COMING UP
• Hear Viking quarterback Connor Kavanaugh on 750 AM The Game on Friday at 3:05 p.m.
• Viking Football scrimmages on Saturday morning at Stott Community Field
• PRACTICE: Wednesday and Thursday 3-6 p.m.; Friday 10:30-12:30 and 5:30-8 p.m.; Saturday 10:30-1.

Just three days into fall camp, and Portland State Football Coach Nigel Burton has had several reasons to smile already. The Vikings are looking for a big upgrade from last year's 2-9 season and Burton believes the team is on its way to achieving that.

Two of the areas that needed to be addressed in the off-season were an inferior run defense, and creating a more serious downfield passing threat. Several newcomers have shown in early practices that those areas should be bright spots in 2011.

Look no further than the middle of the defensive line for a strong addition in transfer tackle Myles Wade (6-1, 300). A native of Portland, Wade has made the Vikings bigger, stronger and more athletic. But beyond that, Burton likes the leadership aspect that Wade brings.

"The first thing that Myles brings is a vocal leadership that is needed, especially within our defense," said Burton. "He knows a lot of these guys. He grew up with a lot of them and he feels comfortable talking to them. He knows Adam Kleffner, Carl Sommer, Connor… a lot of guys. Then, of course, he brings a lot of size and athleticism. Really, his get off (the ball snap) has been phenomenal."

With several returners on both sides of the ball, there has been a significant upgrade in depth. Nowhere is that more apparent than at linebacker - another key area to stopping the run.

JC transfer Khalil Bass (6-2, 230) and redshirt Ian Sluss (6-0, 225) bring depth and have remarkable versatility.

"Khalil is kind of just an animal on the field," Burton said. "He is smart, he is tough, the kids respect him. He runs well. He understands the game. The best thing he gives us the ability to play several positions. I think our biggest issue (as coaches) is that he adapts so well, what is going to be the best spot for him and give him the best chance to play?"

Burton likens Sluss to Bass in terms of athleticism, smarts and toughness. He also feels that Jeremy Boone (6-4, 260), another JC transfer, will bring a lot of athleticism to the defensive end position.

In the secondary, star defensive back DeShawn Shead has made what appears to be a permanent move to strong safety. That means veterans Mike Williams and David Ross will need some support at cornerback. Enter JC transfer Aaron Kincy (6-1, 190).

Said Burton: "Aaron has done a nice job. Typically, the JC guys struggle with the structure and discipline of 'we do things this way' and they just do their own thing. Aaron is playmaker, but is starting to buy into the structure and discipline and understanding of it all. He will push to start."

Athleticism is truly the word at wide receiver. In fact, when the Viking coach was asked to describe his top three newcomers, grayshirt freshman Roston Tatum (6-2, 205), true freshman Alex Toureen (6-0, 180) and JC transfer Kenny Davis (6-2, 190), his answers were simple: "Dude. Dude. And Dude." Meaning, of course, those three bring the full package of size, speed, skill and hands.

"All three of those guys - in addition to (transfer) Antwun Baker, and Nevin Lewis being back and healthy - make our speed so much different now. (The defensive coaches) were laughing about it - almost complaining, 'we don't see this kind of speed very often.' So it has been a pain in the rear to the secondary.

"Not only are they deep threat guys, but they know how to go get the ball. When the ball goes up they are going and getting it. Alex is light years ahead of most freshmen in terms of how to run routes. He has probably been one of the biggest playmakers in practice… and making those spectacular, highlight reel catches."

That added size and deep threat ability on the outside means strong-armed senior quarterback Drew Hubel - who is throwing very well, by the way - has more weapons if/when he gets the opportunity to play.

The offensive line has four returning starters and three other players who earned starts in 2010 competing for playing time. But Burton sees the possibility of a newcomer breakthrough there as well. "Anthony Moxley (JC transfer, 6-6, 315) has done a nice job and he has more than a chance to play. Cornelius Edison (freshman, 6-3, 285) is a guy that early on will probably travel. We hope to redshirt him, but physically and mentally he is ready."

