complete notes and stats in pdf

IDAHO STATE BENGALS (3-6, 1-5) vs. PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (5-4, 2-3)
Game 10 • Saturday, November 9, 2013 • 2 p.m. PT • Holt Arena (12,000), Pocatello, ID
 
TELEVISION: None
RADIO: Freedom 970 AM, www.freedom970.com • Pregame Show: 1 p.m. PT • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: http://www.WatchBigSky.com • Live stats: http://vikslive.statb.us and http://viksmobile.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD
All-Time Series: Idaho State leads 23-14-1 • Portland State leads 10-9 in Portland • Idaho State leads 14-4-1 in Pocatello
Big Sky Series: Portland State leads 9-8 • Idaho State leads 6-2 in Pocatello • Portland State leads 7-2 in Portland
 
Big Sky Conference games
Nov. 16, 1996: ISU 31-12 @ Portland
Nov. 15, 1997: ISU 26-24 @ Pocatello
Sept. 26, 1998: ISU 43-41 @ Portland
Oct. 9, 1999: PSU 52-13 @ Pocatello
Oct. 14, 2000: PSU 59-21 @ Portland
Oct. 13, 2001: ISU 23-17 @ Pocatello
Nov. 2, 2002: PSU 27-24 @ Portland
Nov. 1, 2003: ISU 30-20 @ Pocatello
Nov. 6, 2004: PSU 42-21 @ Portland
Nov. 5, 2005: ISU 36-34 @ Pocatello
Oct. 14, 2006: PSU 34-13 @ Portland
Oct. 20, 2007: ISU 38-20 @ Pocatello
Oct. 25, 2008: PSU 36-13 @ Portland
Nov. 14, 2009: ISU 41-34 @ Pocatello
Oct. 2, 2010: PSU 38-3 @ Portland
Oct. 1, 2011: PSU 42-35 @ Pocatello
Oct. 6, 2012: PSU 77-10 @ Portland
 
LAST YEAR: Portland State 77, Idaho State 10
      Portland State's 77-10 win over Idaho State marked the most points scored by a Viking team since Nov. 8, 1980 when Mouse Davis and Neil Lomax led a 105-0 win over Delaware State. PSU rushed for 437 yards against Idaho State breaking the school record of 436 set against the same Bengal team in 2011. The Vikings' 758 yards of total offense were the second-most in school history. PSU averaged 9.1 yards per play.
      Kieran McDonagh accounted for six touchdowns, earning Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week and The Sports Network's National Freshman of the Week for the NCAA I FCS level. McDonagh rushed for four touchdowns, passed for one touchdown, and caught a touchdown pass for good measure. In all, McDonagh completed 15-23 passes for 280 yards, rushed 10 times for 66 yards and had a 22-yard reception for a total of 368 yards. McDonagh's rushing touchdowns were 26, 11, 2 and 2 yards. His passing TD was 12 yards to freshman wide receiver Thomas Carter and his receiving TD was a 22-yarder from Carter on a trick play. It's also worth noting the McDonagh left the game before the end of the third quarter.
 
STORYLINES
• Portland State won 42-35 in its last appearance at Idaho State. It marked the Vikings' first win in Pocatello since 1999. ISU has not won in Portland since 1998.
• The Vikings set a school record with 436 rushing yards in that 2011 victory at Idaho State. Quarterback Connor Kavanaugh rushed for 212 yards and four touchdowns, earning Big Sky and National Player of the Week honors. Cory McCaffrey rushed for 218 yards and two scores. Last year, the Vikings broke that mark with 437 rushing yards in a 77-10 win.
• Idaho State was 1-10 last season and 6-50 over the last five seasons.
• Bengal Coach Mike Kramer has faced the Vikings 15 times with three different schools (6-9 overall).
• Idaho State won the first 10 times in the series, from 1965 to 1974, and it has been virtually even since.
• ISU Offensive coordinator Don Bailey was a quarterback at Portland State in 1989-90.
• Portland State has scored 34 or more points in the last five meetings and eight of the last nine overall.
 
VIKINGS HOPE TO BUILD ON WINNING RECORD AT IDAHO STATE
Now on the correct side of .500, and with two wins in a row, the Portland State Vikings will try to build on their success coming down the home stretch in November. PSU travels to Idaho State for a Big Sky Conference game this Saturday. Standing at 5-4 overall, the Vikings can bring their conference record to 3-3 with a win. Kickoff against the Bengals (3-6, 1-5) is scheduled for 2 p.m. PT at Holt Arena in Pocatello.
     
