complete release and stats in pdf

Game 10
PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (3-6, 2-3) vs. ^#15 MONTANA STATE BOBCATS (6-3, 4-1)
Saturday, November 8, 2014, 2:05 p.m. MT/1:05 p.m. PT • Bobcat Stadium (17,200), Bozeman, MT
 
TELEVISION: SWX Montana, None in Portland
RADIO: Due to a conflict with Portland Trail Blazers basketball, this week's game will air on 103.7 FM in Portland, and www.k103.com
Pregame Show: Noon PT • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: www.WatchBigSky.com • Live stats: www.vikslive.com, www.viksmobile.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD: Vikings vs. Bobcats
All-Time Series • MSU leads 18-9 • MSU leads in Portland 7-6 • MSU leads in Bozeman 11-2 • PSU leads in Billings 1-0
Big Sky Conference Series: Montana State leads 11-6 • The series is tied in Portland 4-4 • MSU leads in Bozeman 7-2
 
Big Sky Conference games
Oct. 26, 1996: MSU 24-6 @ Bozeman
Oct. 25, 1997: PSU 44-0 @ Portland
Oct. 17, 1998: PSU 34-31 @ Bozeman
Oct. 16, 1999: PSU 49-28 @ Portland
Nov. 4, 2000: PSU 31-24 @ Bozeman
Nov. 3, 2001: PSU 33-21 @ Portland
Nov. 16, 2002: MSU 28-26 @ Bozeman
Nov. 15, 2003: MSU 25-14 @ Portland
Oct. 16, 2004: MSU 31-24 @ Bozeman (ot)
Oct. 15, 2005: PSU 44-41 @ Portland
Oct. 7, 2006: MSU 14-0 @ Bozeman
Nov. 10, 2007: MSU 50-36 @ Portland
Nov. 15, 2008: MSU 49-32 @ Bozeman
Nov. 7, 2009: MSU 28-10 @ Portland
Oct. 9, 2010: MSU 44-31 @ Bozeman
Oct. 8, 2011: MSU 38-36 @ Portland
Nov. 10, 2012: MSU 65-30  Bozeman
 
LAST MEETING, Nov. 10, 2012: Montana State 65, Portland State 30
The snow fell in Bozeman for two straight days before the Vikings showed up. Then a Montana State avalanche fell on the Vikings at Bobcat Stadium.
     
Despite the frigid conditions that had the wind chill at -2 at kickoff, MSU came out red hot. The Bobcats took advantage of two first-quarter turnovers by the Vikings, scoring touchdowns in short field situations. The second period included interception and punt return touchdowns for MSU. The Bobcats ran off 49 straight points in the half and were up 59-10 by halftime.
     
PSU outscored Montana State 20-6 in the second half, but the game was already out of hand. The Vikings had 295 yards on the ground  with 107 coming from DJ Adams. But early mistakes and four total turnovers were costly.
     
Montana State totalled 470 yards, getting 232 passing from DeNarius McGhee and 122 rushing from Cody Kirk.
 
 
VIKINGS FACE FIRST RANKED OPPONENT IN #15 BOBCATS
Looking for a season-ending rally, the Portland State Vikings play their toughest Big Sky Conference foe of the season this Saturday when they travel to play the 15th-ranked Montana State Bobcats in Bozeman. Kickoff is 2:05 p.m. MT/1:05 p.m. PT.
     
The Vikings are 3-6 on the season, 2-3 in Big Sky Conference play, and would like to at least match last year's performance (6-6, 3-5). That would require winning out against Montana State, Sacramento State and Eastern Washington over the next three weeks. PSU can still better last year's conference record.
     
Meanwhile, Montana State will try to bounce back from a loss last Saturday to red-hot Cal Poly, 35-27. It was the Bobcats first league defeat and dropped them to 6-3 overall, 4-1 in the Big Sky. MSU has a Big Sky title to battle for over the next three weeks and is one of six Big Sky teams with just one loss going into this Saturday's slate.
     
In addition to Montana State's national-ranking and usual array of talented offensive players, the Vikings will have to overcome history to get a win against the Bobcats. MSU has won seven in a row in the series and 10 of the last 11 over the Vikings. PSU's last win in Bozeman was a 31-24 decision in 2000.
     
Montana State is 4-1 at home this year, while the Vikings are 1-4 on the road.
     
This week's game is not televised in Portland. It is televised on SWX Montana in the Treasure State. A live video stream is available at www.WatchBigSky.com. Due to a conflict with Portland Trail Blazers basketball, this week's game will air on 103.7 FM in Portland, and www.k103.com with a pregame show at noon. Live stats can be found at www.vikslive.com and www.viksmobile.com.
     
Portland State closes out the season with a road game at Sacramento State (Nov. 15), then comes home for a Friday, Nov. 21 contest against 5th-ranked Eastern Washington.
 
