Complete 2013 Spring Prospectus
The Portland State football team opens spring practice next Monday at Stott Community Field. The Vikings will hold a total of 14 practices, with a Spring Game on May 18.
PSU will take the field on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the next two weeks. There will be no practices the week of April 22-26, as the coaches take a break for recruiting. Spring practice continues on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from April 29 to May 15. It culminates with the annual spring game, which will be played Saturday, May 18. The site and time of the spring game are to be determined.
Head Football Coach Nigel Burton, will begin his fourth year on the Park Blocks, looking for a bounce-back season in 2013. After a promising turnaround season in 2011, in which Portland State went 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings took a step backward in 2012, finishing with a 3-8 mark overall, 2-6 in conference play.
Burton returns 47 letterwinners from 2012, including 12 starters. The Vikings have six starters returning on offense, five on defense, as well as the team's long snapper. A complete spring preview follows.
Other Key Dates:
Portland State Football Coaches' Clinic, May 10-11
Evergreen GaveKal Coaches' Open Golf Tournament, May 17 (The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club)
Viking Football Camps, June 2013
2013 SPRING FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Monday, April 8 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, April 10 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, April 12 1:30-4:00 PM
Monday, April 15 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, April 17 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, April 19 1:30-4:00 PM
*No practice April 22-26 – Recruiting break*
Monday, April 29 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 1 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, May 3 1:30-4:00 PM
Monday, May 6 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 8 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, May 10 1:30-4:00 PM
Monday, May 13 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 15 1:30-4:00 PM
Saturday, May 18 Spring Game, site and time TBA
2013 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW
The challenge for Portland State football in 2013 will be finding the balance, consistency and productivity that it has shown in part over the past three seasons under Head Coach Nigel Burton. The Vikings have been down (2-9 in 2010), up (7-4 in 2011) and down again (3-8 in 2012) over that time. What has been evident throughout has been the potential of the program - some realized, some not. Developing that balance, consistency and productivity - beginning in spring practice opening April 8 - will have the Vikings back up again in 2013.
DEFENSE
As the Vikings prepare for 2013, the big question would have to be, “can the defense catch up to the offense?”
PSU's offense has been very good the past two years, and in fact, reached virtual balance in 2012, averaging 222 yards passing and 216 yards rushing per game. The 438.7 yards of total offense and 34.8 points per game would be good enough to win a lot of games in any season. However, PSU gave up 401.5 yards and 36.0 points on defense.
In fact, the Viking run defense was good, allowing 126.2 yards per game, 3.2 yards per carry and a very respectable 16 touchdowns on 440 rushes (PSU held five Big Sky opponents to 86 yards or less on the ground). The Vikings ranked third in the 13-team Big Sky in run-stopping. But, the pass defense gave up 275.3 yards per game and 29 touchdowns on 371 pass attempts. The Vikings' ranked 12th in pass defense and pass efficiency defense in the Big Sky.
The logical conclusion is the need to shore up the pass defense. Enter new defensive coordinator Jaime Hill. Burton made a change last season, relieving former DC Eric Jackson of his duties, during the season. Burton ran the defense the remainder of the year as he searched for a new coordinator.
Hill has spent the last two decades as a secondary coach and defensive coordinator at the collegiate and professional levels. Most recently, he spent five seasons as a defensive coordinator at BYU. He also spent five years at PSU in the mid-90s as an assistant coach.
“Every coach we hire brings a different flavor and different perspective,” said Burton. “A defensive coordinator that has (Hill's) level of experience and expertise? There is a reason I want him to run our defense; because of his background, ability to reach kids and to be a great teacher. The basis of our system will stay the same but he will definitely add wrinkles to improve us, in particular in the secondary.”
The other part of shoring up the pass defense will be identifying the key contributors. Portland State returns only one full-time starter among the four defensive back positions; SR CB Dennis Fite (6-5, 190, 42 tackles). There are several returning players with experience though. SR S David Edgerson (5-11, 205, 40 tackles) and SO S Nick Rothstein (5-11, 205, 16 tackles) combined to start seven games, while SO CB Aaron Sibley (5-10, 175, 15 tackles) had two starts last season. The Vikings also hope to have SR S Dean Faddis (6-0, 205), who has battled a foot injury for two seasons and played in just one game. Youngsters Demetrius Jackson (SO, 5-10, 180, 11 tackles), Chevy Walker (RS FR, 6-0, 180) and SO S Walter Santiago are also going to get a long look in the spring. 2013 signees Xavier Coleman (5-11, 190), Kahlil Dawson (5-9, 170) and JC Genova (6-0, 210) will arrive in the fall.
