complete notes and stats in pdf

Game 11
WEBER STATE WILDCATS (4-6, 4-3) vs. #25 PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (7-3, 5-2)
Saturday, November 19, 2011 • 1:05 p.m. • JELD-WEN Field (18,627), Portland, OR

TELEVISION: None
RADIO: Freedom 970 AM, www.freedom970.com • 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: Weber State leads 19-12 • PSU leads in Portland 8-7 • WSU leads in Ogden 12-4
Big Sky Series: Weber State leads 9-6 • Weber State leads 4-3 in Portland • Weber State leads 5-3 in Ogden

Big Sky Conference games
Oct. 19, 1996: WSU 35-10 @ Portland
Oct. 18, 1997: WSU 16-7 @ Ogden
Oct. 24, 1998: PSU 34-27 @ Portland
Oct. 23, 1999: PSU 31-14 @ Ogden
Oct. 21, 2000: WSU 41-9 @ Ogden
Oct. 20, 2001: PSU 65-43 @ Portland
Nov. 9, 2002: WSU 20-14 @ Ogden
Nov. 8, 2003: WSU 45-21 @ Portland
Nov. 13, 2004: PSU 34-15 @ Ogden
Nov. 12, 2005: PSU 39-14 @ Portland
Sept. 23, 2006: PSU 20-10 @ Ogden
Oct. 27, 2007: WSU 73-68 @ Portland
Nov. 1, 2008: WSU 31-21 @ Ogden
Sept. 26, 2009: WSU 36-29 @ Portland
Oct. 23, 2010: WSU 44-41 @ Ogden

STREAKS
• Weber State has won four straight games in the series with PSU.
• Portland State has won four straight games for the first time since 2004.
• PSU SS DeShawn Shead will start his 44th straight game this Saturday.

LAST YEAR: WEBER STATE 44, PORTLAND STATE 41
The Wildcats have broken the Vikings hearts' in the final seconds the last two years in a row. On both occasions, PSU led inside the final minute only to see Weber State score a winning touchdown. In 2009, the Wildcats scored with 17 seconds left at JELD-WEN Field, turning a 29-28 Viking lead into a 36-29 Viking loss. Last year in Ogden, PSU scored with 1:02 to play to go ahead 41-37. But, WSU ran off six plays for 70 yards, scoring on a two-yard run by Vai Tafuna with 21 seconds to play, winning 44-41. PSU totaled 600 yards of offense in the loss, including 392 yards of total offense from Connor Kavanaugh. Weber State gained 548 yards and outscored the Vikings 22-7 in the fourth quarter to win.

STORYLINES
• Weber State Head Coach Ron McBride has announced his retirement and will be coaching in his final game. He is 42-38  in seven years at Weber State and 130-101 all-time in 20 years as a head coach.
• Weber State has won the last four meetings in the series, including the last two trips to Portland.
• Portland State leads the series, 8-7, in Portland, but trails 4-3 in Big Sky Conference games.
• The 2007 meeting at JELD-WEN Field is the highest-scoring Division I regulation football game in college history, 73-68. Amazingly, that was NOT the most points by either team in the series. Weber State earned a 74-6 win in 1965. A Mouse Davis-coached Portland State team won 75-0 in 1980. A 65-43 win by the Vikings in 2001 at Jeld-Wen was the highest-scoring game in PSU history by two teams, combined, until the 2007 contest.

VIKINGS GO AFTER 8-3 THIS WEEK... PLAYOFFS A POSSIBILITY?
The Portland State Vikings roll into their season finale this Saturday on a four-game winning streak. The Vikings host the Weber State Wildcats in a 1:05 p.m. game at JELD-WEN Field seeking an eight-win season and possible consideration for an NCAA playoff berth. The game airs on Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com.
    
