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The Portland State Vikings will begin their quest for a bounce-back season this Thursday when they open pre-season football practice at Stott Community Field. The Vikings will work out from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, then 10:30 a.m. every day, except Sundays, until the home opener on Aug. 29 against Eastern Oregon. Double-days which also include 5 p.m. practices take place on Aug. 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19 and 21.
Head Coach Nigel Burton will begin his fourth season on the Park Blocks. He will try to bring his team back from a disappointing 3-8 campaign in 2012. The Vikings had been 7-4 in 2011 (their best record in five seasons) and appeared ready to make waves in the Big Sky title chase.
In 2013, PSU returns 47 letterwinners and 12 starters. The Vikings return some key elements from an offense that averaged nearly 35 points and 440 yards per game, but will have to shore up a defense that allowed 401 yards and 36 points per contest. (SEE VIKING SEASON PREVIEW BELOW)
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE: VIKING QUICK NOTES
THE BREAKDOWN
• Portland State returns 45 letterwinners from 2012; 22 are on offense, 21 are on defense and two are on special teams. Thirty 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 freshmen, 11 FBS transfers and four junior college transfers.
OREGONIANS, AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE: Portland State features 44 Oregonians on its current roster with three others from the Vancouver, WA area. The Vikings signed 11 Oregonians in 2013, as well as one player from Southwest Washington.
VETERANS: Among Portland State's returning players, SR RB Justin Lilley has appeared in the most career games (32), followed by 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) and SR LB Jaycob Shoemaker (14).
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 2010, PSU led the Big Sky in rushing (203.3 yards per game).
• 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 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 carry), 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 in 2013; 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 definitive leader at his spot. For a breakdown on the candidates at each position, see the 2013 VIKING FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW below.
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.
PRE-SEASON CHATTER: Portland State was selected to place 10th in the 13-team Big Sky Conference in pre-season polls voted on by both league coaches and media. Montana State was selected to place first in each poll... SR C Mitch Gaulke was named to the 28-player pre-season All-Big Sky Conference team.
THE LONGEST WEEK: From brain surgery on Sunday to football practice on Friday, it was quite a week for Portland State freshman running back Steven Long last spring. And Long probably could not have hoped for a better conclusion to the story.
Sporting a fresh scar on his skull hidden by a bandana, Long made an appearance at Viking football practice on May 3 and was warmly greeted by his teammates prior to drills. The return came only five days after a small growth was removed from his brain by doctors at Oregon Health Sciences University.
Early on the morning of April 25, Long suffered seizures in his dorm room at Portland State. The alert action of roommate and teammate Adam Futter with an assist from Long's girlfriend, Brogan Taylor, soon had Steven on the way to the hospital.
By the weekend it was discovered that Long had a small growth on his brain and surgery was scheduled. By midday April 28, an infectious lesion had been removed. Long was released from the hospital two days later and returned to his home in Lake Oswego. He is expected to make a full recovery, though his football career is on hold until at least this October.
VIKINGS IN THE SKY: Portland State Head Coach Nigel Burton was a one-time assistant at PSU, under Tim Walsh in 2001-02. Walsh, the former Viking Head Coach is now the Head Coach at Cal Poly - entering his fifth season there. Meanwhile, new UC Davis Head Coach Ron Gould was an assistant under Pokey Allen at Portland State in 1992. Northern Arizona Head Coach Jerome Souers - who has the longest tenure of any head coach in the league - was a one-time assistant under Don Read at Portland State in the early 1980s... among assistant coaches in the Big Sky, a number of former Viking coaches and players will square off with the current Viking team this year. They include Saga Tuitele, Juston Wood, Jim Craft and Neil Fendall at Cal Poly, Legi Suiaunoa at Montana, Robin Pflugrad at Weber State, Don Bailey at Idaho State and Josh Fetter at Eastern Washington. In addition, Cal defensive line coach Barry Sacks was an assistant at PSU from 1986-92 under Pokey Allen.
THE 2013 SCHEDULE: This season, Portland State will go back to facing Montana, Weber State and Sacramento State - three teams they played for the first 16 years of their Big Sky Conference history. The Vikings did not play those three in 2012 due to league expansion to 13 teams. Rolling off the Vikings' schedule in 2013 is Montana State, Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado.
The Vikings will open the season by hosting Eastern Oregon on Aug. 29. Eastern Oregon is an NAIA member of the Frontier Conference. The Mountaineers were 4-6 in 2012.
PSU travels to Cal (3-9 overall in 2012) and newly-refurbished Memorial Stadium on Sept. 7. That game continues PSU's trend of playing Pac-12 schools. In recent years, the Vikings have played at Oregon State (2005, 2009), Oregon (2006, 2010), Washington State (2008), Arizona State (2010) and Washington (2012). Portland State also played at Cal in 2006, losing to the 22nd-ranked Golden Bears, 42-16.
