complete notes and stats in pdf

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (3-2, 0-1) vs. #10 MONTANA GRIZZLIES (3-1, 0-1)
Game 6 • Saturday, October 5, 2013 • 12:35 p.m. PT • Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,217), Missoula, MT
 
TELEVISION: Root Sports • Play-by-play: Tom Glasgow • Analyst: Jason Stiles • Sidelines: Jen Mueller
RADIO: Freedom 970 AM, www.freedom970.com • Pregame Show: 11:30 a.m. PT • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live stats: http://www.gogriz.com/ot/gametracker.html
                     
THE SERIES RECORD
All-Time Series: Montana leads 28-11 • UM leads 12-8 in Portland • UM leads 16-3 in Missoula
Big Sky Conference Series: Montana leads 14-2 • UM leads 8-0 in Missoula • UM leads 6-2 in Portland
 
Big Sky Conference games
Nov. 9, 1996: UM 63-6 @ Missoula
Nov. 8, 1997: UM 37-7 @ Portland
Oct. 3, 1998: UM 20-17 @ Missoula
Oct. 2, 1999: PSU 51-48 @ Portland (OT)
Oct. 28, 2000: UM 33-21 @ Portland
Oct. 27, 2001: UM 33-13 @ Missoula
Oct. 26, 2002: UM 24-21 @ Portland
Oct. 25, 2003: UM 42-14 @ Missoula
Oct. 30, 2004: PSU 35-32 @ Portland
Oct. 29, 2005: UM 37-16 @ Missoula
Sept. 30, 2006: UM 26-20 @ Portland
Nov. 3, 2007: UM 34-31 @ Missoula
Nov. 8, 2008: UM 29-12 @ Portland
Sept. 19, 2009: UM 49-17 @ Missoula
Oct. 16, 2010: UM 23-21 @ Portland
Oct. 15, 2011: UM 30-24 @ Missoula
 
PORTLAND STATE GOES AFTER FIRST BIG SKY WIN IN MONTANA
Portland State goes on the road this Saturday to take on 10th-ranked University of Montana in a Root Sports TV game. The Vikings and Griz, both 0-1 in Big Sky Conference play, already face a key game to stay in the conference title race. Kickoff is 12:35 p.m. PT.
     
In addition to being televised as the Root Sports Game of the Week, radio listeners can pick up the game at Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com. The pre-game show begins at 11:30 a.m.
     
Portland State is 3-2 on the season and comes off a tough loss in its Big Sky opener at home. The Vikings held a two-touchdown lead going into the third quarter, but gave up 28 straight points and eventually lost to 18th-ranked Cal Poly, 38-34.
     
PSU has a 1-1 road record heading to Montana. However, the Vikings have never won a Big Sky Conference game in Missoula (0-8) and lost nine straight at Montana overall.
     
The Grizzlies lost their Big Sky opener at Northern Arizona, 34-16, last Saturday. The Griz are now 3-1 on the season, including 2-0 at home. Montana has won seven straight, and 11 of the last 12 games in the series with Portland State.
     
The Vikings and the Grizzlies have two of the top offenses in the Big Sky going into the game. PSU leads the league in total offense (587.0) and scoring (41.0). Montana ranks fourth in offense (460.8) and third in scoring (37.0). On defense Montana allows the fewest points (17.8) and the second-fewest yards (318.5) per game. The Vikings are giving up 21.6 points per game (3rd) and 436.0 yards (9th).
     
Due to Big Sky Conference expansion in 2012, the Vikings and the Grizzlies did not play for the first time in 17 years. Montana won the last meeting, 30-24, in Missoula in 2011.
 
SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES
In 2012, Montana had its first losing record since 1985, going 5-6. However, it appears the Grizzlies are on the comeback path, having won their first three games before losing at Northern Arizona last Saturday. Head Coach Mick Delaney is in his second season and has an 8-7 record overall. He will be facing the Vikings for the first time as a head coach.
     
Montana's defense has been strong this season, giving up only 37 points in its first three games before allowing 34 at NAU. Still, the Griz have allowed the fewest points in the Big Sky this year and rank second in total defense (318.5 ypg).
     