“Rocky (Rothstein) is a Vik through and through. He is a great leader, smart, tough and his level of commitment is what will make him a great player down the road,” said Burton.
“Fite is a player who is extremely talented. With a year under his belt I am looking for him to have a big jump in his performance.
“I think the guy who is the X-factor is Aaron Sibley. He is a lot like Rocky in his work habits, his intelligence, and he is deceptively strong and fast.
“Demetrius Jackson has the versatility to play corner and safety. We are looking for him to do the same thing.
“Once David got his feet underneath him, he played really well at the end of the season. He made a huge jump. He is a sharp kid and a big-time hitter.”
On the defensive line, the Vikings lost two starters, but have a host of players with experience returning. SR DT Zack Ka'ahanui (6-1, 265, 10 tackles) and SR DE Nick Alexander (6-4, 250, 17 tackles, 3.5 sacks) played well in 2012 and will anchor the line in the coming year. Veteran Julious Moore (SR, 6-0, 290, 7 tackles, 2 sacks in 2012, 15 career starts) will vie to be the full-time starter in 2013, while others with experience are SO Junior Alexis (6-2, 280, 9 tackles) and JR Vincent Johnson (6-2, 265, 6 tackles, 3 TFLs). Defensive end is loaded with returners. After Alexander, SRs Bryant Long (6-3, 245, 11 tackles) and Jeremy Boone (6-4, 260, 15 tackles) will compete to start, with JR Brandon Tobias (6-2, 220, 10 tackles) and SOs Sadat Sulleyman (6-2, 240, 7 tackles) and Jacob Nall (6-4, 240, 5 tackles) also back.
“I don't think that group is happy with how they played last year,” said Burton, “It has been evident in the work they have put in during the off-season and their determination to be what they are capable of being. They are extremely talented and they are the most improved group from the end of last season until now, if you look at their work ethic and the way they have attacked conditioning.”
Top signees are JR DTs Joe Lopez (6-0, 275, from Oregon State) and Daniel Fusi (6-0, 340), FR DT Bryon Bodon (6-5, 290) and FR DEs Desmoun Thompson (6-7, 305) and Davond Dade (6-3, 225). Look for Lopez, who saw significant action last year at OSU, and Fusi, from Riverside CC, to battle for starting roles.
Although PSU lost All-American linebacker Ian Sluss to graduation, along with starting middle linebacker Khalil Bass, talent remains in SR Jaycob Shoemaker (6-0, 230), who had a big year in 2012 (79 tackles, 12 TFLs). SO LB Zach Walen (6-3, 200, 34 tackles, 4.5 TFLs) had a strong freshman season and showed a knack for making plays. He should be a favorite to start on the outside. JR Corey Crowder (6-1, 225, 10 tackles) and SO Brandon Brody-Heim (5-11, 220, 5 tackles) will also compete to start at outside linebacker.
“Shoe can play in the middle and outside, Brody-Heim can play in the middle and outside,” said Burton of his linebackers' versatility. “The idea is we will put our best three on the field. Add in Daniel Halverson who was a big-time recruit but had a shoulder injury (in 2012) and Corey Crowder, who has had an amazing off-season. I am really excited for both of them.”
The Vikings have a talented RS FR in Halverson (6-1, 240), and some key signings with SO Jeremy Lutali (5-11, 230), JR Jake Woolley (6-4, 225) and FR John Norcross (6-1, 215) and Kalei Kauha'aha'a (5-11, 225).
“It will be a fun group. We increased our athleticism, our range… they are just going to have to make up for the experience factor that Khalil and Ian had. But, when you have that many guys who are that talented, they are going to push each other to be very good. The competition is going to be fun. I am excited to see how that battle shakes out,” said Burton.
OFFENSE
On offense, the Vikings want to continue to refine what has been a well-oiled machine. The passing game grew in 2012 to match a running offense that routinely tramples opposing defenses. That combo emerged thanks to the strong arm of newcomer Kieran McDonagh (SO, 6-2, 245), who posted the most productive season by a freshman quarterback in school history (2,187 yards and 14 TDs in 11 starts). McDonagh also ran 89 times for 406 yards and nine touchdowns. By season's end, he was voted eighth for the Jerry Rice Award, for the National Freshman of the Year.
