• Listen to Nigel Burton on the Dave Smith Show at 1:30 Monday on 750 AM The Game
• Connor Kavanaugh will be on the John Canzano Bald Faced Truth Show at 3:35 Monday on 750 AM The Game, then later tonight, he will be on Northwest Sports Tonight on KPAM 860 AM at 6:15.
• Nigel Burton will be on Northwest Sports Tonight on KPAM 860 AM on Wednesday at 6:25.

complete notes in pdf

#3 MONTANA STATE BOBCATS (4-1, 2-0) vs. PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (3-1, 2-0)
Game 5 • Saturday, October 8, 2011 • 1:07 p.m. • JELD-WEN Field (18,627), Portland, OR

TELEVISION: Comcast SportsNet (channel 37/HD 737) in Portland (Live feed from Max Media Montana)
RADIO: Freedom 970 AM, www.970.am • Pregame Show: Noon • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live stats are available at www.GoViks.com. Live video stream with radio broadcast at www.b2tv.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD
All-Time Series: Montana State leads 16-9 • The series is tied in Portland 6-6 • MSU leads in Bozeman 10-2 • PSU leads in Billings 1-0
Big Sky Series: Montana State leads 9-6 • PSU leads in Portland 4-3 • MSU leads in Bozeman 6-2

Big Sky Conference games
Oct. 26, 1996: MSU 24-6 @ Bozeman
Oct. 25, 1997: PSU 44-0 @ Portland
Oct. 17, 1998: PSU 34-31 @ Bozeman
Oct. 16, 1999: PSU 49-28 @ Portland
Nov. 4, 2000: PSU 31-24 @ Bozeman
Nov. 3, 2001: PSU 33-21 @ Portland
Nov. 16, 2002: MSU 28-26 @ Bozeman
Nov. 15, 2003: MSU 25-14 @ Portland
Oct. 16, 2004: MSU 31-24 @ Bozeman (ot)
Oct. 15, 2005: PSU 44-41 @ Portland
Oct. 7, 2006: MSU 14-0 @ Bozeman
Nov. 10, 2007: MSU 50-36 @ Portland
Nov. 15, 2008: MSU 49-32 @ Bozeman
Nov. 7, 2009: MSU 28-10 @ Portland
Oct. 9, 2010: MSU 44-31 @ Bozeman

STREAKS
• PSU has won two home games in a row and two Big Sky games in a row.
• Montana State has won five in a row and eight of the last nine in the series with PSU.
• MSU has won six straight Big Sky Conference games.
• JR K Zach Brown has made 10 consecutive field goals dating to last season.
• SR SS DeShawn Shead has made 37 straight starts.

LAST YEAR: MONTANA STATE 44, PORTLAND STATE 31
PSU jumped to an 18-3 lead after one period only to see 10th-ranked Montana State score 41 points in a row and eventually win in Bozeman. The Vikings had 456 yards of offense, including 248 on the ground as Cory McCaffrey rushed for 153 and two scores on the day. MSU compiled 532 yards on offense, including 326 on the ground. Quarterback Denarius McGhee threw for three touchdowns and rushed for a fourth for MSU.

VIKINGS VS. NATIONALLY-RANKED TEAMS
Montana State is Portland State's second nationally-ranked opponent of the 2011 season. PSU lost an earlier matchup with 20th-ranked (FBS) TCU... since joining the Big Sky and Division I in 1996, PSU is 14-27 all-time against nationally-ranked FCS teams, 14-33 against all Division I nationally-ranked teams... PSU is 10-11 at home against nationally-ranked FCS opponents... PSU has lost 10 straight games to nationally-ranked teams (FCS or FBS)... PSU is 2-2 all-time against Montana State when the Bobcats have been nationally-ranked.

STORYLINES
• Portland State will try to turn around the series trend, having dropped five in a row and eight of the last nine to Montana State. The Vikings had won five in a row in the series from 1997 to 2001.
• The other trend the Vikings would like to stop is scoring - the Vikings have given up 171 points and 1,900 yards in the last four meetings with the Bobcats. PSU has also commited 12 turnovers in those games.
• The Bobcats have won the last two meetings in Portland.

