Fuqua, 393 vs. EWU in 2001; Joe Rubin, 356 vs. UNC in 2005; Charles Dunn, 324 vs. Hofstra in 2000; Steve Papin, 314 vs. Arkansas-Monticello in 1995).

RUSHING RECORD ON THE LINE: Speaking of big rushing numbers, the school-record for rushing in an 11-game season at Portland State is 2,255 yards on 501 carries in 1988. This season, PSU is 429-2,132 yards through 10 games. The Vikings need 124 yards to set a new season record... the Vikings lead the Big Sky Conference and rank 14th in the nation with 213.2 yards rushing per game... PSU averages 251.4 rushing yards against FCS teams... the Vikings rushed for 2,153 yards in three seasons COMBINED under Jerry Glanville (2007-09). They are just 21 yards short of that total in 10 games this season... the season-high 322 rushing yards on 48 carries by the Vikings against Weber State (Oct. 23) is exactly the total rushing yards the Vikings had during the entire 2008 season (on 186 carries).

CORY CRACKS A K: For the second week in a row, JR RB Cory McCaffrey posted a career-high rushing. After totaling 187 yards with one touchdown on 33 carries at Sacramento State on Nov. 6, McCaffrey rushed 33 more times for 226 yards and a touchdown against Northern Colorado. That performance continued his streak of eight consecutive 100-yard rushing games against FCS opponents. In addition, McCaffrey now has 1,275 rushing yards on the season, the 10th-best season in school history with one game to play. He is the ninth Viking runner to reach 1,000 yards in a season... even more impressive, McCaffrey has 201 carries for 1,235 yards and 10 touchdowns against the eight FCS opponents (154.4)... in Big Sky only statistics, McCaffrey leads the league with a 159.9 yard per game average and nine touchdowns. He ranks second in rushing in all games (127.5) and sixth in nation... McCaffrey's eight 100-yard games this year ranks in a tie for third all-time at Portland State.

1,000-YARD RUSHERS
    1,792    Charles Dunn    2000
    1,702    Joe Rubin    2005
    1,619    Steve Papin    1995
    1,586    Ryan Fuqua    2001
    1,561    Charles Dunn    1998
    1,478    Charles Dunn    1999
    1,408    Curtis Delgardo    1990
    1,283    Ryan Fuqua    2002
    1,279    Darick Holmes    1994
    1,275    Cory McCaffrey    2010
    1,251    Curtis Delgardo    1988
    1,176    Charles Dunn    1997
    1,157    Rais Aho    1992
    1,046    Curtis Delgardo    1987
    1,021    Ryan Fuqua    2004
    1,018    Rodney Clemente    1991

100-YARD RUSHING GAMES, SEASON
    10    Joe Rubin    2005
    9    Charles Dunn    2000
    8    Cory McCaffrey    2010
    8    Charles Dunn    1998
    8    Steve Papin    1995
    8    Curtis Delgardo    1990
    7    Ryan Fuqua    2001
    7    Charles Dunn    1999
    7    Darick Holmes    1994
    7    Rais Aho    1992

YOUNG BUT READY: Portland State's offensive line should get a lion's share of the credit for the improved running game. PSU has totaled 2,132 rushing yards this year and are on the verge of a school rushing record. A truly impressive aspect of the line is its relative youth. JR LT Dustin Waldron and JR C Adam Kleffner are the veterans. Also starting are SO RT Kyle Ritt and SO RG Manuel Rojas. FR LG Mitch Gaulke and SO Nick Gale each have starts, as well as FR LG Alex Cosenza, who was knocked out with a knee injury after four games. SO Dalton Jasso and FR Mitchell Van Dyk have seen action as well.

WHAT BROWN CAN DO FOR YOU: SO K Zach Brown became Portland State's all-time leader in field goals made in just 20 games after making 3-3 against Sacramento State (40, 24, 44). After making three more against Northern Colorado (46, 39, 36), he has tied his own season record. Brown holds the marks of 36 career field goals in a career, and 18 field goals in a season (twice) - with a chance to set a new record this week... Brown has made 18-26 on the season, including his last six in a row. Brown ranks second in the nation in field goals made behind only Jason Cunningham of Montana State (19, 1.90 pg)... last season, Brown set the school record making 18-25. Of Brown's eight misses this year, four have come from over 52 yards... he was Big Sky Conference Player of the Week (9/4) after making three field goals against Arizona State (43, 53, 47), and earned the honor again after the win over UC Davis (9/11) with 4-5 field goals, 3 XPs and a two-point conversion for 17 points... Brown has won BSC honors four times in his two-season career... Brown's 53-yarder against ASU tied for the second-longest in Portland State history. With four 50+ yard field goals in his career, he has the most 50-yard field goals by a Viking... heading into the season, Brown was named to the Big Sky Conference preseason All-Conference team and named second team preseason All-America by The Sports Network. Brown comes off a freshman year (2009) in which he earned second team All-Big Sky honors... from Keizer's McNary High School, Brown is a perfect 44-44 on extra points in his career.