SCOUTING MONTANA STATE
Like most years, Montana State is in the midst of a battle for the Big Sky Conference Championship and a trip to the NCAA playoffs. The 15th-ranked Bobcats had been perfect in league play until a 35-27 road loss to Cal Poly last Saturday. Still, MSU is 6-3 on the season and 4-1 in the Big Sky. It is one of six teams at either 5-1 or 4-1 on the season.
     
Head Coach Rob Ash is in his eighth season at MSU and has compiled a 63-30 record. He has won three Big Sky titles and taken four teams to the NCAA playoffs.
     
New starting quarterback Dakota Prukop has proven to be one of the top players in the Big Sky Conference this season. The sophomore is averaging 331 yards of total offense per game. He is the Bobcats' top rusher with 797 yards and 11 touchdowns, while throwing for 2,186 yards and 17 touchdowns. Prukop leads the Big Sky in pass efficiency (175.2).
     
Shawn Johnson (82-569-4) and Anthony Knight (78-354-9) have leant great support to the ground game while Mitch Giebel (32-320-0) has been MSU's top receiver. Johnson leads the Big Sky in all-purpose yards per game (162.8) but is listed as doubtful to play due to injury.
     
The Bobcat defense is allowing a lot of yards (477.3, 11th in the Big Sky) and points (32.3, 10th) this season. But it has been able to force 15 turnovers and maintain a +2 turnover margin. Linebacker Alex Singleton has a team-leading 85 tackles and eight tackles for loss. Cornerback Bryson Keeton has 60 tackles and has broken up seven passes. Defensive end Odin Cole has a team-high six sacks.
     
Good special teams have also been a hallmark for Montana State. Trevor Bolton averages 44.5 yards per punt. Luke Daly has made 12-17 field goals. And Gunnar Brekke is the top kick returner in the Big Sky with a 27.0 average.
     
STORYLINES AND SERIES HISTORY
• Portland State will try to turn around the series trend, having dropped seven in a row and 10 of 11 to Montana State. The Vikings had won five in a row in the series from 1997 to 2001.
• The other trend the Vikings would like to stop is scoring - the Vikings have given up 274 points (45.7) and 2,818 yards (469.7) in the last six meetings with the Bobcats. PSU has also committed 16 turnovers in those games.
• Montana State scored a series-best 65 points in its win in 2012, including 59 in the first half.
• The Bobcats have won the last six meetings in Bozeman. PSU's last win at Montana State was 31-24 on Nov. 4, 2000.
• Montana State leads the Big Sky series 11-6 and the all-time series 18-9.
• MSU Head Coach Rob Ash has never lost to the Vikings (6-0).
 
LAST WEEK: VIKING TURNOVERS CONTRIBUTE TO 31-13 LOSS
Portland State handled Idaho State's dynamic offense as well as any team has in the past two months, but the Bengals still came away with a 31-13 win at Providence Park. The 31 points scored by Idaho State were their fewest in seven games. And PSU held the Bengals to 430 yards - well below their 580-yard average. But the Vikings couldn't answer on offense. PSU committed six turnovers, two on interceptions in the endzone, and had 13 penalties as a team in the loss.
     
Justin Arias paced Idaho State, completing 28 of 48 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns. Xavier Finney led the ground game with 23 carries for 88 yards and two scores.
     
For the Vikings, Kasey Closs had his best game of the season with nine receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. McDonagh struggled though, throwing four picks and losing a fumble. He completed 21 of 37 passes for 236 yards. Shaquille Richard rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries and caught four passes for 38 yards.
     
Savali Talalemotu was the top Viking defender with eight tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Jeremy Lutali and Corey Crowder also had eight tackles each.
     
Idaho State's win ended a four-game losing streak to Portland State. It was the first time since 1998 that the Bengals have won in Portland.
     
Jonathan Gonzales was 2-2 on field goals and is now 12-14 in his last five games. Gonzales leads the Big Sky with 13 field goals made.
 
PORTLAND STATE PUTS ITS BEST FEET FORWARD
Portland State's kicking game is having a banner season and that proved itself on Sunday when the NCAA released its national statistical leaders.
     
Senior Kyle Loomis is leading the nation in punting at the NCAA I FCS level for the second year in a row with a 45.9 average. Loomis led the nation last year with a 46.5 mark, earning consensus first team All-American honors.
     
Loomis, a native of Roseburg, OR, actually trails Kyle Miller of Eastern Washington in Big Sky Conference statistics. Miller is at 46.3 per punt but does not have enough attempts to qualify for the national leadership.
     
This season, Loomis has 23 punts in excess of 50 yards, and 22 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
     
Sophomore kicker Jonathan Gonzales currently ranks eighth in the nation in field goals with an average of 1.44 made per game. Gonzales leads the Big Sky Conference in field goals made with 13 of 18 on the season. He is the only kicker in the league to be perfect in extra-point attempts (22-22).
     
Gonzales, from Apple Valley, CA, has made 12-14 field goals over the past five weeks, including his last six in a row. He made a 53-yarder earlier this season.
 
