Complete 2010 preview and 2009 review in pdf

Portland State Football will undergo a season of new direction in 2010, including a new leader to new styles of play on offense and defense, and even a new home - albeit a temporary new home - at Hillsboro Stadium.

Nigel Burton, a former Viking assistant coach and most recently the defensive coordinator at the University Nevada, has taken over as the new Head Coach at Portland State. He will implement the Pistol offense and a 4-3 defense in 2010 as the Vikings plan a bounce-back season from its worst record in 29 years (2-9).

"The biggest thing we have to do is set the identity for the football team,” said Burton. “In those terms, it means re-establishing a running game here, offensively. Then defensively, making sure we are assignment sound. And finally, getting back to really detailing the special teams game. If we can get those three phases in and those three things done, I will feel pretty good.”

PRESEASON PRACTICE
Portland State opens its preseason practice schedule on August 8 at 3 p.m. on Stott Community Field. Anticipated scrimmage dates are Aug. 14 and 21 from 10:30 to 1 p.m.

The Vikings will spend four weeks preparing for a season opener at Arizona State on Sept. 4, in a first-ever meeting with the Sun Devils. That will start a formidable schedule that includes two Pac-10 teams, three NCAA FCS playoff teams and seven road games.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Aug. 8: 3-5:30
Aug. 9: 3-5:30
Aug. 10: 3-5:30
Aug. 11: 3-5:30
Aug. 12: 3-5:30
Aug. 13: 10:30-1; 5:30-8:30
Aug. 14: 10:30-1 (scrimmage)
Aug. 15: Off
Aug. 16: 10:30-1; 5:30-8:30
Aug. 17: 3-5:30
Aug. 18: 10:30-1; 5:30-8:30
Aug. 19: 3-5:30
Aug. 20: 10:30-1; 5:30-8:30
Aug. 21: 10:30-1 (scrimmage)
Aug. 22: Off
Aug. 23: 10:30-1; 5:30-8:30
Aug. 24: 3-5:30
Aug. 25: 10:30-1; 5:30-8:30
Aug. 26: 3-5:30
Aug. 27: 3-5:30
Aug. 28: 3-5:30
Aug. 29: Off
Aug. 30: 3-5:30
Aug. 31: 3-5:30
Sept. 1: 3-5:30
Sept. 2: 3-5:30
Sept. 3: Travel Day
Sept. 4: @ Arizona State

MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Portland State football coaches and players are available before and after practices for interviews. However, there is limited time prior to practices due to pre-practice meetings. If you would like a pre-practice inteview, please contact Mike Lund in the PSU Media Relations office at 503-725-5602 or lundm@pdx.edu.

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME IN 2010
In 2010, Portland State will make a one-season move to Hillsboro Stadium. The move to Hillsboro is necessitated by impending construction at downtown PGE Park in the fall. The Vikings' home field for nearly 45 years, PGE Park will receive a facelift in preparation for the arrival of Major League Soccer and the new Portland franchise in 2011. PSU football will benefit greatly from PGE Park's remodel in 2011 but will be temporarily displaced in 2010.

Portland State has played football at Hillsboro Stadium before. Exactly 10 seasons ago, the Vikings played at Hillsboro as Portland Family Entertainment refurbished PGE Park to its current state. The Vikings went 8-4 in 2000, spending eight weeks ranked in the nation's top 10. PSU was 4-2 in home games at Hillsboro Stadium. PSU tied for second in the Big Sky Conference and earned its first - and only - NCAA FCS post-season berth.

A new Field Turf surface has been installed for the 2010 season - the same surface PSU practices on at Stott Community Field, and plays on at PGE Park.

Portland State will be adding club seating, a game-day event garden and other amenities which will have seating capacity at 7,825.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 888-VIK-TIKS.

THE 2010 SCHEDULE
Nigel Burton will have his hands full of challenges in 2010 as the Viking schedule includes a date with a team that competed for the NCAA FCS national championship (Montana), two other FCS playoff teams (Weber State, Eastern Washington), and two members of the Pac-10, including one that played in the Rose Bowl (Oregon).

The result of the move to Hillsboro will be a four-game home schedule for the Vikings with seven road games.

Portland State begins and ends its 11-game regular season schedule in the state of Arizona. The first three games - all non-conference - are on the road, beginning at Arizona State on Sept. 4. The Sun Devils were 4-8 in 2009, including 2-7 in the Pac-10. They defeated Big Sky opponent Idaho State to open the season, and in addition to PSU will play Northern Arizona of the Big Sky in 2010. The Vikings and the Sun Devils have never met in football.