Portland State's running game appears to be at the height of its' powers as the Vikings rambled for 350 yards on the ground in a 45-24 win over Weber State last Saturday. Meanwhile, PSU's run defense has allowed less than two yards per carry over the last three games with just 164 yards on 102 carries.
     
That run defense may not factor a lot against the Bengals though. ISU's offensive strength lies in its passing game (338 yards per game and 19 touchdowns). The Vikings will have to stop quarterback Justin Arias, who ranks fifth in the nation in passing yards.
     
A victory this week would guarantee at least a .500 record for the Vikings this season. With five wins, PSU has the second-most since the 2006 season (7-4 in 2011).
     
Idaho State comes into the game on a three-game losing streak. The Bengals have a 3-3 home record.
     
Portland State has won the last three meetings with the Bengals, including its last trip to ISU. In 2011, the Vikings won 42-35 in Pocatello, rushing for a then-school record 436 yards. That record lasted for one season. Last year, the Vikings routed ISU, 77-10, at JELD-WEN Field and rushed for 437 yards. It was the most points scored by a PSU team in 32 years.
     
Idaho State leads the all-time series, 23-14-1, but the Vikings lead the Big Sky Conference series, 9-8.
     
This week's game is not televised. It can be heard on Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com. The pre-game show begins at 1 p.m. PT. A live video stream is available at www.WatchBigSky.com.
     
Portland State comes home to face Sacramento State on Nov. 16 then concludes the regular season at Eastern Washington on Nov. 23.
 
SCOUTING IDAHO STATE
      At first glance, Idaho State's 3-6 record does not seem impressive, but the much-improved Bengals had won just six games in the previous five seasons. Veteran Head Coach Mike Kramer is leading the turnaround for Idaho State.
      The Bengals offense is effective, averaging over 410 yards per game. Quarterback Justin Arias is averaging 337.7 yards passing to rank behind only Eastern Washington's Vernon Adams in the Big Sky Conference. Arias has thrown 19 touchdowns passes against 10 interceptions. Arias completed 44-64 passes for 441 yards, three TDs and one interception last Saturday against the Eagles.
      Luke Austin has 56 receptions for 844 yards and seven touchdowns in only seven games played. He leads the Big Sky in receptions (8.0) and yards (120.5) per game. Cameron Richmond has 51 catches for 616 yards and six scores this season.
      Though ISU is last in rushing offense in the Big Sky again this year, Xavier Finney has added a new dimension. Finney has 150 carries for 664 yards and four touchdowns.     
      Mitch Beckstead has 74 tackles and three interceptions to lead a defense that is allowing 454 yards and 30 points per game. ISU gives up 196 yards per game on the ground and is 12th in the Big Sky in total defense.
      Austin Graves leads the Bengals with 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks on the season.
      Brendan Garcia has been a big weapon for Idaho State, making 15 of 20 field goals to lead the Big Sky. He has made 10-11 inside 40 yards and two field goals in excess of 50 yards.
 
GAME WEEK ACTIVITIES
NIGEL BURTON ON THE RADIO: Viking football Coach Nigel Burton can be heard every Monday at 3:15 p.m. on the Wheels At Work Show on Fox Sports Radio 620 AM. Burton will review and preview Viking football games... Burton can also be heard on the John Canzano's Bald Faced Truth Show on 750 AM The Game on Monday's of home football weeks.
VIKING COACHES' LUNCHEONS: Viking Coaches Luncheons take place at noon every Monday at the Old Spaghetti Factory and continue weekly through March. Coach Nigel Burton, Viking players, and coaches representing other sports will be on hand to speak and take questions. Luncheons take place at The OSF at 0715 S.W. Bancroft in Portland. The cost is $10.00 per person and includes lunch and a non-alcoholic beverage.
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 has four televised games in 2013, three of which are on the Big Sky Conference Root Sports Game of the Week. The final televised game is coming up on Nov. 23 at Eastern Washington, 2:45 p.m., Root Sports.
VIKINGS ON THE INTERNET: Live streaming video of all Portland State home and Big Sky Conference games can be seen free at www.WatchBigSky.com... Live stats for Portland State home games are at www.GoViks.com with a mobile phone feature for in-stadium and on-the-go viewing: http://viksmobile.com.
TICKETS: Tickets for all home games can be purchased in prices ranging from $19 to $52, with youth prices as low as $9. Groups of 15 or more get special admission prices. Tickets are subject to service charge. To purchase tickets by phone, call 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.
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE: VIKING QUICK NOTES
 