Speaking of freshmen that look ready, Burton has marveled at the skills of tailback Shaquille Richard (5-8, 175). "Shaq Richard is special with his feet and the ability he has at top speed. We want to be three-deep at tailback. He might give us that."

Reviewing his team's needs for the 2011, Burton summed it up succinctly.

"We wanted to increase athleticism and the deep threat at receiver. It is check, check there.

"We had to improve the run defense, and we have done that up front, with depth at the linebacker spot and moving some guys around in the secondary to get the best four on the field. So far, so good… Its all speculation though until you put them in the first live scrimmage."

SATURDAY SCRIMMAGE: Portland State will have its first live scrimmage this Saturday at Stott Community Field. Practice begins at 10:30 a.m. The Vikings will do live special teams beginning at approximately 11:20, then live scrimmaging following that. After the scrimmage, the Viking coaching staff will host a free barbecue at the Stott Center for high school and youth football coaches from Oregon and Washington. The barbecue will run from 1-2 p.m. and will be an opportunity to meet PSU coaches and players. High school and youth coaches are also invited to come back to the Viking coaching offices and view scrimmage film with PSU coaches. For details, contact Director of Football Operations Jim Fiscella at 503-725-4700 or fiscella@pdx.edu.

FEAR THE BEARD: When Portland State opponents try to come through the right side of the Vikings line, they will have to deal with an impressive pair of bearded defenders: seniors Carl Sommer and Myles Wade. Sommer, from Wilsonville, is PSU's top returner in terms of tackles for loss (11) and sacks (4) in 2010. Wade, from Central Catholic, played two seasons at Texas Tech and started twice last season for the Red Raiders. What the pair have in common - besides facial hair - are size and strength and, perhaps even the intimidation factor.

IT'S OFFICIAL, KAV DONS THE SIX: Portland State senior quarterback Connor Kavanaugh will wear jersey number six this season in recognition of Viking football great Chris Crawford, who is on the comeback trail from a bone marrow transplant. Kavanaugh, PSU's starting quarterback in 2010, has worn jersey number 10 for the past three seasons, but switched to number six during spring practice in support of Crawford. Prior to fall camp, Kavanaugh decided to make the switch permanent for 2011, his final collegiate season. Crawford has been battling a form of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), which affects the bone marrow and blood. MDS is a precursor to leukemia. Diagnosed in November 2010, Crawford underwent the bone marrow transplant in April at Oregon Health Science University. A graduate of Portland's Sunset High School, Crawford is one of the all-time great football players at Portland State. As an All-American quarterback, he was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award given to the best Division II player in the nation in 1987 and 1988. Crawford led the Vikings to the Division II National Championship game in both '87 and '88 and during his career passed for 7,543 yards and 48 touchdowns. He was inducted into the PSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. Changing his jersey number to honor Crawford was a no-brainer for Kavanaugh. “It is just a tribute to Chris as one of great players in PSU history. He is going through a tough time right now and he needs the support of the PSU football family and the community,” he said. It is appropriate that Kavanaugh, also a Portlander from Lincoln High School, honors Crawford. They have the exact playing size; both 6-foot, 185 pounds and smallish by college standards. More than that however, they are both extremely upbeat, spirited personalities with great leadership qualities. “Chris is one the first guys I remember from the Greg Barton football camps,” said Kavanaugh, referring to the annual quarterback camps he attended as a youth. “The energy and passion that Chris had for football inspired me to play quarterback.” Prior to getting injured in last season's eighth game, Kavanaugh completed 60% of his passes for 1,109 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for 506 yards and four touchdowns. Kavanaugh earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference. Crawford is a long-time sales manager at Nike. He and his wife, Kristen, have two children, Payton and Carson.

TWEET, HE SAID: Want more from the Viking Head Coach? Nigel Burton has joined the Twitterscape, launching his own Twitter account. Burton can be followed by signing up at www.Twitter.com/CoachBurton_PSU.