The Vikings play at UC Davis on Sept. 11, looking to avenge a 34-31 loss to the Aggies in PGE Park in 2009. UC Davis, a member of the Great West Football Conference, was 6-5 last season.

PSU makes the short trip to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks on Sept. 18. PSU is 0-3 all-time against Oregon, with its most recent meeting a 55-12 loss in 2006.

Following a bye week on Sept. 25, the 2010 Big Sky Conference schedule opens on Oct. 2 with the Vikings hosting Idaho State at Hillsboro Stadium.

The eight conference games will alternate home and away for eight consecutive weeks. PSU will host Idaho State (1-10, 1-7 in 2009) on Oct. 2, Big Sky Champion Montana (14-1, 8-0) on Oct. 16, Eastern Washington (8-4, 6-2) on Oct. 30 and Northern Colorado (3-8, 1-7) on Nov. 13.

The Vikings are on the road at Montana State (7-4, 5-3) on Oct. 9, at Weber State (7-5, 6-2) on Oct. 23, at Sacramento State (5-6, 4-4) on Nov. 6, and close out the season at Northern Arizona (5-6, 4-4) on Nov. 20.

VIKING FOOTBALL MOVES TO FREEDOM 970 AM
The Portland State athletics program has signed a three-year deal with KXFD-AM/Freedom 970 to broadcast Viking football and men's basketball. PSU joins the Alpha Broadcasting Group which includes sister stations KXTG-FM/95.5 The Game, KUPL-FM, KINK-FM, KUFO-FM and KXL-AM.

The move improves the reach of Portland State's radio broadcasts through a higher wattage than its previous signal, as well as potential listeners, based on Arbitron ratings. The Viking program will also benefit from increased promotional opportunities across Alpha's different radio signals.

“PSU Athletics is excited to be part of the Alpha Broadcasting family,” said Athletic Director Torre Chisolm. “KXFD will be a great flagship station for PSU football and basketball. KXFD and Alpha will be great partners in spreading excitement and interest for Viking Athletics. Alpha is home to the state's premier sports properties in the Blazers, Ducks and Timbers, and now the Portland State Vikings.”

Under the direction of new Head Coach Nigel Burton, interest in Viking Football will be at an all-time high as he begins the turnaround of a program that has struggled over the last three seasons. The Viking Men's Basketball team, helmed by Head Coach Tyler Geving, was an NCAA Tournament participant in 2008 and 2009 and has reached the Big Sky Conference semifinals the last four years in a row.

“We are delighted to partner with Portland State University for football and basketball games on Freedom 970,” commented Alpha Broadcasting Director of Talk Programming, Brian Jennings. “PSU is the largest institution of higher learning in Oregon and with Alpha's commitment to local programming, we have taken yet another step forward in the mission to bring the best local content to our airwaves.”

Viking play-by-play will continue to be handled by Tom Hewitt, who also co-hosts the Saturday morning Golf Show on Alpha Broadcasting sister station KXTG/95.5 The Game. Hewitt will begin his 13th year with Viking football play-by-play and 10th year with Viking basketball play-by-play.

KXFD-AM is owned and operated by Alpha Broadcasting, along with KXTG-FM, KUPL-FM, KINK-FM, KUFO-FM and KXL-AM. Alpha Broadcasting, headquartered in Portland, Oregon was formed by Larry Wilson, Bob Proffitt and Endeavour Capital, also in Portland. Wilson founded Citadel Communications Corporation, before it was sold to Forstmann Little & Company in 2001 for $2 billion.

FACT, FIGURES AND CURIOSITIES

MORE COACHES ON THE WAY: Portland State football will announce the hiring of two new assistant coaches later this week. Assistants Kevin Emberton (running backs/recruiting) and Casey Clifton (assistant defensive line) resigned from the program in July.