Quarterback Jordan Johnson has been the top quarterback in the league, statistically, this season. He has completed 54-86 passes for 956 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. His quarterback rating of 194.5 ranks second in the nation. His main target has been Ellis Henderson, who has 12 catches for 270 yards and five touchdowns.
     
The running game has been a shared effort. Both Travon Van and Jordan Canada have 243 rushing yards this season. They have combined for five touchdowns.
     
With 33 tackles, Brock Coyle leads the Grizzlies. All-American linebacker Jordan Tripp has 24 tackles this year. Defensive lineman Zack Wagenmann has team-leading totals of eight tackles for loss and two sacks.
     
Montana has a +4 turnover ratio this season.
     
Montana's punting game also ranks as the best in the Big Sky. Stephen Shaw has a 46.9 average to lead the Big Sky and the Griz' net punting of 44.0 ranks as best.
     
Three kickers have combined to go 6-7 on field goals this season. Freshman Ben Worst has taken over the role and is 4-4 with a long of 50 yards.
 
LAST MEETING, Oct. 15, 2011: Montana 30, Portland State 24
The Vikings led 21-7 in the first half and had an idea of winning their first-ever Big Sky game in Missoula. But the Grizzlies outscored PSU 23-3 the rest of the way to win 30-24 in a game played on Oct. 15, 2011.
     
Portland State rushed for 200 yards and got three field goals from Zach Brown. Ryan Rau made 17 tackles for the Vikings. Montana ran for 255 yards with 159 coming from Jordan Canada. Houston Roots intercepted two passes.
     
The Vikings were hindered by 13 penalties and a 2-14 conversion rate on third downs.
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE: VIKING QUICK NOTES
WINS AND LOSSES: Portland State is 3-2 on the season, 2-1 at home and 1-1 on the road... the Vikings are 8-6 at home since the start of 2011, 5-8 on the road... Head Coach Nigel Burton now has a 9-9 home record, 6-14 road record... the Vikings have eight winning records in 17 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference... PSU is 59-35 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 30-69 on the road... PSU is 57-75 all-time in Big Sky Conference games in its' 17 seasons as a member. The Vikings are 35-32 at home, 22-43 on the road in BSC games.
 
SLOWED, BUT NOT STOPPED: It is hard to say that Cal Poly slowed the Viking offense last Thursday in PSU's 38-34 loss, but the 487 yards of total offense and 7.3 yards per play was - remarkably - the Vikings' lowest output in five games this season... PSU has totaled more than 600 yards in three of five games and the numbers for the Viking offense have been overwhelming:
• PSU averages 299.4 yards rushing per game to lead the Big Sky and rank second the nation.
• The Vikings average 587.0 yards of total offense to lead the Big Sky and rank third in the nation.
• PSU is averaging 41.0 points per game to lead the Big Sky and rank seventh in the nation. PSU has scored at least 30 points in each game.
• PSU's passing game is no slouch at 287.6 yards per game to rank 18th in the country.
• PSU's average of 19.7 yards per pass completion leads the nation.
• For the season, Portland State is averaging a remarkable 8.4 yards per play.
• SR RB DJ Adams ranks second in the Big Sky Conference and 12th in the nation in rushing at 123.4 yards per game.
• JR WR Kasey Closs leads the Big Sky and ranks sixth in the nation with 117.6 receiving yards per game. He averages 24.5 yards per catch and has five touchdowns.
• SO QB Kieran McDonagh leads the nation with 19.6 yards per completion.
• Through five games, Portland State has 51 plays of 20 yards or more. Eleven of those plays have resulted in touchdowns. Seventeen of the long plays have been rushing, 26 have been passing. There have been five kick returns, two interceptions and one punt return. 
 
BIG GAMES: JR WR Victor Dean caught three touchdown passes against Cal Poly. It was the first time a Viking receiver has had three TDs in a game since Mario D'Ambrosio on Oct. 4, 2008 vs. Eastern Washington... SO QB Kieran McDonagh threw for a career-high four touchdowns against Cal Poly. It was the most by a Viking QB in five seasons.
 