In fact, the month of September will be an all-California affair for the Vikings. Portland State hosts Humboldt State (7-4) in a non-conference game at JELD-WEN Field. The Lumberjacks were an old Division II foe of the Vikings back in the 1980s.
Once again, PSU will play a Big Sky opponent in a non-conference contest; at UC Davis (4-7/3-5 Big Sky) on Sept. 21. The Vikings won last fall in Aggie Stadium in a conference game, 49-21. PSU leads the all-time series, 8-4.
Portland State plays a second Thursday night football game on Sept. 26. It will be the Big Sky Conference opener against 2012 Big Sky tri-champion and NCAA playoff participant Cal Poly (9-3/7-1). The Thursday game will also be televised on Root Sports.
Returning to PSU that night for the first time is former Viking Head Coach and Portland State Hall of Fame inductee Tim Walsh. A coach at PSU from 1993-2006, Walsh is PSU's all-time winningest coach (90-68) and led four Viking teams to the post-season.
Cal Poly won the 2012 matchup between the schools, 37-25, in San Luis Obispo.
The Vikings will travel the following two weeks. PSU plays at Montana (5-6/3-5) on Oct. 5 after missing the Grizzlies on the schedule in 2012. The Vikings seek a first-ever Big Sky Conference win at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. That game will also be televised on Root Sports.
On Oct. 12, Portland State makes a first-time Big Sky visit to Southern Utah. The Vikings last played in Cedar City in 1993 when the two schools featured Division II programs. Despite a 49-42 loss to the Thunderbirds in 2012 at JELD-WEN Field, the Vikings lead the all-time series, 8-2.
After an open week on Oct. 19, Portland State will return to JELD-WEN Field for two straight home games. The Vikings host North Dakota (5-6/3-5) in a Big Sky Conference game for the first time on Oct. 26. Last year, the teams played a non-conference game in Grand Forks - a 45-37 UND win.
Weber State (2-9/2-6) returns to the Viking schedule on Nov. 2 after a one-year hiatus. The Vikings have lost the last five meetings with the Wildcats and trail in the Big Sky Conference series, 10-6.
Portland State will play at Idaho State (1-10/0-8) on Nov. 9. In 2012, the Vikings rolled over the Bengals, 77-10, at JELD-WEN Field. The Vikings rushed for a school-record 437 yards while scoring their most points in 32 years. PSU has won three straight in the series and leads 9-8 in Big Sky Conference games.
Also returning to Portland State's schedule in 2013 is Sacramento State (6-5/4-4). PSU had played the Hornets for 16 straight Big Sky seasons and 28 of the previous 29 seasons overall before missing them in 2012. The Hornets come to JELD-WEN Field on Nov. 16. PSU leads the series, 22-9 overall and 12-4 in Big Sky contests.
The 2013 regular season concludes with a trip to 2012 Big Sky tri-Champion Eastern Washington (11-3/7-1) on Nov. 23. The 2010 National Champions and 2012 National semifinalists will be formidable once again. The Eagles beat the Vikings, 41-34, in the 2012 finale. Root Sports will televise that contest as well.
NCAA Playoffs begin on Nov. 30, with a 24-team tournament for the first time in history.
TROUBLE WITH THE RANKING: Portland State plays in one of the strongest conferences in the nation. The result is frequent games against nationally-ranked opponents. Unfortunately, the Vikings have not fared well in recent years, losing 18 straight games to nationally-ranked teams dating back to the 2008 season.
2013 VIKING FOOTBALL SEASON 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 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).
“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,” said Burton.
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.
“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. “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.
“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.
Burton has added three transfer defensive backs in Davon Dunn (JR, 6-0, 185, Fresno State), Darien Washington (RS FR, 5-10, 170, Washington) and Mishawn Cummings (JR, 5-10, 195, Oregon State). 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 fall. 2013 signees Xavier Coleman (5-11, 190), Kahlil Dawson (5-9, 170), JC Genova (6-0, 210) and Beau Duronslet (5-11, 200) add to the depth.
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. 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. Cutter Baldock (SO, 6-4, 245), a transfer from Arizona State, and Dame Ndiaye (SO, 6-4, 235) from Arizona, have also joined the team.
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.”
The Vikings have 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). SO Kyle Gardner (5-11, 230) has also transferred in from Oregon State over the summer.
“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). RS FR Kyle Smith (6-5, 315), and Cam Keizur (6-4, 310) appeared ready to take on starting roles after impressive springs. But, depth at the position will provide them a challenge during fall camp. Other candidates to start are SR OL Thomas Robertson (6-4, 290), SO Mike Davis (6-4, 265), JR James Seuma'ala (6-3, 260) and SR John Wall (6-2, 275). The Vikings have two other redshirts who may also help in Caleb Worthington (SR, 6-7, 310), 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 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. And, the Vikings added transfer Victor Dean (JR, 6-6, 210), who caught 30 passes last season at Fresno State.
“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. 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.
