From the beginning of first-and-goal situations, through special teams and the scrimmage proper, Portland State football went nose-to-nose for almost two-and-a-half hours on Saturday at Stott Community Field. As a result, the Viking coaching staff will have enough film to look at for the remainder of the weekend as it breaks down, analyzes and makes adjustments to its team's play.

"For the first scrimmage, I was pretty pleased," said third-year Head Coach Nigel Burton. "The first thing I wanted to do was keep the momentum going that we had built up through camp. We have some young guys getting a lot of reps so they slowed the pace down a little bit, but we got done what we wanted to get done."

While the defense was solid early, particularly stopping the run, the offense came through with some big plays and a handful of scores. Three of those scoring drives were led by freshmen quarterback Paris Penn, while the other freshman, Kieran McDonagh, also looked good.

In fact, Penn led scoring drives during all three of his series'. The first series was completed by All-American kicker Zach Brown, who booted a 53-yard field goal on his first kick of camp. Later, Penn started the offense on a drive from the five-yard line. He completed back-to-back passes to leading receiver Justin Monahan for 41 and 48 yards. Two plays later, Jordan Lewis ran it in from six yards for a touchdown.

Penn, a 6-foot, 205-pounder from Grant High School, also led the final series in a two-minute drill situation. He drove the team 60 yards, completing 4-5 passes. He hit tight end Gage Loftin on a sprint out left from 11 yards to score on the scrimmage's final play. In all, Penn was 8-12 for 158 yards and two scores.

Meanwhile, the other freshman, McDonagh was 5-7 for 35 yards and rushed five times for 39 yards. His longest drive ended in a missed field goal.

"You know what? Those two young quarterbacks are making it interesting on us," said Burton when discussing what is now a five-way battle at quarterback. "(It will come to) their ability to master the offense. Talent-wise there is no question they have what it takes."

Also leading an impressive drive was sophomore quarterback Josh Milhollin, who needed just two plays to get the Viking offense into the endzone. Milhollin hit tight end Kalua Noa who gained most of his 32 yards after the catch. On the next play, a 38-yard post to Nevin Lewis resulted in a touchdown. Milhollin also gave one up, as senior linebacker Khalil Bass picked off a crossing pattern and returned the interception 40 yards for a defensive touchdown.

Senior quarterback Nick Green led a quality drive that went exclusively on the ground. Seven running plays netted 70 yards. Justin Lilley opened the series with a big 26-yard scamper and Green took a keeper 26 yards for the only other score of the scrimmage. Lilley was the leading rusher on the day with five carries for 46 yards. Green had five carries for 40 yards.

In addition to the interception, the defense came up with five sacks during the scrimmage. Linebackers Ian Sluss and Jaycob Shoemaker each had six tackles.

"The defensive line created some pressure and I thought the linebackers played really well getting a pick six. We have to shore some things up in the secondary," said Burton. "Right now that is a key to the deal. Guys need to pay attention to the details. Short of the big plays, I thought the defense played outstanding. It was a great scrimmage, top to bottom. We saw playmakers, we saw the ability to run the football, we saw the ability to stop the run."

Portland State will resume practice on Monday with a double. Practice times are 10:30-12:30 and 5:30-8:00. Practice times, listed below, are subject to change.

PORTLAND STATE PRACTICE TIMES
Aug. 13    10:30-12:30, 5:30-8 p.m.
Aug. 14    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 15    10:30-12:30, 5:30-8 p.m.
Aug. 16    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 17    10:30-12:30, 5:30-8 p.m.
Aug. 18    Scrimmage 10:30 a.m., Alumni barbecue 1 p.m.
Aug. 19    Off Day
Aug. 20    10:30-12:30, 5:30-8 p.m.
Aug. 21    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 22    10:30-12:30, 5:30-8 p.m.
Aug. 23    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 24    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 25    11 a.m., Youth clinic 1 p.m., Fan Fest 2 p.m.
Aug. 26    Off Day
Aug. 27    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 28    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 29    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 30    3-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 31    3-5:30 p.m.

VIKING FOOTBALL ALUMNI DAY
Portland State football will host Alumni Day at the Aug. 18 scrimmage at Stott Community Field. PSU football alums are invited to attend practice and the scrimmage, beginning at 10 a.m. Afterward, PSU will host a barbecue for all football alums and an opportunity to meet the team and coaches.

MEET THE VIKS DAY ON AUG. 25
Portland State football will host a "Meet The Viks" youth day following practice on Aug. 25 at Stott Community Field. PSU will practice from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All youth football teams are invited to attend. Following practice at 1 p.m., youth players will take part in a mini-camp. At 2 p.m. there will be a fan fest, including autograph signings, poster giveaways, and other kid activities.