PSU stands at 7-3 on the season, 5-2 in the Big Sky Conference and for the first time since the first week of 2007 are nationally-ranked at 25th. The Vikings have won four in a row for the first time since the last four games of the 2004 season. If they can beat Weber State, and get to 8-3, they would match their best regular season mark ever at the Division I level (also 1999 and 2000). PSU is 4-1 at home this season.
    
Weber State comes to Portland with a 4-6 record, 4-3 in the Big Sky Conference. The Wildcats come off a 34-31 win over Northern Arizona. WSU is 1-4 on the road this season.
    
Recent history has favored Weber State as the Wildcats have won the last four meetings in the series, including the last two at JELD-WEN Field. WSU leads the all-time series, 19-12, and the Big Sky series, 9-6.
    
Portland State's recent run of four victories includes wins over Willamette (36-10), Eastern Washington (43-26), Sacramento State (29-20) and Northern Colorado (23-17).
    
The last time PSU won more than four games in a row within a season was a six-game winning streak to open the 2000 season. At that time, the Vikings climbed all the way to second in the national rankings. PSU also won six in a row over the last four games of the 2001 season and first two games of the 2002 season.

THE NCAA PLAYOFFS
The 20-team NCAA playoffs begin on Nov. 26. Team selections will be announced on Nov. 20 at 7 a.m. PT on ESPNU. The Big Sky Champion receives an automatic berth. Both Montana State and Montana, currently ranked in the top 10, are virtual locks to play in the postseason.
    
The first round of games takes place on Nov. 26 among the lowest eight seeded teams. Those winners would advance to the round of 16 on Dec. 3.

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Weber State comes to JELD-WEN Field with a 4-6 record, 4-3 in the Big Sky Conference. The Wildcats' Head Coach Ron McBride has announced his retirement after seven years at WSU, and 20 overall as a head coach.
    
The Wildcats bring a potent and balanced offense to town, averaging 30 points and well over 400 yards of offense per game.
    
Quarterback Mike Hoke is very efficient, completing more than 62% of his passes for 1,974 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions. His main target has been big-play receiver Shaydon Kehano, who has 38 receptions for 815 yards and seven touchdowns.    
    
Josh Booker leads the Wildcats in rushing with 678 yards, 6.0 yards per carry and five touchdowns. However, CJ Tuckett comes off a huge game against Northern Arizona last Saturday, rushing 27 times for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
    
Weber State ranks 108th in the nation in total defense, allowing 433 yards per game and 32.1 points. The Wildcats' pass defense ranks 115th in the nation. WSU is seventh in all three defensive categories in the Big Sky.
    
Linebacker Anthony Morales has team-highs of 103 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. Trevor Pletcher's 6.5 sacks leads the Wildcats. Pletcher has two blocked kicks, and Caldwell Taylor has four blocked kicks for the special teams unit.

GAME WEEK ACTIVITIES
VIKINGS ON THE RADIO: All Portland State football games can be heard on Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com. 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 five 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, Oct. 15 at Montana and Oct. 29 at Eastern Washington... veteran broadcasters Bob Akamian and Rashad Floyd will be on the call for the first two games. Games against Montana State (Max Media), Montana (KPAX) and Eastern Washington (SWX) 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 Weber State game will be Senior Day as Portland State recognizes its' senior players competing in their final home game... The Vik Walk begins on the Park Blocks with the team at 10:30 a.m. The team will walk to JELD-WEN Field and fans are welcome to join... 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... DJ O.G. ONE, also the official DJ of the Portland Trailblazers, will be the DJ at all home games.'

KAVANAUGH SETS ANOTHER QB RUSHING RECORD, REACHES 1000
SR QB Connor Kavanaugh has set another Big Sky Conference record for quarterback rushing, this time for career yards. He had already set the season record for quarterback rushing yards. With 132 yards in the win at Northern Colorado, Kavanaugh now has 1,028 rushing yards this season. He has 1,932 career rushing yards. Both marks are Portland State and Big Sky Conference records.
    