“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 a 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 some freshmen along with Steven Long.”
Despite a health scare in the spring 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. However, he may not be available until mid-season. Looking to the future, PSU signed Nate Tago (TONG-oh, 5-11, 215, 1,804 yards, 22 touchdowns at Tesoro (CA) HS) and Rey Vega (5-10, 195, 1,524 yards, 28 touchdowns at Modesto (CA) Central Catholic HS) to team with Long.
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 Connor Kavanaugh (2008-11). Kavanaugh 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, after 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, joined the Vikings in the 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) will also enter the kicking 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.
2012 SEASON REVIEW
The Portland State Vikings wrapped up their 2012 football season with a 3-8 record, 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference. The Vikings had several “what ifs” during the season that might have made the outcome much different as the team dropped from a 7-4/5-3 mark in 2011.
PSU held leads of 18, 18 and 13 on opponents in three home games that all resulted in losses (Southern Utah, Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington). In addition, the Vikings were up 25-20 on nationally-ranked Cal Poly in the third quarter of a road game before allowing the final 17 points to lose, 37-25. Had the Vikings held leads in some - or all - of those games, they may have come much closer to the fourth-place league finish offered by preseason prognisiticators.
Once again, Portland State had one of the most potent offenses in the Big Sky Conference and the nation, averaging more than 438 yards and 34.8 points per game. The balance sought by Head Coach Nigel Burton was also there as the Vikings averaged 216.5 yards on the ground and 222.2 yards through the air. Portland State ranked third in the 13-team Big Sky in rushing offense, total offense and scoring offense, and were 16th in nation (among 121 schools) in all three categories.
On defense, the Vikings were a Jeckyl and Hyde team. At times, the Vikings were impressive, forcing turnovers, making big plays, tackles for loss and run-stopping. The Vikings' allowed 86 yards or less on the ground to five Big Sky opponents, including 0 rushing yards to fifth-ranked Eastern Washington in the season finale. The Vikings led the Big Sky and ranked sixth in the nation with nearly eight tackles for loss per game. However, they were also exploited on an injury-riddled pass defense in a handful of games, ranking 12th in pass defense and allowing 29 touchdown passes.
2012 POST-SEASON HONORS
2nd team All-Big Sky Conference
SR LB Ian Sluss
SR DE Marquis Jackson
Honorable Mention All-Big Sky Conference
SR WR Justin Monahan
JR RT Mitchell Van Dyk
SR LT Kyle Ritt
JR C Mitch Gaulke
SO LG Cornelius Edison
JR RB DJ Adams
JR LB Jaycob Shoemaker
SR DT Dereck Jester
SR LB Khalil Bass
SR S Joel Sisler
SR S Mike Williams
SR K Zach Brown
SR ST Nevin Lewis
Academic All-Big Sky Conference
JR DE Nick Alexander, Social Science
FR LB Brandon Brody-Heim, Electrical Engineering and Physics
FR LS Kameron Canaday, Business
JR C Mitch Gaulke, Business Administration: Accounting
SR WR Nick Green, Psychology/Communication Studies
SR DE Marquis Jackson
SR TE Gage Loftin, Communication Studies
FR DE Jacob Nall, Business: Accounting
JR S Nathan Snow, Health Studies: Physical Activity and Exercise
SO WR Alex Toureen, Business
2nd team Sports Network All-American
3rd team AP All-American
Linebacker of the Year - College Football Performance Awards
1st team All-American - College Sports Madness.com
SR LB Ian Sluss
CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT 8
JR C Mitch Gaulke
SO WR Alex Toureen
NCAA I FCS ADA ACADEMIC ALL-STAR
JR C Mitch Gaulke
JERRY RICE AWARD BALLOTING
FR QB Kieran McDonagh (8th)
COLLEGE SPORTS MADNESS.COM
SR LB Ian Sluss - 1st team All-Big Sky
JR RB DJ Adams - 2nd team All-Big Sky
SR DE Marquis Jackson - 2nd team All-Big Sky
JR RT Mitchell Van Dyk - 2nd team All-Big Sky
JR C Mitch Gaulke - 2nd team All-Big Sky
SR OL Kyle Ritt - 3rd team All-Big Sky
SR LB Khalil Bass - 3rd team All-Big Sky
2012 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL TEAM AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: SR LB Ian Sluss
Scholar-Athlete Award: JR C Mitch Gaulke
Outstanding Offensive Back: SR WR Justin Monahan
Outstanding Defensive Back: SR LB Ian Sluss
Outstanding Offensive Lineman: JR RT Mitchell Van Dyk
Outstanding Defensive Lineman: SR DT Dereck Jester
Most Improved Player: FR WR Thomas Carter
Most Inspirational Player: JR RB DJ Adams
Special Teams Player of the Year: JR RB Justin Lilley
Scout Team Player of the Year: FR QB Paris Penn
Charles Withers Award (for contributions to the program): The Bruun Family