QUARTERBACK CENTRAL MEANS HEATED COMPETITION FOR PLAYING TIME: The Vikings will have no less than eight quarterbacks on the roster 2010. And, it should be intriguing to see who ends up with the playing time, and whether it is one player or quarterback-by-committee. The incumbent starter the past few seasons, SR Drew Hubel (6,358 yards, 42 TDs in his career), is always at the top of the list, but had off-season surgery on his knee following an injury last season. His health will have a huge impact on who will play in 2010. That said, he has a stronger arm, but is not nearly as mobile as his backup - and close friend - JR Connor Kavanaugh. A mobile quarterback seems to be the tenet of The Pistol offense, and Kavanaugh showed that ability (398 rushing yards in a backup role and two starts) in 2009... meanwhile, SR Tygue Howland, who was the opening game starter in 2007 and 2008, is back with a sixth year of eligibility following a series of season-ending injuries during his career - including an ACL in July 2009. Howland looked good in the spring game, has perhaps the program's strongest arm and is athletic for a big man... another quarterback with good throwing ability is JR Justin Engstrom, who started the 2009 season finale, and has skills and size similar to Hubel... another quarterback in the program with good athleticism is SO Nick Green, who was a redshirt in 2009. Green also had a spring to learn the offense and comes into the mix with abilities somewhere between Hubel and Kavanaugh on the quarterback sliding scale... FR Chad Dashnaw joined the Viking program in time for spring football. He has excellent size and played in a high school program that had a similar offense to the Pistol... FR Josh Milhollin was one of the state of Oregon's most talented athletes in football and track. He joins the Vikings for preaseason camp.

TRANSFER TIME: It is always interesting to see how players transition when moving from a NCAA FBS program to an FCS program. In 2010, Portland State has some of those transfer coming into positions of need at cornerback and running back; JR CB David Ross (Oregon State) and JR RB Willie Griffin (Washington). Ross was actually recruited to Oregon State by Nigel Burton when the Viking Head Coach was a secondary coach for the Beavers. Ross saw limited action with the Beavers, but comes to a position lacking depth on the Viking roster. Griffin played two years at Washington, carrying 66 times for 230 yards. He comes to a Viking program that is putting renewed emphasis on the running game through the Pistol offense and has only one returner with significant playing time returning (SO Ben Bowen)... other FBS transfers include SO WR Martin Bayless (Northwestern), SR TE NaDerris Ward (Oregon), JR OL Scott Shugert... previous FBS transfers who have come in to play important roles for the Vikings include SR WR Ray Fry (Idaho), JR DE Carl Sommer (Oregon State), and JR QB Justin Engstrom (Oregon State).

BROWN GIVEN PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA, ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS: Portland State kicker Zach Brown has been named to the Big Sky Conference preseason All-Conference team as voted on by league media. He has also been named second team preseason All-America by The Sports Network- the main news-gathering source and award sponsor for the FCS... Brown, a sophomore, comes off a freshman year (2009) in which he earned second team All-Big Sky honors. He is one of just two sophomores named to the preseason Big Sky team. He is one of four sophomores named to the first, second and third-team All-America list by the Sports Network.... from Keizer's McNary High School, Brown made a school-record 18 of 25 field goals in 2009, ranking sixth in the nation with 1.64 field goals made per game. During the season, Brown made two field goals from 50+ yards, and three of his seven misses were from 52 yards or more. He was also perfect on extra points making 21 of 21... Brown was named one of the top ten returning specialists (kicker/punter/returner) in all of the NCAA I Football Championship Subdivision by the Sports Network.

FROM THE HARDWOOD TO THE GRIDIRON: SR TE Julius Thomas is familiar to Viking fans for a different reason - he starred on the Viking basketball team for four seasons. Thomas, a 6-5, and beefed-up 240-pounder, set school records for career games played (121), career wins (78), and career field goal percentage (.663) with the basketball program. He also participated on two Big Sky Champion teams and in two NCAA Tournaments (2008 and 2009). Thomas averaged 10.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and and shot a school-record .671 from the field as a senior... since athletes competing at the NCAA level have five years to complete their eligibility, Thomas (who has graduated) elected to go out for spring football. He so impressed the coaching staff that he figures to play an important role in 2010. A native of Stockton, CA, Thomas only football experience is as a freshman at Tokay High School (2002).

INFLUENTIAL? HE CERTAINLY CAN BE: New Portland State Football Head Coach Nigel Burton was recently named the 25th Most Influential Person on the state of Oregon sports scene by Oregonian columnist John Canzano. (The top of the list? No surprise: Portland Trail Blazers billionaire owner Paul Allen, and Nike mogul Phil Knight). So, how does Burton get on the list without having coached a game yet at Portland State? He has the unique opportunity to turn around a program that has won just nine games in the last three seasons and comes off its poorest mark (2-9) in 28 years. If he can do that, Burton can create a huge buzz for the football program at the state's largest institution of higher education (28,000 students) located in Oregon's major metropolitan area (more the 2.1 million people) as it heads back to a newly remodeled PGE Park in 2011.