In football, it all starts up front, and no place has that been more evident than at Portland State. The Vikings' offensive line has been its most consistent, and perhaps most consistently talented position over the past four years under line coach and run game coordinator Brad Davis. PSU's offensive line led an offense that averaged 438.7 yards and 34.8 points per game and allowed only seven sacks all season, ranking fourth in the nation. The 2011 line led a school-record running performance (247.8 yards on the ground that season).
That productivity is not likely to change with three returning starters who have solid credentials as honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference choices in 2012: SR C Mitch Gaulke (6-2, 285), SR RT Mitchell Van Dyk (6-9, 290), and JR LG Cornelius Edison (6-3, 285). SR OL Thomas Robertson (6-4, 275) will battle for a long-awaited starting role, while other returners Mike Davis (6-4, 265), James Seuma'ala (6-3, 260) and John Wall (6-2, 275) all have experience. The Vikings will look to some redshirts for help in Caleb Worthington (SR, 6-7, 310), Kyle Smith (FR, 6-5, 315) and Josh Hanson (FR, 6-7, 275).
The future on the offensive line should come in a tremendous 2013 signing class of Oregonians, including Chad Bach (6-3, 270, Bend HS), Ryan Brown (6-6, 275, Jesuit HS), Justin Outslay (6-5, 285, Salem Academy), Austin Powell (6-4, 270, Crescent Valley HS) and Alex Sirois (6-5, 305, Century HS).
“We have recruited for a lot of depth on the offensive line. And with the hard work and conditioning of the offensive line, we stayed relatively healthy last year,” said Burton. “We were able to redshirt a lot of our offensive line from the 2012 class. So those redshirts, plus the offensive linemen we recruited will push for spots. Talent-wise I think we will have our best and deepest offensive line.”
McDonagh, the sophomore-to-be at quarterback, appears to be the perfect run-pass package for the Viking offense. The big question heading into 2013 will be, “who is going to catch those McDonagh darts?”
With the loss of three senior wide receivers and both tight ends to graduation, it would seem to be a big concern. But consider this; Portland State entered 2012 without a quarterback that had taken a single snap as a Viking, and without three-fourths of the previous season's record-breaking running game due to the graduation of star runner Cory McCaffrey, backup Willie Griffin and 1,000-yard rushing QB Connor Kavanaugh. All the Vikings did in '12 was produce their most productive offensive season in 11 years under the guidance of offensive coordinator Bruce Barnum with 200+ yards each game in the air and on the ground.
“That's where we want our offense to be; 50-50 balance, putting up the kind of numbers they did,” said Burton.
Like many college offenses these days, Barnum has worked hard at increasing the pace of his group with the goal of running 80-90 plays per game.
The 2013 Viking receiving corps will likely be led by a sophomore, slot receiver Thomas Carter (5-10, 185). In 2012, Carter started four games and led the Vikings with 32 receptions. A converted quarterback, Carter has remarkable running ability and can do just about anything on the field as he proved last year, receiving, running and throwing for touchdowns during the season. Carter should be a focal point of the offense this year.
A large group of returning receivers will battle to start, including JRs Alex Toureen (6-0, 180, 7-99-1), Roston Tatum (6-2, 210, 3-57-0), Jordan Lewis (5-8, 175, 4-24-0) and Kasey Closs (RS, 6-3, 200), SOs Darnell Adams (6-2, 195, 2-52-0) and David Jones (6-1, 205), and RS FR Jamarr Graves (6-3, 195) and Trevor Dye (6-2, 180). An intriguing addition is JR Josh Milhollin (6-4, 200), who has moved over from quarterback. Milhollin's size, running and leaping ability will lend itself to playing outside. His development during spring football will be key.
“Our leading receiver is back,” said Burton, referring to Carter. “We had a ton of injuries last year, which was a curse at the time but a blessing now. What it created was a lot of experience for the guys who are now coming back. Roston Tatum has seen a lot of snaps. He has started to take a leadership role along with David Jones and Alex Toureen. We have Jamarr Graves and some of those other guys that are highly-recruited players (competing for playing time). It's a nice mix.
“We've gotten more athletic at the receiver spots. We are just not as experienced. So it is going to be the ability of those guys to master the system, take on leadership roles and become playmakers.”