LONGEST FIELD GOALS (50+ yards)
1.    55    Pat Moore, 1975 at Eastern Washington
2.    53    Zach Brown, 2010 at Arizona State
    53    Mike Erickson, 1986 at California Lutheran
4.     52    Zach Brown, 2009 vs. Southern Oregon
    52    Mike Erickson, 1987 vs. Cal State Northridge
    52    John Kincheloe, 1979 at Weber State
7.    50    John Kincheloe, 1980 vs. Weber State
    50    Zach Brown, 2009 at Northern Colorado
    50    Zach Brown, 2010 vs. Eastern Washington

CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE
    36    Zach Brown    2009-10
    32    Mike Erickson    1985-88
    31    J.J. Brumfield    1988-91
    30    Eric Azorr    2003-06
    30    Dan Frantz    1997-00

SEASON FIELD GOALS MADE
    18/25    Zach Brown    2009
    18/26    Zach Brown    2010
    15/23    Danny Urrego    2008
    14/19    Dan Frantz    1999
    14/21    Eric Azorr    2006
    14/22    Mike Cajal-Willis    2002

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: With the left hand injury to Connor Kavanaugh, SR QB Tygue Howland stepped into the quarterback role for the Vikings against Eastern Washington. It was his first significant playing time in a game still in question since starting against Montana on Nov. 8, 2008. Howland missed all of 2009 with a knee injury, then earned the backup role in 2010 after being given a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA (due to three season-ending injuries during his Viking career)... Howland accounted well for himself against the Eagles, but had to play from behind all night as eighth-ranked Eastern Washington dominated the Vikings, 50-17. Howland completed 28 of 55 passes for 323 yards and one interception. It was the second-biggest passing day of his career.. Howland made his first start of the season and the fifth of his career at Sacramento State. He completed 11-27 passes for 141 yards with no TDs or INTs. Howland also rushed 15 times for 29 yards. Minus sack yardage, he had 11 carries for 69 yards... against Northern Colorado, Howland completed 20-35 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Howland's Career Statistics
2005: Redshirt
2006: 2 games, 1-4-1, 2 yards, 0 TD, torn ACL in third game vs. California
2007: 1 game, 12-24-0, 126 yards, 0 TD, started first game vs. McNeese State, suffered broken foot in 3rd quarter
2008: 7 games, 3 starts, 74-150-5, 1,111 yards, 5 TD
2009: missed season after suffering torn ACL 
2010: 7 games (at QB), 2 starts, 69-144-6, 825 yards, 2 TD, has played in every game as holder for place kicks
Total: 17 games, 6 starts (at QB), 156-322-12, 2,064 yards, 7 TD

QUARTERBACK NUMBERS DWINDLE: Portland State started the year with eight quarterbacks, but have seen those numbers dwindle. First, SO Nick Green moved from QB to safety because of the depth at the position and lack of depth at defensive back. Then, SR Drew Hubel had right shoulder surgery and is now redshirting the season. With the injury to Connor Kavanaugh's left hand, the Vikings are down to five QBs. Freshmen Josh Milhollin and Chad Dashnaw are slated to redshirt, although Milhollin traveled to Sacramento State as an emergency third quarterback. JR Justin Engstrom (one career start) is the backup. The Vikings also have SO Hank Taylor (has not played).  

FINISH THE DRIVE: Portland State has converted only 20-28 trips (71%) to the redzone into scores this year. Moreover, only 13 of the 28 have been touchdowns (48%)... the Vikings rank 20th in the nation in total offense (406.6 ypg), but just 58th in scoring (24.3 ppg).

RUN DEFENSE REBOUND: Portland State's rushing defense has been up and down to this season to say the least... the Vikings have allowed four of eight FCS opponents to run for 222 yards or more this season. But, PSU has allowed just 264 yards COMBINED on the ground to the other four FCS opponents: Montana, UC Davis, Idaho State and Sacramento State... PSU is currently ninth in the Big Sky in rushing defense (216.8), total defense (445.0) and scoring defense (38.3).

Rushing Yards allowed per game
Arizona State: 242
UC Davis: 70
Oregon: 528
Idaho State: 3
Montana State: 326
Montana: 123
Weber State: 337
Eastern Washington: 222
Sacramento State: 68
Northern Colorado: 249

MOVING AROUND BACK THERE: JR CB DeShawn Shead moved to safety for most of the second half against Sacramento State (11/6). JR FS Donte Almond also started the second half and SO CB Mike Williams came in to join JR CB David Ross. The moves paid dividends as PSU's defense was much tougher, allowing no yards in the third period and forcing four punts in the second half. The Vikings went with that alignment against Northern Colorado as well giving Shead the first start of his career not at cornerback, and the first start of Almond's career, period.