BACK IN GREEN: The Viking football team will have a new look, which is actually an old look, but better represents Portland State Athletics. PSU has new uniforms which include green as the dominant color once again. Gone are the all black uniforms of the past three seasons. In 2010, the Vikings will have varying combinations of green, white and black as in years past. The new green uniforms will be unveiled following the August 14 scrimmage at Stott Community Field.

VIKINGS PICKED EIGHTH IN BIG SKY IN 2010 PRESEASON POLLS: Portland State Football has been picked to place eighth this year in the Big Sky Conference title race by both the media and league coaches in preseason polls. The Vikings, who come off a 2-9 season, were picked ahead of Idaho State - a team they lost to in 2009 - and behind Northern Colorado - a team they beat in 2009... Montana was the consensus favorite to win the Big Sky for the 13th season in a row. The Grizzlies received eight of nine first-place votes from the coaches and 40 of 41 first-place votes from the media. Coaches and media agree (for once) as the two polls came out in identical order: Eastern Washington was picked second, followed by Montana State, Weber State, Northern Arizona, Sacramento State, Northern Colorado, Portland State and Idaho State.

Coaches' Poll
1. Montana (8) 64
2. Eastern Washington 51
3. Montana State 48
4. Weber State 44
5. Northern Arizona (1) 41
6. Sacramento State 30
7. Northern Colorado 19
8. Portland State 18
9. Idaho State 10

Media Poll
1. Montana (40) 374
2. Eastern Washington (1) 280
3. Montana State 279
4. Weber State 269
5. Northern Arizona (1) 240
6. Sacramento State 166
7. Northern Colorado 128
8. Portland State 89
9. Idaho State 62

2010 SEASON PREVIEW
For Nigel Burton the key to success starts up front.

“Offensive and defensive line are our biggest challenges. Those guys understand that we cannot win football games without them. They must be assignment sound and learn to be physical and playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. And the offensive line, they must take pride in re-establishing the run game.”

Portland State has 45 returning letterwinners and 14 returning starters from 2009. The team is young though, with only 14 seniors and more than 50 players on the roster either freshmen or sophomores. Among that group is Nigel Burton's first recruiting class of more than 20.

A LOOK AT THE OFFENSE
The Pistol offense was created at the University of Nevada in 2005. The basic tenets of the offense have the quarterback standing four yards from center in a shotgun look. The running back stands three yards behind the quarterback. This allows the quarterback the vision and time of the shotgun in the passing game. It also allows the running back to run downhill as opposed to laterally in most spread offenses, creating faster hitting plays.

Complementing that offensive scheme will be passing philosophies developed by Offensive Coordinator Bruce Barnum over that past nine seasons at two other FCS schools.

QUARTERBACK
Burton will have a large group of quarterbacks in his stable to choose from - including six returners and two freshmen. It will be interesting to see which players adjust best to the new offense, as well as how Burton and Barnum adjust the offense to match the talent.

SR Drew Hubel (6-5, 205) has had 20 starts during his career, but missed three games last season with injury. A classic drop back passer, Hubel has 6,358 career passing yards and 42 touchdowns, but those numbers were compiled in the Run-and-Shoot offense. He is coming off knee surgery and his health will be a key issue this fall. Hubel did not participate in spring drills as he recovered from surgery.

Also returning are SR Tygue Howland (6-3, 220), JRs Connor Kavanaugh (6-0, 180) and Justin Engstrom (6-5, 210) and redshirts Nick Green (SO, 6-2, 200) and Hank Taylor (SO, 6-3, 185).

Howland has four starts in his career, but has battled injuries for years, including last season when he missed the year with a torn ACL. Howland successfully petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility after missing much of three seasons with injuries.

Kavanaugh saw significant action in 2009, replacing an injured Hubel, and offering an occasional, more mobile alternative when Hubel was healthy. Kavanaugh does not have an arm to match Hubel's or Howland's, but brings speed and elusiveness to the position. His strong spring has him in contention to start again in 2010.

Engstrom also saw action late in the 2009 season, starting the season finale. His abilities are more of the drop-back variety, but he has the ability to move around the pocket as well.

Also competing in the spring was freshman Chad Dashnaw (6-4, 230) who is an early graduate from high school and part of the 2010 signing class. He will be adapting to the college level, but also a fairly similar offensive system to the one he played in high school.

The other quarterback that Portland State signed is Josh Milhollin of South Medford (OR) High School. He joins the program in fall camp.