The Vikings have signed a pair of freshman wide receivers who will also have a chance to contribute, Austin Baird (5-11, 180) and Anthony Jenkins (6-1, 175).
At tight end, a pair of signees have been added to a young, inexperienced returning group. The newcomers bring size and experience and will have the spring to impress. They are JR Tyson Heller (6-3, 250, Santa Barbara CC) and SO Hayden Plinke (6-4, 255, Boise State). Returning at the position for the Vikings are SO Cameron Thompson (6-5, 240), who saw limited action in 2012, and a pair of RS FR in Adam Futter (6-5, 235) and Cam Sommer (6-3, 220).
Portland State's running game has been solid as a rock under Burton and Barnum with their hybrid Pistol/Pass game. That shouldn't change as the Vikings return 94% of their rushing yards from 2012. Leading the way will be SR DJ Adams (5-10, 210, 164-967-12), JR Shaq Richard (5-8, 175, 112-524-2) and the aforementioned McDonagh (89-406-9). Also back is SR Justin Lilley (5-11, 205, 30-178-1), who doubles as the Vikings' top backfield blocker. And, the Vikings will have the services of GS FR Steven Long (5-7, 175), a 2012 signee who rushed for 2,205 yards and 37 touchdowns as a senior in high school, leading Lake Oswego (OR) to a perfect season (14-0) and state championship. Looking to the future, PSU signed Nate Tago (TONG-oh, 5-11, 215, 1,804 yards, 22 touchdowns at Teroro (CA) HS) to team with Long down the road.
“I think by not pressing one guy to carry the ball 30-35 times, those guys are able to stay relatively healthy,” Burton said. “They balance each other. That can be a selfish position. But all those guys are team guys.
“They didn't just accept a role, they relished in their roles. They put the team before their individual needs and it was pretty cool thing to watch,” Burton said, referring to last season's production.
“I'm looking for more of the same in the coming years and now the influx of Steven Long and Nate Tago.”
McDonagh appears to have a firm grasp on the quarterback position. However, he only won the starting job after a three-week preseason competition that went down to the wire in 2012 fall camp. His main competitors were Collin Ramirez (SR, 6-2, 205) and Paris Penn (RS FR, 6-1, 210), who return in 2013 and will no doubt give McDonagh a run for the starting role again. Both have the pass/run combo ability that McDonagh brings to the field. Ramirez has experience as McDonagh's backup in 2012, while Penn has an arm similar in strength to McDonagh and more speed on the turf.
“We have three quarterbacks that can win in this conference. Some people say when you have two or three, you don't have one. In our style of offense the quarterback has to run the football, so dings and injuries can happen. I'd much rather have two or three, than just one. It's a nice problem to have,” said Burton.
Viking coaches also love new signee Josh Kraght (KRAFT, 6-0, 185, Lynden (WA) HS), who reminds them of Kavanaugh (2008-11), who had a strong leadership gene and set PSU and Big Sky single-season (1,060 yards) and career (1,965) rushing records. Kraght may be the future at quarterback, but will have time to develop his game and knowledge of the PSU system with the talent in front of him.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Although talented long-snapper Kameron Canaday (6-4, 245) is just a sophomore, Portland State special teams has had significant turnover. Gone is the best kicker in PSU history, Zach Brown. Gone to the NFL it appears after a school records of 64 field goals in a career and 24 in a season, among many others. Also gone is Thomas Duyndam, a four-year starter at punter, and the main kick returner the past three seasons, Nevin Lewis.
Transfers Marcus Kinsella (FR, 5-11, 185) and Kyle Loomis (JR, 6-3, 220) will lead the competition for punter. Like Duyndam, Kinsella is an Australian who went to the same kicking academy Down Under. Kinsella, a redshirt last season at Indiana, joins the Vikings this spring. Loomis was a starter as a freshman at Oregon State in 2006, but left school and entered the Army. He returns to college - and football - seven years later.
Both punters have the ability to kick, and may compete with JR Nick Fernandez (5-8, 155), who started five games last season while Brown was hurt. Fernandez made 5-9 field goals and all 25 extra points as a sophomore. RS FR Ian Crist (5-9, 165) and Chad Heerspink (6-0, 200) will also enter the competition.
The kick and punt return roles won't be sorted out until fall, but returners with experience include Alex Toureen, Thomas Carter, DJ Adams and Roston Tatum.