Kavanaugh also became the tenth player in Portland State history to reach 1,000 yards in a season. It marks the 17th time there has been a 1,000-yard rushing season at PSU. Kavanaugh ranks 12th on PSU's career rushing list and 15th on the season rushing list.

Top Rushing Quarterbacks In Big Sky Conference History, Season
    1.     Connor Kavanaugh, Portland State    2011    1,028
    2.     Lance Kriesien, Northern Arizona    2007    686
    3.     Travis Lulay, Montana State    2005    611
    4.     Ken Hobart, Idaho    1981    593
    5.     Dave Stireman, Weber State    1985    512
    6.    Connor Kavanaugh, Portland State    2010    506

Top Rushing Quarterbacks In Big Sky Conference History, Career
    1.     Connor Kavanaugh, Portland State    2008-11    1,932
    2.     Ken Hobart, Idaho    1980-83    1,826

BROWN LEADS NATION IN FIELD GOALS MADE, POTW AGAIN
After kicking three important second-half field goals and breaking his own season record, Portland State kicker Zach Brown now is tied for the national lead for field goals made with 20. Brown made all three field goals, including a 51-yarder, in the Vikings' 23-17 win at Northern Colorado on Saturday. That improved his season total to 20, breaking the school record of 18 he set each of the last two seasons.
    
For the second time in three weeks, Brown was named the Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Weekfor his performance. He has won the honor six times in his three-year career.
    
Brown, a junior from McNary (OR) High School, is tied with Cameron Yaw of Samford, who has made 20-25 this season through 10 games. Brown has made 20-23, with his only misses from 46 yards or longer. Brown is also 15th in the nation in scoring with an average of 8.6 points per game.
    
With 56 career field goals, Brown also holds that Portland State record. He has made six career field goals from 50 yards or longer, also a school record; and his .757 conversion percentage (56-74) is a school record.

SENIOR DAY THIS SATURDAY
Portland State will have 27 seniors playing in their final regular season home game this Saturday at JELD-WEN Field. Ten of the seniors are four-year letterwinners and 11 have been full-time starters. They will be honored prior to the game. Included are:

    1    Cory McCaffrey     RB    5-9    185    SR    3V    Sisters, OR (Sisters)
    A two-year starter before left achilles injury cut hoim down... had 2,018 rushing yards in just 16 games as the feature back.    
    6    Connor Kavanaugh    QB    6-0    185    SR    3V    Portland, OR (Lincoln)    
Starting quarterback the last two seasons... ignited the Pistol Offense with nearly 2,000 rushing yards and 2,400 passing yards and 24 total touchdowns.
    7    Justin Engstrom    QB    6-5    210    SR    2V    Scappoose, OR (Scappoose/Oregon State)
A backup quarterback for three seasons, had one career start, played in 12 games.
    13    Drew Hubel    QB    6-5    205    SR    3V    Corvallis, OR (Corvallis)    
A full-time starter for two years, has played in 30 games... ranks fourth all-time in passing yards (6,666) and sixth in passing touchdowns (44) at PSU.
    15    Manoa Latu    FS    6-1    205    SR    1V    Kapahulu, HI (Saint Louis/Mt. SAC)
Part-time starter over two seasons, has nearly 100 tackles.
    17    Robert Truax    K    5-7    175    SR    3V    West Linn, OR (West Linn)    
A backup kicker, has played in nine career games with three starts.
    18    Ricky Cookman    WR    5-11    195    SR    3V    Clackamas, OR (Clackamas/Boise State)
An injury caused him to miss a large part of this season, but has 20 career catches.
    21    David Ross    CB    6-0    190    SR    1V    Compton, CA (Dominguez/Oregon St.)
A two-year starter at cornerback, has 67 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception.
    24    DeShawn Shead    SS    6-2    210    SR    3V    Palmdale, CA (Highland)    
Started every game of his four year career (this will be his 44th)... has 207 tackles, 11 interceptions (2 TDs), five fumble recoveries, 29 pass breakups and four forced fumbles.
    27    Donte Almond    SS    6-2    195    SR    1V    Milpitas, CA (Milpitas/Foothill JC)
Took over a starting role this year... has 57 tackles and two interceptions in his career.
    28    Willie Griffin    RB    5-8    195    SR    1V    Oakland, CA (McClymonds/Washington)
A backup running back until recent weeks when he has taken over as a starter... has 512 yards and three touchdowns as a Viking.
    34    Ryan Rau    LB    6-1    230    SR    3V    Folsom, CA (Folsom)    
Played in more than 40 games and a starter at middle linebacker for three years... has led team in tackles three years in a row and has 255 total as a Viking.
    44    Shane Melbo    LB    6-1    220    SR    1V    Escondido, CA (San Pasqual/Palomar JC)
Mainly a backup linebacker, but has 52 tackles, including 11 for losses in two seasons.
    47    Myles Wade    DT    6-1    300    GR    TR    Portland, OR (Central Catholic/Texas Tech)    
A graduate of Texas Tech, he came back to PSU for his final year of eligibility. Played a key role as a full-time starter on a much improved defense. has 28 tackles, two sacks and two blocked kicks.
    48    Braedyn Eagle    LS    6-2    240    SR    3V    Carlsbad, CA (Carlsbad)    
Served as the team's long snapper for four years.
    53    Kevin Konrath    LB    6-3    230    SR    2V    Chicago, IL (Brother Rice/Harper JC)
A backup linebacker and special teams player for three seasons, has 17 career tackles
    58    Anthony Davis    LB    5-11    220    SR    2V    Billings, MT (Normative Prep/Glendale CC)
A special teams performer for three seasons.
    61    Adam Kleffner    OL    6-3    310    SR    3V    Portland, OR (Jesuit)    
Has played in 32 career games including 19 starts, mainly over the last two years.
74        Antonio Danek    OL    6-4    295    SR    SQ    Milwaukie, OR (Central Catholic/Northern Arizona)
Injuries have prevented him from spending any meaningful time on the field, but has been a member of the program the last three years.
    79    Dustin Waldron    OL    6-6    280    SR    3V    Pleasant Hill, OR (Marist)
Top offensive lineman the last three years... played in 37 games, starting 31 in a row until he went out with a knee injury earlier this year at Eastern Washington.
    81    Antwun Baker    WR    5-8    175    GR    HS    Fresno, CA (North Hollywood)
A graduate student, he played his first year of collegiate football at Portland State, seeing action on special teams and wide receiver.
    82    Tyler Cope    K    6-1    180    SR    TR    Portland, OR (Jesuit/Colorado/SJSU)
First-year player and backup kicker who has seen action in three games.
    88    Kyle McMillin    TE    6-2    240    SR    1V    Merced, CA (Golden Valley/Merced JC)
Backup tight end and special teams player the past two seasons... has four receptions this season.
    91    Tree Thomas    TE    6-8    250    SR    HS    Oakland, CA (San Leandro)    
Joined the team after playing basketball at PSU for two years... has two catches as a backup tight end.
    93    Carl Sommer    DE    6-4    260    SR    2V    Wilsonville, OR (Wilsonville/Oregon St.)
A promising senior season was wiped out with a back injury... a starter last year, he had 46 tackles, 11 for loss and four sacks... 56 tackles in 20 career games.
    97    Alika Vaiese    DT    6-1    280    SR    1V    Kalini, HI (Education Lab/Palomar JC)
Has started 11 of 21 career games at defensive tackle... has made 25 tackles, including six for losses.    99        Jack Forbes    DE    6-3    225    SR    1V    Pacifica, CA (Terra Nova/C. of San Mateo)
A two-year starter at defensive end, he has had a strong senior season with 36 tackles and three sacks.. 56 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries in his career.