VIKINGS HOST BIGGEST GAME IN YEARS AS THIRD-RANKED BOBCATS COME TO JELD-WEN FIELD
After some down seasons, the Portland State Vikings have returned to relevancy in the Big Sky Conference. This Saturday, the Vikings will host their most important game in years as the third-ranked Montana State Bobcats come to JELD-WEN Field. With both teams at 2-0 in Big Sky Conference play, the winner will take sole possession of first place in the league.  Kickoff is set for 1:07 p.m. The game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet (ch. 37/HD 737) as CSN will pick up the Max Media of Montana feed. It will also air on Freedom 970 AM and www.970.am. The pregame show begins at noon. (Other metro-area TV affiliates aside from Comcast are: Beavercreek Cooperative Telephone SD 38/HD 638; Canby Telcom SD 33/HD 733; Oregon Cable Group SD 53/HD 753; Frontier Communications SD 77/HD 577; Wave Broadband SD 37or 45(depending upon location)/HD 737.)
    
Portland State comes off a 42-35 win at Idaho State on Saturday, improving its record to 3-1 overall, 2-0 in the Big Sky. Behind a combined 430 rushing yards from Cory McCaffrey and Connor Kavanaugh, the Vikings have now become a prominent player in the Big Sky Conference title chase.
    
PSU hopes to end a five-game losing streak to a powerhouse Montana State team that also happens to be the defending Big Sky Champions.
    
Montana State is 4-1 overall and has Big Sky wins over defending national champion Eastern Washington and Sacramento State. The Bobcats are ranked third in the nation this season. Quarterback DeNarius McGhee was the Big Sky's co-Offensive Player of the Year in 2010.
    
Portland State has had a good start to the season, ending a seven-game Big Sky Conference losing streak, a six-game Big Sky road losing streak and a five-game losing streak at Idaho State so far. PSU ranks third in the nation in rushing (312.8) and McCaffrey is the nation's individual leader in rushing (169.7 ypg).
    
This week's game begins a very tough stretch for the Vikings as their next four Big Sky games are Montana State, at Montana, at Eastern Washington and Sacramento State.    

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
The Bobcats won the 2010 Big Sky regular season title and automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs (9-3/7-1). They lost to North Dakota State in the playoff round of 16, 42-17.
    
Head Coach Rob Ash has run a very successful program over five seasons, compiling a 33-18 record. He has never lost to PSU (4-0).
    
This year Montana State is the top-ranked team in the Big Sky Conference at third in the nation. At 4-1, MSU has wins over UC Davis, Minot State, Eastern Washington and Sacramento State. The Bobcats only loss was to Pac-12 Utah, 27-10.
    
MSU is solid everywhere, particularly on defense, as it leads the Big Sky in fewest yards allowed (292.8) and fewest points allowed (18.0). The Bobcats are second in run defense (115.6 allowed) and first in pass efficiency defense.
    
Montana State has a very balanced offensive attack, averaging 204.2 yards per game on the ground and 224.2 through the air.
    
Star quarterback DeNarius McGhee, only a sophomore, is 72-127-4 passing for 1,087 yards and eight touchdowns. Elvis Akpla has been McGhee's big-play receiver with 20 catches for 467 yards and five touchdowns.
    
Cody Kirk leads the running game with 89 carries for 512 yards and seven touchdowns.
    
Kicker Jason Cunningham has made 10-12 field goals this year to lead the Big Sky Conference and rank second in the nation. He made a pair of 55-yarders in the win over Eastern Washington.
    
Linebacker Jody Owens has a team-leading 43 tackles and two sacks. Zach Minter's 4.5 sacks leads the team.
    
MSU has 16 sacks through five games and a +2 turnover ratio. Defensive back Steven Bethley has two interceptions and a fumble recovery for three of the Bobcats' eight takeaways.
    