RUNNING BACK
The running game will be interesting as three freshmen, a transfer and a former running back will join returning running back Ben Bowen (5-10, 200). The Viking sophomore rushed 64 times for 275 yards and a touchdown in a backup role to Bobby McClintock in 2009. Bowen also had a 100-yard rushing game against Weber State.

Freshmen DeVaunte Bolton and AJ Powell will also have a chance to contribute to the Viking running game right away when they arrive in the fall.

“One of the (freshman) running backs has to play and physically those guys are ready to go,” said Burton. “It is just going to be the mental maturity process for them in transitioning to the college game. They are great kids.”

Washington transfer Willie Griffin (JR, 5-8, 190) joined the backfield but could not participate in the spring because of minor back surgery. As a Husky the past two years, Griffin has rushed 66 times for 220 yards and a touchdown. He brings high level experience to the position.

Also of interest is the move of JR Cory McCaffrey from wide receiver to running back. Though he has seen limited action as a wideout during his first two seasons at PSU, McCaffrey will return to the position that made him one of the all-time great prep running backs in state of Oregon history. McCaffrey gained 8,460 yards in three seasons at Sisters High School and was a two-time state player of the year at the 4A level. McCaffrey showed he hasn't lost a step in the backfield after a solid spring, and should contend to start.

WIDE RECEIVER
A troop of 12 wide receivers are on the roster for 2010. Seven of those are letterwinners as starter Ray Fry (SR, 5-8, 180) returns, as does Nevin Lewis (SO, 6-2, 195) and Keitrell Anderson (SO, 5-9, 170) - who shared a starting role in 2009.

Fry should provide to be a go-to presence again as he was the Vikings' top receiver in 2009 (67-904-3). Anderson and Lewis (combined 11-146-2), both true sophomores, have excellent athleticism and should have big careers ahead.

The Pistol offense employs two wideouts and a flanker with those three listed at the top of the depth chart in the spring.

Otherwise, playing time appears wide open at the position as the remainder of the returning players have seen little, if any game action. Only two of those 11 are juniors or seniors.

Others who have been in the program for a season and could have breakout seasons include SO Justin Monahan (6-2, 185), SR Nick Hutter (5-11, 180) and SO Kalua Noa (6-1, 190). Another big receiver, Monahan had a solid spring after a redshirt year.

TIGHT END
Viking fans will see the tight end position employed once again in the transition to the Pistol offense. The Run-and-Shoot featured four wideouts and no tight ends.

As a result, Burton had to recruit to build at the position and came in with a pair of talented signees, Kyle McMillin (JR, 6-2, 240) and Taylor Meyrick (FR, 6-5, 275). McMillin competed in spring football while Meyrock joins the program in the fall. A transfer from Oregon, NaDerris Ward (SR, 6-5, 265) also joins the mix this fall.

In 2009, Portland State did use a tight end in certain formations. Rory Richards (SR, 6-3, 225) took on that duty and he returns this season.

Adding intrigue is the addition of four-year PSU basketball letterwinner Julius Thomas (SR, 6-5, 225) to the mix. Thomas, who played one season of freshman football in high school, wowed the coaches with his athleticism and receiving ability and figures to be a wild card in the Viking program this fall.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Off-season development is the key to the Vikings' offensive line play. PSU has 19 linemen, including 15 that were in the program last season, and only one of those is a senior.

Dustin Waldron (JR, 6-6, 280) has turned into a reliable left tackle, starting the last 14 games for PSU. Sophomores Manuel Rojas and Kyle Ritt became regular starters at guard by mid-season in 2009. After those three, the Vikings have little experience but a lot of bodies on the line. Who is able to step forward in 2010 and contribute remains to be seen. Junior Adam Kleffner (6-3, 310) and sophomore Seth Giandomenico (6-4, 275) each made a start in 2009 and could be candidates for playing time in 2010. Kleffner will play center, while Giandomenico is a right tackle.

Burton recognized the lack of experience on the line and signed two junior college transfers who should compete to start, Joey Esposito (6-4, 300) and Bruce Seumanutafa (6-5, 350).

“You don't recruit JC guys for depth, you recruit them to push to start right away, that way they are happy and that is the only way we will be happy in that kind of investment,” said Burton.

Another change has defensive tackle Nick Gale (SO, 6-4, 280), who played in all 11 games as a freshman, moving over to the offensive side.

A LOOK AT THE DEFENSE
Portland State will run a Base 4-3, Cover 4 Defense that puts 7-9 defenders in the box to stop the run and press receivers outside to disrupt timing with opposing quarterbacks. It relies on simplicity, pressure and speed.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Portland State's defensive line has some experience but will seek to fill out the depth chart as the Vikings move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 scheme a and need more men up front.