PLAYING WITH A LEAD: Despite being only 2-8, Portland State has held a lead in seven of 10 games this season - and several for significant amounts of time. Last Saturday was no different as the Vikings trailed briefly early, but build a 27-9 lead in the second period and did not give it back until the fourth period.... other leads: PSU led Arizona State 3-0 early, led UC Davis for the entire final three periods, led Idaho State the entire game, led Montana State the entire first half until a late second-period field goal, led Montana for much of the third period and briefly in the fourth, and led Weber State virtually the entire game until midway through the fourth period.

TURNOVER TROUBLE: The Vikings have committed 20 turnovers in eight losses, and just two turnovers in two wins. PSU has forced just 10 turnovers in eight losses, but six turnovers in two wins. That makes a -10 TO ratio in losses and +4 TO ratio in wins... PSU has a -6 ratio for the season to rank eighth in the Big Sky Conference.

THE GOOD HANDS MAN: SR TE Julius Thomas showed his great skills with a basketball over four seasons for the Vikings. Now, he is showing he has football skills as well. Thomas' good hands have been good for 27 receptions and a team-high 439 yards and two touchdowns. He had career highs of seven catches for 143 yards and a touchdown at Montana State (10/9). Thomas also caught a two-point conversion pass... against Weber State he had another 100-yard game with four catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.

BACK IN THE FOLD: Speaking of good hands, SR WR Nick Hutter returned last week to action after it was expected he was out for the year with a separated shoulder. Hutter missed the game at Sacramento State, but was able to play against Northern Colorado, catching five passes for 68 yards. Hutter leads the team with 31 receptions for 426 yards and two touchdowns.

FOURTH DOWN: SO P Thomas Duyndam has quietly had a solid season and prior to the Northern Colorado game was averaging over 42 yards per punt. Now with a 41.9 average heading into the season finale, Duyndam will be punting at 7,000 feet in Flagstaff. The light air could mean much longer punts. Depending on the number and the distance, he may have a shot at the PSU school record for a season, which is 42.8 set by John Kincheloe in 1979... 11 of Duyndam's 43 punts have finished inside the 20 yard line this season and there have be eight fair catches... at 41.9 yards, Duyndam ranks second in the Big Sky Conference and 12th in the nation.

CAREER AND MILESTONE WATCH: SR TE Rory Richards has played in the most games of any Viking (43), never missing one in his four years after a redshirt season in 2006. Richards will make it a perfect 44 of 44 in his final game this Saturday at Northern Arizona. SR DT Travis Beckley was on that same path until he missed a game two weeks against at Sacramento State. Beckley has played in 42 of 43 going into this Saturday... JR CB DeShawn Shead has the most consecutive starts (32) of any Viking... SO K Zach Brown has 36 career field goals in just two seasons and holds the all-time record for the Vikings. Here is a look at the active leaders in respective stats for the Vikings (and their all-time PSU ranking where applicable):

Games Played: Rory Richards, 2007-10, 43; Travis Beckley, 2007-10, 42
Games Started: DeShawn Shead, 2008-10, 32 (consecutive); Travis Beckley, 2007-10, 31
Receptions: Ray Fry, 2008-10, 107
Receiving Yards: Ray Fry, 2008-10, 1,536 yards
Rushing Yards: Cory McCaffrey, 2008-10, 1,275 yards; Connor Kavanaugh, 2008-10, 889 yards
Passing Yards/TDs: Drew Hubel, 2007-10, 6,358 yards (4th all-time)/42 TDs (6th all-time)
Tackles: Ryan Rau, 2008-10, 170
Tackles For Loss: Travis Beckley, 2007-10, 13; Ryan Rau, 2008-10, 13
Sacks: Travis Beckley, 2007-10, 8
Interceptions: DeShawn Shead, 2008-10, 9
Field Goals: Zach Brown, 2009-10, 36 (1st all-time)

MAKING A FRESH START: 19 different Vikings have been first-time starters this season... there were nine in game one at Arizona State: JR RB Cory McCaffrey, FR OL Alex Cosenza, SO WR Justin Monahan, SR WR Nick Hutter, JR DE Carl Sommer, JR DE Jack Forbes, JR DT Alika Vaiese, JR FS Manoa Latu and JR CB David Ross... FR DT Julious Moore started at UC Davis... SR TE Julius Thomas and SO WR Kalua Noa and SO OL Nick Gale had their first starts against the Ducks... FR OL Mitch Gaulke had his first start against Idaho State... against Montana State, SO DE Dereck Jester made his first start as a Viking... FR DE Bryant Long, FR RB Justin Lilley and JR LB Shane Melbo each made their first starts against Sacramento State... JR SS Donte Almond started his first game against Northern Colorado.