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE VIKING NOTES
THE BREAKDOWN
• Portland State returns 47 letterwinners from 2012; 22 are on offense, 23 are on defense and two are on special teams. Twenty-nine letterwinners have departed.
• PSU returns 12 starters, six on offense, five on defense and one on special teams. Ten other players return that have had starts in their PSU careers.
• The Vikings have added 24 National Letter of Intent (or grant-in-aid) signees in 2013, 17 of whom are freshmen, seven are transfers.
VETERANS: Among Portland State's returning players, SR RB Justin Lilley has appeared in the most career games (32), followed by SR DT Julious Moore (29), SR C Mitch Gaulke (27) and SR DE Bryant Long (27)… Gaulke has the most career starts (27), followed by SR OL Mitchell Van Dyk (21), SR DT Juiloius Moore (15) and SR LB Jaycob Shoemaker (14).
OREGONIANS, AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE: Portland State features 40 Oregonians on its current roster and has three others from the Vancouver, WA area. The Vikings signed 10 Oregonians in 2013, as well as one player from Southwest Washington.
SMARTS: SR C Mitch Gaulke has set the standard for offensive line play at Portland State over the last three seasons. With 27 career starts he leads all returning Vikings and he has twice earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference honors. Gaulke also sets the standard academically. In 2012, Gaulke was named to the NCAA I FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team, a CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 selection for the second time, Academic All-Big Sky Conference for the third time, and the PSU Mike Schrunk Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second time. Gaulke, from West Linn, OR, is a Business Administration: Accounting major… also earning Academic All-District 8 hours was JR WR Alex Toureen (Business)… returning players who earned Academic All-Big Sky Conference honors include Gaulke, Toureen, SO LB Brandon Brody-Heim, Electrical Engineering and Physics; SO LS Kameron Canaday, Business; and SO DE Jacob Nall, Business: Accounting.
AN OFFENSE WORTH TALKING ABOUT: Portland State's offense, under the direction of coordinator Bruce Barnum, has been outstanding the past three seasons. PSU averaged 355.2 yards per game of offense in 2009, the year before Barnum took over. Since then, that number has grown over three seasons from 396.5 to 432.7 to 438.7. On the scoreboard, PSU averaged 21.1 prior to Barnum's arrival. Since then it has gone to 23.4, 32.9, then 34.8 in 2012… in 2011, Barnum led PSU's offense to the most yards and most points by a Viking team in a decade. His unit bettered those numbers in 2012… in 2010, PSU led the Big Sky in rushing (203.3 yards per game… in 2011, the Viking running game smashed the school record for rushing yards (by nearly 500 yards) and led the Big Sky Conference for the second year in a row. Portland State averaged 247.8 rushing yards, 184.9 passing yards, 432.7 total yards and 32.9 points per game. The Vikings were eighth in the nation in rushing, 15th in total offense and 18th in scoring. PSU's numbers were up nearly 40 yards and more than nine points per game over the previous season. Even more impressive, Barnum's offense accomplished all that after losing the nation's top rusher, Cory McCaffrey, to injury after playing in only five games. His quarterback, Connor Kavanaugh, set new Portland State and Big Sky Conference records for rushing in a season (1,060) and a career (1,965)… in 2012, the offense was as balanced as you could hope for at 216.5 yards on the ground, 222.2 yards through the air, 438.7 total yards and 34.8 points per game overall. Nationally, PSU was 16th in rushing, 16th in total offense and 11th in scoring. PSU had its most yards of total offense in 11 years, best rushing average in 11 years (5.3 yards per game), most points per game in 13 years, and remarkably, allowed only seven sacks all season as the Vikings attempted 343 passes.
KEY POSITION BATTLES: While every position is up for grabs every season, Portland State should have two key position battles throughout the spring; receiver and defensive back. PSU lost its three starters at receiver in Justin Monahan, Nevin Lewis and Keitrell Anderson. Outside of Thomas Carter, who is only a sophomore, the remaining returners have limited experience. The Vikings also lost both tight ends, Kalua Noa and Gage Loftin, due to graduation. Only Cameron Thompson among the returning tight ends has very limited experience… at defensive back, the Vikings return only one of four starters, SR CB Dennis Fite. Several players have experience at safety and cornerback, but none is considered the definitely leader at his spot as spring football commences.