RUNNING WILD: Portland State has three of the top 10 rushing performances in school history this season.  The Vikings' 350-yard performance against Weber State ranks 10th all-time at PSU. The Vikings have also had 427 rushing yards against UC Davis (4th) and 405 against Eastern Oregon (5th)... SR RB DJ Adams had 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns. SO TE Hayden Plinke rushed 10 times for 79 yards from a wildcat formation. FR RB Nate Tago had six carries for 64 yards and two TDs. SR RB Justin Lilley added three carrries for 41 yards... with 2,360 yards and a 262.2 yard per game average, the Vikings are on pace to break the rushing record of 247.8 ypg, set in 2011.
 
DJs MILESTONE: SR RB DJ Adams became just the 10th Viking in history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and the feat has now been accomplished 18 times (all since 1987). Adams has 1,006 yards after nine games and will have a chance to climb the all-time list over the last three games... with 111.8 rushing yards per game, Adams ranks 14th in the nation in rushing. Here is a look at DJ in the record book after 20 career games:
Rushing, Season: 1,006 yards, 18th
Rushing, Career: 1,973, 11th
Rushing TDs, Career: 23, 8th-tie
100-yard Games, Career: 10, 6th-tie
100-yard Games, Season: 6, 11th
 
PORTLAND STATE'S 1,000-YARD RUSHERS
1,792   Charles Dunn__ 2000
1,702   Joe Rubin_____ 2005
1,619   Steve Papin____ 1995
1,586   Ryan Fuqua____ 2001
1,561   Charles Dunn__ 1998
1,478   Charles Dunn__ 1999
1,408   Curtis Delgardo 1990
1,287   Cory McCaffrey_ 2010
1,283   Ryan Fuqua___ 2002
1,279   Darick Holmes_ 1994
1,251   Curtis Delgardo 1988
1,176   Charles Dunn__ 1997
1,157   Rais Aho______ 1992
1,060   Connor Kavanaugh 2011
1,046   Curtis Delgardo_ 1987
1,021   Ryan Fuqua____ 2004
1,018   Rodney Clemente 1991
1,006   DJ Adams_____ 2013
 
THE TOUCHDOWN MAKER: SR RB DJ Adams leads the Vikings with 11 touchdowns this season. Adams has 23 TDs in his 20-game PSU career. Counting his two seasons at Maryland, Adams has 38 career rushing touchdowns on 446 carries. That is one end zone trip for every 11.7 totes... following a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns at UC Davis (9/21), Adams earned Big Sky Conference Player of the Week. In that game, he averaged 14.9 yards per carry and had scoring runs of 85 and 27 yards.
 
DEFENSE HITS ITS STRIDE: Portland State's defense has shown great improvement over the past three games, particularly in run defense. PSU has given up only 164 rushing yards in the last three games on 102 carries (1.6 ypc). In fact, five of the last seven Viking opponents have failed to run for 100 yards and all carried the ball between 33 and 46 times... last Saturday, Weber State managed only 59 yards on 33 carries.
 
BLOCK PARTY: The block party continues for the Vikings. SR S David Edgerson blocked a Weber State field goal last Saturday, bringing PSU's season total of kick blocks to seven, which leads the nation... JR WR Victor Dean has blocked three field goals, SR S Michael Plummer has blocked two punts, SR DE Bryant Long has blocked one punt this year.
 
BEST FOOT IN THE NATION: Speaking of excellent special teams play, JR P Kyle Loomis continues to lead the nation in punting. Loomis has a 47.2 average and of his 42 punts, 15 have gone over 50 yards. He has a pair of 67-yard punts this season. Sixteen of Loomis' punts have been downed inside the 20 yard line and 13 have been fair caught... Loomis 47.2 average is well ahead of the PSU all-time season record of 42.8 (John Kincheloe, 1979)... Portland State's 42.3 net punting average also leads the nation... Loomis has an interesting story (see below) as a veteran of one season of football at Oregon State (2006) and nearly four years in the US Army. Having celebrated his 26th birthday on Sept. 30, he is the oldest Viking, but also one of the most effective. Loomis has accomplished all of this after seven years away from football.
 