FACTS, FIGURES AND CURIOSITIES
WINS AND LOSSES: Portland State went 3-2 on the road - its first winning road record since going 4-3 in 2006... PSU's 3-1 Big Sky road record matches its best ever (also 2000 and 2006)... with seven wins, PSU has more than the last two years combined (4-18), and the most since going 7-4 in 2006 under Tim Walsh... the Vikings are 4-1 at home... PSU is 55-30 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 28-62 on the road... PSU is 55-67 all-time in Big Sky Conference games in its' 16th season as a member. The Vikings are 34-27 at home, 21-40 on the road in BSC games.

GUARANTEED GOOD: Portland State is guaranteed of a winning season for the first time since 2006. At 7-3, the Vikings now have eight winning records in 16 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference. PSU can match its best Division I regular season record (8-3 in 1999 and 2000) with a win in its final game.

GOOD STARTS: Portland State was down 7-0 to Northern Colorado at the end of the first quarter last Saturday, but the Vikings have still outscored opponents 94-32 in the first quarter this season. While 47 of those points have come in non-conference games against Southern Oregon and Willamette, PSU has a 47-32 advantage on its other seven opponents, pitching six first-quarter shutouts and leading seven of 10 games after the first quarter... PSU's first quarter advantages have been: 31-0 vs. Southern Oregon; 14-0 vs. Northern Arizona; 3-0 vs. TCU; 10-7 vs. Montana State; 6-0 vs. Montana; 16-0 vs. Willamette; and 9-0 vs. Sacramento State.

WHAT'S THE SCORE?: Portland State has scored 29 or more points in seven of 10 games this year, and 40 or more three times. It is the first time PSU has scored at least 40 points three times since 2005... the only times the Vikings failed to reach 29 was in a 55-13 loss at TCU, 30-24 loss at Montana and 23-17 win over Northern Colorado.

NEW LOOK RUNNING GAME: The Vikings appear to be surviving the injury to star running back Cory McCaffrey, totaling 942 rushing yards in four games since he went down... SR RB Willie Griffin has rushed for 61, 84, 92 and 73 yards in the four games (310). FR RB Shaquille Richard had 85 and 58 yards in two games but just 15 in the last two (157). SR QB Connor Kavanaugh has been as good as ever with 37, 154, 89 and 132 over the last four games (412)... in all, the average has been 235.5 yards per game over the last four.

RECORD RUNS: Portland State's Pistol offense has been conducive to big rushing numbers and a handful of new rushing records this season. To wit:
• Portland State has set a new season rushing record with 2,606 yards. The old mark was 2,248 yards (204.4 ypg), set in 2004.
• The Vikings established a single game rushing record with 436 yards at Idaho State on 58 carries (6 TDs). The old mark was 431 yards.
• SR QB Connor Kavanaugh has set new PSU and Big Sky Conference records for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,028) and a career (1,932).
• The Vikings had the first-ever 200-200 rushing game in school history when Cory McCaffrey (218) and Connor Kavanaugh (212) each reached that totla in the win over Idaho State.

FINISHING: Portland State's mantra this year has been “finish” as in finish every game strong to secure the win. The Eastern Washington win showed the team has taken it to heart. After getting just three points on two trips inside the Eastern Washington five-yard line and falling behind 14-3, the Vikings came back with strong play on offense, special teams and defense. PSU totaled 499 yards of offense, blocked another punt, recovered a pooch kickoff, and shut down Eastern Washington's running game for a 43-26 road win... PSU trailed Northern Colorado, 14-13, heading into the fourth quarter last Saturday but pulled out a 23-17 win... Last year, PSU had four games that it lost in the late-going in which a stronger finish might have made the difference. This year, PSU has the word FINISH on the front of every helmet. In PSU's first two Big Sky Conference games, the Vikings made plays late to “finish” and pick up wins against Northern Arizona and Idaho State. The following two Big Sky games, both losses, the Vikings played the top two teams in the conference, nationally-ranked Montana State and Montana, down to the wire. In those two, the outcomes were losses in painfully close fashion, by a combined eight points.