GAME WEEK ACTIVITIES
VIKINGS ON THE RADIO: All Portland State football games can be heard on Freedom 970 AM and www.970.am. The Viking Pregame Show begins one hour prior to kickoff each week... Tom Hewitt (play-by-play) and Mike Lund (analyst) call the action.
VIKINGS ON TELEVISION: Portland State and Comcast SportsNet have teamed up to present a minimum of four Viking football games during the 2011 season. The Vikings can be seen on CSN on Sept. 3 vs. Southern Oregon, Sept. 17 vs. Northern Arizona, Oct. 8 vs. Montana State, and Oct. 15 at Montana. There is a possibility that additional Viking games will be televised on CSN and will be determined later in the season... veteran broadcasters Bob Akamian and Rashad Floyd will be on the call for the first two games. Games against Montana State (Max Media) and Montana (KPAX) will be shared feeds produced by the opponents' television partners... Comcast SportsNet is available in the Portland area on Comcast cable systems, channel 37/HD 737. Other metro-area affiliates aside from Comcast are: Beavercreek Cooperative Telephone SD 38/HD 638; Canby Telcom SD 33/HD 733; Oregon Cable Group SD 53/HD 753; Frontier Communications SD 77/HD 577; Wave Broadband SD 37or 45(depending upon location)/HD 737.
VIKINGS ON THE INTERNET: Live streaming video of all Portland State home and Big Sky Conference games can be seen free at www.b2tv.com... Live stats for Portland State home games are at www.GoViks.com.
NIGEL BURTON WEEKLY ON 750 AM THE GAME: Viking football Coach Nigel Burton can be heard every Monday at 1:30 p.m. on the Dave Smith Show on 750 AM The Game. Burton will review and preview Viking football games.
VIKING COACHES' LUNCHEONS: Viking Coaches Luncheons are scheduled for Monday at noon of every home football week. Coach Nigel Burton, Viking players, and coaches representing other sports will be on hand to speak and take questions. Luncheons take place at The Old Spaghetti Factory at 0715 S.W. Bancroft in Portland. The cost is $10.00 per person and includes lunch and a non-alcoholic beverage.
TICKETS: Tickets for all home games can be purchased in prices ranging from $15 to $50, with youth prices as low as $8. Groups of 15 or more get special admission prices. To purchase tickets by phone, call 1.888.VIK.TIKS or 503.725.3307. Tickets are on sale at the PSU Ticket Office, located in Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway. You can also purchase tickets on-line at www.GoViks.com or at all TicketMaster outlets.
SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS WEEK: The Montana State game on Oct. 8th we are doing a “Green Out'  Fans are encourage to wear green and the first 1000 fans will receive a Green T-shirt... it will also be “Freshman Frenzy” day with a special pre-game tailgate for Portland State freshman... The Coors Light Viking Tailgate will open three hours before every game and will be located outside the Kingston Saloon.  The tailgate area will feature beer, live television, inflatables for the kids, Voodoo Donuts, and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. There will also be a special Student Tailgate party sponsored by 7-11. DJ O.G. ONE, also the official DJ of the Portland Trailblazers, will be the DJ at all home games.

KAVANAUGH NAMED NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Portland State quarterback Connor Kavanaugh has been named The Sports Network National co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Vikings 42-35 win at Idaho State last Saturday. Kavanaugh shares the award with Drake quarterback Mike Piatkowski. Kavanaugh also earned the Big Sky Conference's Offensive Player of the Week Award.
    
Kavanaugh, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior from Portland's Lincoln High School, led a record-breaking effort in the Viking's Big Sky win over the Bengals. He rushed 12 times for career-highs of 212 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, Kavanaugh completed six of 11 passes for 102 yards in the game. His scoring runs came from 33, 43, 5 and 33 yards.
    
Kavanaugh led a tandem attack with running back Cory McCaffrey, who rushed 33 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns. The combo led PSU to a school-record 436 rushing yards in the game. It marked the first time in PSU history that two players have rushed for at least 200 yards in the same game. Kavanaugh and McCaffrey have rushed for at least 100 yards each in five of the seven Big Sky games in which both have started over the last two seasons.
    