STILL MORE SPECIAL TEAMS: In addition to PSU's kick-blocking abilities and sensational punting game, the Vikings hold opponents to 14.9 yards per kickoff return this season. That number leads the Big Sky and ranks fourth in the nation.
 
REALITY CHECK: Portland State still has one important area of special teams to get fixed. The field goal kicking game has been a disappointment, making just 2-9 attempts this season. The Vikings were 1-2 on field goals against Weber State, with Marcus Kinsella making one from 47 yards and missing one from 25 yards.
 
OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS: PSU has totaled more than 600 yards of offense in three games this season and averages 514.6 yards per game - a school record pace. Here are the season highlights:
• PSU averages 262.2 yards rushing per game to rank second in the Big Sky and seventh the nation.
• The Vikings average 514.6 yards of total offense to rank second the Big Sky and sixth in the nation.
• The Vikings lead the nation with 16.6 yards per pass completion.
• SR RB DJ Adams ranks second in the Big Sky Conference and 14th in the nation in rushing at 111.8 yards per game.
• JR WR Kasey Closs ranks fifth in the Big Sky and 16th in the nation with 91.9 receiving yards per game. He averages 18.8 yards per catch, has five touchdowns and three 100-yard games. Other Vikings with big receiving averages include Victor Dean (15 catches, 22.2 ypc) and Roston Tatum (9 catches, 25.9 ypc).
• SO QB Kieran McDonagh leads the nation with 16.9 yards per completion.
 
QUARTERBACK ROULETTE: Portland State had used all three of its quarterbacks at some point in each of the previous two games before starting SR QB Collin Ramirez against Weber State. That marked the first time that SO QB Kieran McDonagh had not started or played in a game (19 straight starts). Ramirez completed 10-22 passes for 130 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
 
CONSIDERING KIERAN: SO QB Kieran McDonagh has twice set career highs for passing yards in a game this season (308, then 377) and also set a career-high for total offense (441). McDonagh has thrown 13 touchdown passes this season and run for three more... the sophomore from Vancouver's Skyview High School was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week after the 37-30 loss to Cal. He had 308 passing yards, 368 total yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown... McDonagh is averaging 274.1 yards of total offense per game... McDonagh leads the nation in yards per completion (16.9)... he has 1,821 passing yards (with more than 4,000 in his career) and 372 rushing yards... McDonagh had his first 100-yard rushing game in a 10-carry, 108-yard performance against North Dakota.
 
THE DEFENSIVE EDGE: SR S David Edgerson leads the Big Sky Conference and ranks fifth in the nation with four interceptions. Edgerson was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 28 after making two interceptions against North Dakota... last Saturday, Edgerson returned a fumble 28 yards for a score against Weber State. He also blocked a field goal and made six tackles... Edgerson has 51 tackles this season.
 
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
• Portland State has forced 15 turnovers in nine games.
• Portland State ranks fifth in the nation in tackles for loss per game (8.4).
• SR S Dean Faddis is tied for the Viking lead with 75 tackles this season and has five games of at least 10 tackles.
• SR LB Jaycob Shoemaker is tied for the Viking lead with 75 tackles in eight games played to rank sixth in the Big Sky (9.4 pg). Shoemaker also leads the Vikings with 216 career tackles.
• SR DE Bryant Long leads the team with eight tackles for loss. SR DE Jeremy Boone and SO DT Junior Alexis each have 3.5 sacks this season.
• The Viking defense has 21 quarterback sacks.
 
RED ZONE REVIEW: Portland State has allowed opponents 34 trips into the red zone this season. Only 17 times have the opponents scored touchdowns (50%). There has also been one turnover, 10 field goals, three missed field goals and three losses of possession on downs.
 
OFFENSIVE LINE LEGACY: Portland State's offensive line has allowed only four sacks in nine games this season. That is the fewest in the Big Sky and ranks second fewest in the nation... PSU gives up only 3.8 tackles for loss per game, which is second in the nation... in 2012, PSU gave up only seven sacks while throwing 343 passes.
 
HANG ON: Turnovers have been a problem for Portland State this season, although the Vikings have just two in the last two games. The Vikings have 25 giveaways in all. PSU has lost 12 fumbles on the season after having only eight fumbles lost in all of 2012. The 25 turnovers ranks 116th in the nation.
 
CLEAN IT UP: Portland State continues to be a heavily penalized team. The Vikings have 84 penalties for 762 yards on the season (84.7 yards per game). That ranks last in the Big Sky Conference and 117th in the nation.