THE TOUCHDOWN MAKER: SR RB DJ Adams had a rare no-touchdown game against Cal Poly. Still, he ran a career-high 25 times for 126 yards in the game. It was his fourth 100-yard game in five outings this season... 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... Adams has seven touchdowns this season. He has 19 TDs in his PSU career on 252 carries. Counting his two seasons at Maryland, Adams has 34 career rushing touchdowns on 359 carries. That is one end zone trip for every 10.5 totes... Adams is 11th all-time at PSU with 19 touchdowns and has reached that total in only 16 games... Adams leads the Vikings with 617 rushing yards this season. He averages 7.1 yards per carry.
 
"HE IS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GOOD.": That is what Head Coach Nigel Burton said about his quarterback Kieran McDonagh earlier this season. McDonagh has twice set career highs for passing yards in a game (308, then 377) and also a career-high for total offense (441). McDonagh has thrown 11 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 313.4 yards of total offense per game to rank ninth in the nation... McDonagh is eighth in the nation in pass efficiency, 10th in touchdowns and leads the nation in yards per completion (19.6).
 
KASEY'S CONTRIBUTION: JR WR Kasey Closs caught four passes for 95 yards against Cal Poly. He would have had another 100-yard game but a swing pass from Kieran McDonagh that went for nine yards was a clear lateral pass and recorded as a run play. Still, Closs is the Big Sky Conference leader in receiving yards per game (117.6) and ranks sixth in the nation. He has five touchdowns and averages 24.5 yards per catch... Closs, a walk-on, has three 100-yard games.
 
YOU'RE NOT GETTING OLDER, YOU'RE GETTING BETTER: JR P Kyle 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. With his 26th birthday on Sept. 30, he is the oldest Viking, but also one of the most effective so far this season. After seven years away from football, Loomis is averaging 46.4 yards per punt (at sea level) to rank second in the Big Sky and third in the nation. Of his 23 punts, eight have gone 50+ yards, two have gone 60+ and nine have been downed inside the 20... Loomis boomed a season-best 67-yarder against Humboldt State.
 
SACK MASTERS: Portland State did not have a sack against Cal Poly, but the Vikings still rank second in the Big Sky Conference with 17 sacks this season. The Vikings also average a league-best 9.8 tackles for loss per game. The Vikings have shared the wealth as 23 different players have been in on tackles for loss and 13 have been in on sacks.
 
HANG ON: One bad mark on the Viking offense this season has been turnovers. The Vikings have 14 giveaways through five games. PSU has lost nine fumbles on the season after having only eight fumbles lost in all of 2012.
 
1000-YARDERS: Both SR RB DJ Adams and JR RB Shaquille Richard passed 1,000 career rushing yards against Eastern Oregon (8/29). Adams totaled 967 yards last season for the Vikings. He now has 1,584 career yards on 251 carries, and 19 touchdowns. Richard had 908 career rushing yards prior to the season, and now has 1,165 yards on 241 carries with six touchdowns.
 
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
• Prior to the Cal Poly game, PSU's rushing defense had been particularly good, allowing just 2.6 yards per carry. PSU had allowed fewer rushing yards in successive games (154, 131, 98, 78). However, the Mustangs rushed 79 times for 431 yards in that game.
• Portland State has forced 10 turnovers in five games.
• Portland State is holding opponents to 4.9 yards per play.
• SR S Dean Faddis leads the Vikings with 47 tackles this season and has four games of at least 10 tackles. Faddis had 12 tackles, two for losses, a forced fumble and a pass breakup against Cal Poly.
• SR LB Jaycob Shoemaker has 43 tackles in four games played to rank second in the Big Sky (10.6 pg). He leads the team with 5.5 tackles for loss... Shoemaker had 14 tackles against Cal Poly.
• SR DE Jeremy Boone is tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks and tied for the Big Sky Conference lead with two fumble recoveries.
• The six points allowed by the Viking defense to Humboldt State were the fewest given up since a 52-0 win over Southern Oregon in the 2011 opener (a span of 24 games).
• The Vikings held UC Davis to 258 yards of offense and 10 points. That is the fewest yards allowed by a Viking team in two seasons.
 