Against Idaho State, Kavanaugh averaged an amazing 17.7 yards per carry. For the season, he has 42 carries for 444 yards and five touchdowns for a remarkable 10.6 rushing average. Kavanaugh ranks 16th in the nation in rushing (111.0 per game), while teammate McCaffrey leads the nation in rushing with a 169.7 average.
    
PSU's last National Players of the Week were: Aaron Woods (Special Teams, 2009), Drew Hubel (Offense, 2007 and 2008), and Adam Hayward (Defense, 2006 - twice).

McCAFFREY LEADS THE NATION IN RUSHING
After a 218-yard, two-touchdown effort, Viking running back Cory McCaffrey leads the nation in rushing at 169.7 yards per game. McCaffrey, along with quarterback Connor Kavanaugh, lead a Viking running game that is averaging 312.8 yards per game and ranks third at the NCAA I FCS level.
    
Portland State rushed for a team-record 436 yards in its win over Idaho State on Saturday. The Vikings broke the old record of 432 yards, set in 1995 while competing at the Division II level.
    
Connor Kavanaugh, from Lincoln High School, carried 12 times for career highs of 212 yards and four touchdowns and was named National Player of the Week. McCaffrey, from Sisters High School, had 33 rushes for 218 yards and two touchdowns. It marked the first time in school history that two players have run for 200 yards in the same game.
    
This season, McCaffrey has 76 carries for 509 yards and nine touchdowns in three games. He averages 6.7 yards per carry. Kavanaugh has 42 carries for 444 yards and five touchdowns in four games, averaging an amazing 10.6 yards per carry. Kavanaugh ranks 16th in the nation with 111.0 rushing yards per game. They rank first and third in the Big Sky Conference. McCaffrey, with nine touchdowns in three games, also leads the nation in scoring (18.0 ppg).
    
As a team, PSU is averaging 312.8 rushing yards per game to rank third in the nation behind Georgia Southern (387.0) and Wofford (363.8).
    
After four games, the Vikings lead the Big Sky Conference in rushing, total offense (464.3), scoring offense (34.5), rushing defense (104.8), and tackles for loss (7.8).

FACTS, FIGURES AND CURIOSITIES
WINS AND LOSSES: Portland State's win over Idaho State ended a five-game losing streak at Pocatello. It also ended a six-game Big Sky Conference road losing streak... PSU is 3-1 for the first time since 2006... the Vikings have won back-to-back Big Sky games for the first time since 2007... the Vikings are 2-0 at home, 1-1 on the road and now have more wins (3) than each of the last two years (2-9)... PSU is 53-29 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 26-61 on the road... PSU is 52-65 all-time in Big Sky Conference games in its' 16th season as a member. The Vikings are 33-26 at home, 19-39 on the road in BSC games.

OREGONIAN OFFENSE: Portland State started eight players from the state of Oregon at Idaho State.... They were: Dustin Waldron (Pleasant Hill), Kyle Ritt (Aloha), Adam Kleffner (Portland/Jesuit), Mitch Gaulke (West Linn), Connor Kavanaugh (Portland/Lincoln), Justin Monahan (West Linn), Nevin Lewis (Culver) and SR RB Cory McCaffrey (Sisters). In all, Portland State has 35 Oregonians on its roster.

THE DYNAMIC DUO: The dynamic duo of SR RB Cory McCaffrey and SR QB Connor Kavanaugh have been shredding Big Sky Conference defenses when they play together... in five of the seven Big Sky Conference games that Kavanaugh and McCaffrey have started together over the last two years, each has run for at least 100 yards. In one of the other two games (vs. Eastern Washington last year), Kavanaugh went out with a broken hand in the first period. If you throw out the EWU game, in the other six that both have been healthy, they have combined for 1,832 yards and 20 touchdowns. That is an average of 305.3 yards and 3.3 touchdowns per game. Apparently, the Pistol offense works... McCaffrey is just the fourth Viking in history with at least three 200-yard rushing games (there have been 27 200-yard games)... with 1,348 career rushing yards, Kavanaugh is PSU's all-time quarterback rusher. His 506 yards last season were a school record for a quarterback. This year, he has 444 yards and five touchdowns already... the only time McCaffrey has failed to rush for 100 yards in a Big Sky game was last year at NAU when he went out with injury in the first period.