SOME VERY SPECIAL TEAMS: New Special Teams Coordinator Stacy Collins might be the Viking coaching staff's “Coach of the Year” so far this season. His special teams have been terrific throughout the season. Here are some season highlights:
• With eight total blocks (six punt, two FG), PSU ranks second in the nation at the FCS level.
• The Vikings had gone five years without a punt block, but now have six this season. JR WR Nevin Lewis has three blocked punts, JR LB Dionte Brooks has two and FR TE Taylor Martinek has one.
• PSU has snuffed out two fake punt attempts by opponents this year. Meanwhile, the Vikings have converted two fake punts.
• The Vikings hadn't blocked a field goal in two years, but now have two in 2011, both by GR DT Myles Wade. Wade's block in the closing moments against Northern Arizona allowed the Vikings to hang on for the win. He also had one against Montana State.
• The Vikings' JR K Zach Brown had a school-record string of 16 straight field goals made, including his first 10 this season. Brown is 20-23 this year extending his career field goal record to 56 and setting a new single-season record. His only misses are from 46 yards or longer. He leads the Big Sky in field goals and ranks second in the nation.
• 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.
• PSU's kick return team averages 23.1 per return this season. Lewis (24.7) and SR FS DeShawn Shead (26.1) lead the way in that department.
• Lewis, Wade and Brown (twice) have all earned Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season.

LED BY SHEAD: SR SS DeShawn Shead has started 43 straight games and is the only Viking to start and play in every game over the last four seasons. His performance against Sacramento State was one of his best as he was named Big Sky Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week. Shead had eight tackles, a sack, a pass breakup and an interception in the fourth quarter to seal the win... he followed that up with a career-best tying nine tackles at Northern Colorado, and made the key defensive play, returning an interception 74 yards for a touchdown in the 23-17 win... Shead now has 207 tackles, 11 interceptions, 29 pass breakups, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles in his career... this season he ranks second on the team in tackles with 60, and first in pass breakups with eight.  

RELYIN' ON RYAN: SR LB Ryan Rau made a career-high 17 tackles, including two tackles for loss, at Montana. His 17 stops tied for the eighth most in PSU history for a game... Rau continues to lead the Viking defense. He has been the team-leader in tackles in five games and has a team-high 78 this year. He also has six tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery... Rau now has 255 tackles in his career... Rau was also the team-leader in tackles each of the last two years (72 in 2009, 83 in 2010).

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: Portland State was last in the Big Sky Conference in 2010 in rushing defense, allowing 232.9 yards per game on the ground. Included were 391 rushing yards by Northern Arizona in the 2010 season finale. On Sept 17 this year, PSU held NAU - playing the same two feature backs as last season - to just 79 rushing yards. That set the tone for a much-improved defense in 2011... this year, PSU is allowing a respectable 123.6 yards on the ground (and 225 through the air). The 349 yards allowed per game so far is down 115 yards from 464 last year.

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... he had a big game with eight receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns at Eastern Washington. His first TD catch was on a tipped pass intended for Kalua Noa in the endzone. After Noa touched it, three Eagles players also touched it. Monahan was the fifth player to touch the ball when he secured the grab on a 14-yard touchdown... Monahan totaled a career-high 154 yards on six catches against Sacramento State... at Northern Colorado, Monahan made nine more catches for 71 yards and a touchdown... for the season, Monahan has a team-leading 47 catches for 627 yards and five touchdowns. He has 35% of PSU's receptions and 38% of PSU's receiving yards.

HE CAN DO IT ALL: JR WR Nevin Lewis is making his name as a do-it-all Viking. He has been brilliant on special teams, blocking three punts, snuffing out a fake punt with a tackle for loss and making three tackles in all. He also has 24 kick returns for an average of 24.7 per return...  as a receiver, Lewis has 16 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown this season. He has one rush for seven yards and, at Eastern Washington, completed a 14-yard touchdown pass on a reverse play... Lewis has sat out the last two games with a variety of injuries and will hope to be ready to go this week against Weber State.