Senior Travis Beckley (6-4, 285) has played in (33) and started more games (22) than any Viking. He moves from end to tackle as the Vikings transition to the 4-3 alignment. Beckley had 29 tackles and three sacks as a junior.

Carl Sommer (JR, 6-4, 260) battled injury last season but has the ability to be a key member of the line in 2010. He will play at defensive end, and has experience at the Pac-10 level (he played his freshman season at Oregon State).

At the other defensive end should be sophomore Dereck Jester (6-4, 240) who had a strong true freshman season as a backup, making 13 tackles and two sacks. He brings speed and energy off the edge.

The line has been bolstered with a handful of talented speed players from the 2010 signing class. A few of the freshmen will need to get bigger and stronger before getting onto the field, but Burton expects JC transfer Jack Forbes (6-3, 225) to step in to an active role after playing spring football.

“How fast Jack comes along will allow us to do some things with our defensive line, shifting from a 3-4 to a 4-3.”

Freshmen may be called upon in 2010, including gray shirt Josh Ah Toon (6-3, 280), and signees Major Harris (6-3, 210), Vincent Johnson (6-2, 265), James Seuma'ala (6-3, 240) and Brandon Tobias (6-2, 210).

LINEBACKER
Junior Ryan Rau (6-1, 230) anchors a position that has good depth due to the previous 3-4 defensive scheme. Rau led the Vikings in tackles (72), tackles for loss (10), sacks (4) and quarterbacks hurries (6). His speed and toughness will lend itself well to the middle linebacker role in the 4-3 scheme.

The Vikings have four players who started at least one game in 2009: Jaycob Shoemaker (6-0, 230, 39 tackles), Joel Sisler (6-2, 210, 25 tackles), DJ Macarthy (6-0, 235, 18 tackles) and Kevin Konrath (6-3, 230, 6 tackles). Of the group, only Macarthy is a senior, and all four should see a lot of action this season. Sisler and Macarthy, both with good speed, are likely candidates to start on the outside.

JR Nick Kalpin (6-0, 205) moves from backup running back to linebacker in 2010, though he has spent the majority of his first two seasons as a key special teams player.

SAFETY
The safety position is a bit of a question mark as the Vikings have just one returning player with much game experience.

Sophomore Nathan Snow (5-11, 190) made two starts and had 23 tackles as a true freshman. A leg injury cost him a few games during midseason.

A junior transfer, Manoa Latu (6-1, 205), is one of Burton's top recruits and could step into a starting role at strong safety.

Justin Lilley (FR, 5-11, 205) was a top recruit in 2009, but a knee injury during fall camp cost him the chance to ever get on the field. That said, he is healthy for 2010 and expected to contribute.

Twins Donte and Michael Almond (both 6-2, 195) have size for the position and should add depth.

CORNERBACK
The discussion at cornerback begins with two-year starter DeShawn Shead (6-2, 195). An All-Conference selection, Shead has 96 tackles, nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries in two seasons. His strong press coverage will be a key element to Burton's 4-3 scheme which features a large number of defenders “in the box.”

The starter on the other side, Michael Williams (SO, 5-9, 165), also returns. Williams had some growing pains as a true freshman, but has the athletic skills and now the experience to be a top-notch cornerback.

The addition of transfer David Ross (JR, 6-0, 190) from Oregon State gives the Vikings the depth they need.

Sophomore Denzel Davis (5-9, 170) played mainly on specials teams last season, but brings experience to the position as well. The Vikings also signed a cornerback in freshman Jarron Williams (5-10, 170).

A LOOK AT SPECIAL TEAMS
Portland State returns all the elements to its kicking/punting units from last season.

At kicker, the Vikings have depth. However, they shouldn't need to go past their number one man, Zach Brown (SO, 6-1, 180), who comes off the best kicking season in school history. Brown made a school-record 18 of 25 field goals as a freshman, and earned All-Conference honors. He made two 50+ field goals, and three of his misses were from 52 yards or longer. Brown also had a kickoff average of over 65 yards.

Robert Truax has game experience each of the past two seasons and should provide insurance at the kicker position.

At punter, Thomas Duyndam also returns (SO, 6-4, 215). Duyndam is the first Australian ever to play for the Vikings. He averaged 38.5 yards per punt as a freshman in just his second year of competitive football.

Long snapper Braedyn Eagle (JR, 6-2, 240) has handled all snapping duties the past two seasons and should continue to do so in 2010.