TOP RUSHING GAMES IN PSU HISTORY
    1.    393    Ryan Fuqua, 2001 @ Eastern Washington
    2.    356    Joe Rubin, 2005 vs. Northern Colorado
    3.    324    Charles Dunn, 2000 vs. Hofstra
    4.    314    Steve Papin, 1995 vs. Arkansas-Monticello
    5.    281    Darick Holmes, 1994 @ Angelo State
    6.    270    Charles Dunn, 2000 vs. Cal State Northridge
        270    Ryan Fuqua, 2001 vs. Cal State Northridge
    8.    264    Ryan Fuqua, 2002 vs. Eastern Washington
    9.    250    Charles Dunn, 1997 vs. Cal State Northridge
    10.    247    Charles Dunn, 1998 vs. Sacramento State
    11.    243    Ryan Fuqua, 2001 vs. Sacramento State
    12.    226    Cory McCaffrey, 2010 vs. Northern Colorado
    13.    225    Curtis Delgardo, 1990 @ Sacramento State
    14.    224    Rais Aho, 1992 vs. Cal Poly
    15.    222    Cory McCaffrey, 2011 vs. Northern Arizona
    16.    218    Cory McCaffrey, 2011 @ Idaho State
    17.    217    Burnell Harvin, 1989 @ Santa Clara
        217    Andy Berkis, 1964 @ Eastern Oregon
    19.    215    Joe Rubin, 2005 vs. Weber State
        215    Curtis Delgardo, 1988 @ Sacramento State
    21.    213    Charles Dunn, 1999 @ Weber State
        213    Charles Dunn, 1999 @ Cal Poly
    23.    212    Connor Kavanaugh, 2011 @ Idaho State

BALANCE IT OUT: PSU has been so good at running the ball, it has been almost unneccesary to pass. But, the Vikings know in the long term they will need to be effective with the pass. So far this year, PSU has run the ball 203 times and passed 91 times. That is a 69/31 run/pass ratio. Last year, it was a 59/41 ratio for the Vikings... the Vikings are averaging 151 yards passing per game on 23 attempts and 13 completions per game.

FLAGS, RAGS AND OTHER FLYING YELLOW OBJECTS: Portland State had to overcome itself as much as anything to pick up a 42-35 win at Idaho State. The Vikings commited 21 penalties for 209 yards in the game.The 21 flags was a new Big Sky Conference record and two shy of the NCAA I FCS record.

FINALLY, THE PLAY THEY NEEDED: Portland State's pass defense was picked on all day by the top passing offense in the Big Sky from Idaho State. Quarterback Kevin Yost kept the Bengals in the game by completing 34-53 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Vikings finally got the big defensive play they needed when JR CB Mike Williams stepped in front of a Yost pass to make an interception with 1:29 to play. That preserved a 42-35 PSU win.

THE RUSH AND SLUSS: Portland State did get pressure on the Idaho State quarterback, making five sacks at Idaho State and 11 tackles for loss. JR LB Ian Sluss led the Vikings with a career-high 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. SO DE Julious Moore made two sacks in the game... JR FS Donte Almond had a career-high nine tackles while JR CB Mike Williams made eight stops, had a pass breakup and a late interception to ice the game.

PLAYING LIKE SAMSON: The long flowing locks on JR WR Justin Monahan are reminiscent of the mighty Samson (although most on the team call him “Twilight” for his resemblance to a certain vampire in a famous movie/book series). Monahan played like Samson at TCU, totaling career-highs of nine receptions for 109 yards. His fourth-and-two catch at the TCU one-yard line in the fourth period kept a drive alive and led to a FR RB Shaquille Richard touchdown run... for the season, Monahan has caught one-third of the Vikings' receptions. He has a team-leading 17 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown.