GAULKE EARNS ACADEMIC HONORS: SO C Mitch Gaulke was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 team last week for his achievement in the classroom and on the field. Gaulke, from West Linn High School, has started all 10 games at center this year, leading the Big Sky Conference's top rushing offense. He also maintains a 3.76 GPA in Business Administration: Accounting. He is the first Viking to win Academic All-District honors since 2007 (Jordan Senn, Cole Smith, Micheal Dorsey). District 8 includes all Division I football schools in the western region. Gaulke will now be eligible for the national ballot which will be voted on later this month.  

FLAGS, RAGS AND OTHER FLYING YELLOW OBJECTS: Portland State has had problems with penalties this season, but did fairly well at Northern Colorado with just six penalties for 62 yards. On the season, the Vikings have 114 penalties for 1,062 yards (11.4-106.2 per game)... PSU 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.

NEW ATTITUDE AT HOME: Portland State is bringing 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 are now 4-1 in their home... Head Coach Nigel Burton now has a 5-4 home record.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT REEL
OPENING WITH A BANG: Portland State re-opened newly-remodeled JELD-WEN Field for football with a big bang, beating Southern Oregon, 52-0 (9/3). The Vikings rolled up 597 yards of offense, including 335 on the ground and forced three SOU turnovers. PSU scored 31 points in the first 14 minutes of the game and never looked back.

SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMER: JR WR Nevin Lewis, who was the Vikings' top kick returner last year, showed he is a versatile special teams performer. Lewis did not have an opportunity for a return as PSU shut out Southern Oregon in the opener (9/3), but he had an impact elsewhere. Lewis blocked a punt and recorded a tackle on a fake punt attempt leading to a pair of Portland State touchdowns. In the first quarter, Southern Oregon tried a fake punt from its own 33-yard line. Lewis made the stop at the 27-yard line. Three plays later, Portland State scored to take a 17-0 lead. On Southern Oregon's next punt, Lewis broke through for the block. PSU took over at the Southern Oregon 8-yard line, and scored soon after to take a 24-0 lead.

THE OPENING GAME'S BEST STORY OF ALL: When JR OL Joey Esposito trotted onto the field for the opening snap on offense against Southern Oregon, few Viking fans noticed. Such is the anonymity of the offensive lineman. However, those familiar with Joey's story know it was the best one in a day filled with good Viking anecdotes.
    Esposito was playing in his first game since signing a national letter of intent with Portland State in 2010. Shortly after competing in spring football that year, Esposito was diagnosed with cancer for the SECOND TIME in his life. Having previously battled testicular cancer, Esposito this time was told he had a spot on his lung.
    The 6-4, 300-pound Esposito had previously overcome the insidious disease while in junior college. This time, he underwent chemotherapy throughout the summer of 2010 and eventually surgery to remove a piece of his lung.
    Not surprisingly, Esposito was unable to do anything football-related for the rest of the year. He returned for spring football this year, and despite being weak, showed promise. He was lauded for his resiliency in features by the Oregonian newspaper and KGW TV Sports during spring ball.
    “I pretty much had to start all over again,” Esposito told Ian Ruder of the Oregonian. “I wanted to come back and play football but I had to go through every day like it was my first day. I had to take my time getting into it and not rush. It took a while to get back into but this is what I do, this is who I am.”  
    Now with a clean bill of health, and after six months of preparation, Esposito, a native of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, is writing a new story in his life all over again.

RUNNING WILD: SR RB Cory McCaffrey and SR QB Connor Kavanaugh combined for 356 rushing yards in a 31-29 win over Northern Arizona in the Big Sky Conference opener (9/17). McCaffrey scored four touchdowns while Kavanaugh set a new career rushing high. It marked the fourth time in six Big Sky games together in the backfield that the two have had at least 100 yards each. McCaffrey was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week.