RED ZONE REVIEW: Viking Head Coach Nigel Burton always says "it isn't the yards you give up, its the points." For the 2013 Viking defense, that statement has been prophetic. The Vikings have allowed 436.0 yards per game, but only 21.0 points (third-best in the Big Sky). The reason? Tough defense in the red zone. Portland State had allowed opponents 17 trips into the red zone through four games. Only six times had the opponents scored touchdowns. There had also been six field goals, two missed field goals and three losses of possession on downs... that changed in the loss to Cal Poly when the Mustangs were 5-5 in the redzone with four touchdowns and a field goal... opponents now have 10 TDs on 22 redzone trips, with seven field goals. The 77.3% conversion rate ranks fourth in the Big Sky.
 
A DISTURBING TREND: Portland State lost a double-digit lead in the second half to lose to Cal Poly, 38-34. PSU was up 14-0, and then 21-7 entering the third quarter. Cal Poly ran off four straight touchdowns to take the lead and eventually win the game. It marks the fourth time in two seasons PSU has given up a double-digit lead at home to lose.
 
CLEAN IT UP: Portland State continues to be a heavily penalized team. With 11 yellow flags for 92 yards against Cal Poly, the Vikings now have 51 penalties for 474 yards on the season (94.8 yards per game). That ranks second worst in the Big Sky Conference... PSU was heavily penalized last year as well, averaging 8.6 penalties for 75.3 yards per game.
 
VIKING ONE-LINERS (and sometimes two)
• SR DE Nick Alexander's grandfather is Carl Eller of Minnesota Vikings and "Purple People Eaters" fame.
• JR CB Davon Dunn's father, David, played seven seasons in the NFL.
• FR K/P Marcus Kinsella is a native of Australia. He follows Thomas Duyndam, the first Australian ever to play for PSU. Duyndam was a four-year starter at punter (2009-12).
• JR WR Kasey Closs was a walk-on to the Viking program. His father, Rob, was a star basketball and baseball player at the University of Oregon back in the 1970s.
• FR RB Steven Long had brain surgery in April to remove an infectious lesion. He was back on the field for the opening of practice in August (See below). Long's father, Jeff, played at Portland State from 1978-81.
• JR P Kyle Loomis has been away from college football for seven years. He spent four years in the Army and will be 26 on Sept. 30 (see below).
• SO QB Kieran McDonagh placed eighth in the balloting for the 2012 Jerry Rice Award, given to the nation's top freshman football player at the NCAA I FCS level. McDonagh averaged 235.7 yards of total offense per game. He completed 171 of 314 passes for 2,187 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. McDonagh ran 89 times for 406 yards and nine touchdowns.
• SR QB Collin Ramirez broke the touchdown passing record of Aaron Rodgers at Butte JC in 2011 (30 TDs).
• SR LB Jaycob Shoemaker is one of 11 children in his family.
• FR TE Cam Sommer's older brother, Carl, played defensive end at Portland State (2009-11).
• SO DE Sadat Sulleyman was born in Accra, Ghana. He has also lived in Europe and New York.
• FR DT Savali Talalemotu is from Saipan. He attended high school in Beaverton as there was no high school football in Saipan, living with his uncle, Ina. Ina Talalemotu played on Portland State's Division II national runner-up teams in 1987 and 1988.
• JR WR Roston Tatum's parents were both top sprinters at TCU during their college days. His father was a two-time national champion in the 4x100 meters and five-time All-American.
• FR RB Rey Vega has written, sung, mixed and filmed numerous songs (look him up on You Tube).
• SO LB Zach Walen's father, Mark, was the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year at UCLA in 1985.
• Viking Defensive Coordinator Jaime Hill was a member of Tim Walsh's defensive coaching staff at Portland State from 1993-97.
• Head Coach Nigel Burton was the cornerbacks coach on Tim Walsh's PSU staff in 2001 and 2002.
• Of those on the Viking coaching staff, three were players and are alums: Steve Cooper (WR, '09), Matt Leunen (TE/OL, '09), and Adam Kleffner (OL, '12).
• Portland State has 16 players that were formerly members of FBS programs.
• SO WR Thomas Carter, JR WR Josh Milhollin, SO WR David Jones were all high school quarterbacks.
• Returning Vikings who won Academic All-Big Sky Conference honors are SR OL Mitch Gaulke, JR WR Alex Toureen, SO LB Brandon Brody-Heim, SO LS Kameron Canaday, and SO DE Jacob Nall. Gaulke also earned NCAA I FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star and CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 honors.