SOME VERY SPECIAL TEAMS: DT Myles Wade blocked a game-winning field goal attempt by Northern Arizona in the closing seconds  to seal a 31-29 win on Sept. 17. That was one of several special moments by the special teams already this season.
• The Vikings had gone five years without a punt block, but had two in the first two games (in addition to the first field goal block in two years). JR WR Nevin Lewis blocked one in the first game, FR TE Taylor Martinek blocked one in the second game.
• Lewis also made a tackle for loss on a fake punt in the first game.
• The Vikings benefitted from a high snap on a punt attempt in the fourth period at Idaho State. FR WR Ronnie Simmons ran down the ISU punter for a 23-yard loss. The Vikings took over and two plays later SR RB Cory McCaffrey scored the game-winning touchdown.
• The Vikings' JR K Zach Brown is working on a string of 10 straight field goals made, dating to last year. That is a new Portland State record and also extends his career field goal record to 40.
• PSU's kick return team averages 23.3 per return this season. Lewis (27.7) and SR FS DeShawn Shead (25.4) lead the way in that department.
• Lewis and Wade have each earned Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: Portland State was last in the Big Sky Conference in 2010 in rushing defense, allowing around 230 yards per game on the ground. Included were 391 rushing yards by Northern Arizona in the 2010 season finale. On Sept 17, PSU held NAU - playing the same two feature backs as last season - to just 79 rushing yards... this year, through four games, PSU is allowing a respectable 104.8  yards on the ground (and 236.5 through the air). The 341.3 yards allowed per game so far is down from 464.1 last year.

RELYIN' ON RYAN: SR LB Ryan Rau continues to lead the Viking defense. He has been the team-leader in tackles in three of four games and has a team-high 36 this year... Rau passed 200 career tackles against TCU and now has 213 in his career... Rau made two big plays in the second half of the win over Northern Arizona. Early in the third period, following a PSU fumble, NAU had driven to the Viking 27-yard line. Rau blitzed and sacked NAU QB Cary Grossart for a 17-yard loss and the 'Jacks eventually had to settle for a field goal... midway through the third period, the 'Jacks had driven to the Viking 41-yard line and were looking for a tieing score. Rau forced a Giovannie Dixon fumble that was recovered by JR LB Joel Sisler to snuff out the drive... Rau tied his career-high with 12 tackles against NAU.

DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: Portland State is leading the Big Sky Conference in tackles for loss with 7.75 per game... SR SS DeShawn Shead has a Big Sky leading five pass breakups... JR LB Ian Sluss leads the team with 4.5 tackles for loss.

LED BY SHEAD: SR SS DeShawn Shead started his 37th straight game against Northern Arizona. He is the only Viking to start and play in all 37 games over the last four seasons.

ZACH BROWN AND HIS LEG OF RENOWN: JR K Zach Brown hit field goals of 22 and 42 yards at TCU extending his consecutive FG made streak to 10 - a school record. He is now 4-4 kicking this season and has a PSU career record total of 40 field goals. Brown has made 12-13 extra points for 24 total points... with 178 career points he is approaching the PSU top 10 career scoring list.

NEW ATTITUDE AT HOME: Portland State hopes to bring a new attitude to JELD-WEN Field. After going 35-9 at home over Tim Walsh's final eight seasons, 1999-2006 (including two 5-0 marks), the Vikings were just 7-13 at home the last four years (which includes 1-3 at Hillsboro Stadium in 2010). The Vikings have started their six-game home schedule 2-0... Head Coach Nigel Burton now has a 3-3 home record.

THE VIKINGS RECORD ON TV: Since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996, Portland State has appeared on television locally in Portland 38 times. PSU is 16-22 in those games, 10-7 at home, 6-15 on the road... the Vikings broke an 11-game TV losing streak with the win over Southern Oregon. PSU is now 2-0 this season on TV... the Vikings will have at least four games televised in the Portland area, though not this week's game.

THE HUBEL TELESCOPE: With SR QB Drew Hubel (that's HUE-bull, not hubble) back on the field, it is worth taking a closer look at his Portland State career passing statistics. Hubel moved into fourth place in all-time passing yards at PSU with 6,612, passing Terry Summerfield (1982-85)... Hubel also has 43 career touchdown passes to rank sixth all-time... his pass completion total of 502 now ranks fifth all-time at PSU.