BLOCK PARTY: When GR DT Myles Wade blocked a late Northern Arizona field goal to secure a 31-29 Viking win (9/17), it marked the third block by a Viking in two games. Wade was named Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week. PSU also had a blocked punt in the game by FR TE Taylor Martinek. In the opener, JR WR Nevin Lewis also blocked a punt. Prior to that, PSU had not blocked a punt in five years, or a field goal in two years.

A RECORD RUN: SR QB Connor Kavanaugh and SR RB Cory McCaffrey became the first Viking teammates in history to rush for over 200 yards in the same game in a 42-35 win at Idaho State. McCaffrey rushed 33 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner from 34 yards out with 1:52 to play. Kavanaugh rushed 12 times for career-highs of 212 yards and four touchdowns (as well as completing 6-11 passes for 102 yards). PSU's 436 rushing yards were a new PSU record for a single game. Kavanaugh was named Big Sky Conference and National Player of the Week for his performance.

NO KICK ZONE: Portland State blocked two punts (Nevin Lewis, Dionte Brooks) and one field goal (Myles Wade) in a 38-36 loss to Montana State (10/8). That increased PSU's blocked kick total to six on the season (including two each by Lewis and Wade).

2K CORY: SR RB Cory McCaffrey became the 10th Viking in history to pass 2,000 career rushing yards with a 25-carry, 103-yard, one touchdown effort at Montana (10/15). McCaffrey has 2,018 career rushing yards in just 16 games as the Vikings' feature back.

DOUBLING UP: Portland State increased its win total to four with a 36-10 victory over Willamette (10/22). That matches the program's win total for the last two years combined (4-18). PSU outgained Willamette, 485-212, in the victory.

KAVANAUGH ENGINEERS BIG WIN: SR QB Connor Kavanaugh ran 24 times for 154 yards and completed 16 of 23 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in leading the Vikings to a 43-26 win over defending national champion Eastern Washington (10/29). PSU trailed 14-3 in the second period, but Kavanaugh led the Vikings on 10-, 11- and 12-play scoring drives later in the game to take command. PSU totaled 499 yards of offense.

BROWN, SISLER BURN UP INFERNO TURF: JR LB Joel Sisler and JR K Zach Brown burned up the red inferno turf in the Vikings' 43-26 win over Eastern Washington (10/29) Both were named Big Sky Conference Players of the Week. Sisler earned Defensive Player of the Week after returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown, making five tackles and a sack in the victory. He intercepted Bo Levi Mitchell and returned it for a touchdown with 5:17 remaining in the third quarter to give the Vikings an insurmountable 36-20 lead. Brown was Special Teams Player of the Week after making three field goals (38, 38, 41) and three extra points. He also executed a pooch kick that was recovered by the Vikings in the third quarter. It was Brown's fifth career Player of the Week honor.

SHEAD SWATS THE HORNETS: Portland State's defense turned in another solid performance, holding Sacramento State to 307 yards of total offense. The “D” essentially gave up only six points in the 29-20 win (11/5). One Sacramento State score came on an interception return for touchdown, and a second came after the Hornets recovered a PSU fumble on the one-yard line. SR SS DeShawn Shead sealed the win with a late interception to go with eight tackles, a sack and pass breakup. He was named Big Sky Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.

ANOTHER BIG PLAY: SR SS DeShawn Shead returned an interception 74 yards for the decisive score in a 23-17 victory over Northern Colorado (11/12). The play came with 3:54 to play and gave the Vikings a 23-14 lead. Shead also tied a career-high with nine tackles.

MORE RECORDS FALL: JR K Zach Brown set another record when he reached 20 field goals for the season at Northern Colorado (11/12). That broke his own school record of 18 field goals set twice. Brown was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance. Meanwhile, SR QB Connor Kavanaugh broke the Big Sky career rushing record for quarterbacks by climbing to 1,932 yards.

BACK WHERE THEY BELONG: For the first time since the first week of the 2007 season, the Portland State football team appeared in the Sports Network's Top 25 poll (25th on Nov. 14).