VIKINGS vs. NATIONALLY-RANKED TEAMS
Portland State plays its first nationally-ranked opponent of the season in Montana State. Traditionally, the Vikings play three or four nationally-ranked teams per year. Eastern Washington should also be nationally-ranked when the PSU meets the Eagles on Nov. 21.
     
The Vikings are 14-36 all-time (since 1996) against NCAA I FCS ranked teams. PSU is 10-14 at home, 4-22 on the road. Portland State has lost 19 straight games to nationally-ranked teams. The last win was a 47-36 victory over #11 Eastern Washington in 2008.
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE: VIKING QUICK NOTES
 
WINS AND LOSSES:
• Portland State is 3-6 this season, 2-2 at home, 1-4 on the road.
• The Vikings are 12-9 at home since the start of 2011, 7-15 on the road.
• Head Coach Nigel Burton has a 13-12 home record, 8-21 road record, and 21-33 overall record.
• The Vikings have eight winning records in 18 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• PSU is 63-38 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 32-76 on the road.
• PSU is 62-82 all-time in Big Sky Conference games in its 19th season as a member. The Vikings are 38-35 at home, 24-47 on the road in BSC games.
• PSU was 6-6 last season, 4-2 at home and 2-4 on the road.
 
A STEP BACK: After making all the right moves in a win at Weber State on Oct. 25, Portland State took a step backward in a loss to Idaho State. The Vikings were competitive through most of three quarters and totaled 424 yards of offense for the day. Meanwhile the defense held ISU to its fewest points (31) in seven weeks, and 150 yards below its season average (430). However, six turnovers and 13 penalties unraveled the good work that had PSU down just 17-10 and driving for a score in the third quarter.
 
RUN GAME SLOWED, PASS GAME INTERCEPTED: After totaling 639 rushing yards in its past two games, the Viking offense managed only 145 on 34 carries against Idaho State. That was enough to prevent the Vikings from having ball control in the game. Then, the Bengals picked off five passes, a career-high four from JR QB Kieran McDonagh, with two coming in the endzone. Although the Vikings had 424 yards of offense, six total turnovers were too much to overcome.
 
TURNOVER MARGIN: Giveaways and takeaways have been a point of contention for the Vikings this year with too many of the former (19) and not enough of the latter (10). PSU had a minus-5 turnover margin against Idaho State and are at minus-9 for the season, ranking second to last in the Big Sky Conference... PSU has now allowed 99 points off turnovers this season, while getting just 44 off forced turnovers.
 
RUNNING BACK BY COMMITTEE: Portland State's running game is evolving as the season continues. After two big games by FR RB Steven Long, SR RB Shaquille Richard got the start last Saturday. Richard led the Vikings with 10 carries for 52 yards. Long had six carries for 21 yards. Nine different players had carries in the game... Richard (531) and Long (507) lead the Viking running game. SO RB Nate Tago has 270 yards, while QBs Paris Penn and Kieran McDonagh have combined to rush for 398 yards... five different Vikings have rushing touchdowns this year, led by four from McDonagh.
 
5x100: With FR RB Steven Long rushing for a career-high 253 yards on Oct. 18, Portland State now has five players on its roster than have had at least one 100-yard rushing game. Here is each player's career-high:
Steven Long 253 vs. Northern Arizona, 2014
Kieran McDonagh   108 vs. North Dakota, 2013
Paris Penn_ 112 at Oregon State, 2014
Shaquille Richard   151 vs. Western Oregon, 2014
Nate Tago__ 106 vs. UC Davis, 2014
 
SPEAKING OF 100: SR LB Corey Crowder and JR CB Aaron Sibley each reached 100 career tackles in the game at Weber State. Crowder now has a team-leading 108, while Sibley has 106 in his career.
 
CLOSS ALSO REACHES 100: SR WR Kasey Closs had his best production of the season against Idaho State with nine catches for 139 yards and a touchdown. That pushes him to 105 career receptions in two seasons. Closs caught 63 passes to lead the Vikings last year and has a team-high 42 catches so far this season. Closs has a shot at reaching Portland State's career top-10s in both receptions and receiving yards by the end of the season. His career totals are 105 receptions, 1,705 yards and 12 touchdowns. He would need 17 more catches and 263 more yards to reach the PSU all-time top ten in each category.
 
GREAT RUN DEFENSE (MINUS ONE): Portland State's run defense has been solid for the past three seasons. And, if the Vikings didn't have to face Cal Poly's triple-option offense it would be the best run defense in the Big Sky Conference. On Sept. 20, the Vikings gave up a whopping 470 rushing yards to the Mustangs. In the eight games other than Cal Poly, PSU has allowed 702 rushing yards (87.7 ypg) on 241 carries (2.9 ypc)... for the season, the Vikings allow 130.2 rushing yards per game, good for second best in the conference.
 
EIGHT SYLLABLES OF PURSUIT: Nobody likes injuries, but sometimes the players that come in behind those injured prove they belong. SO DL Savali Talalemotu (suh-VOLL-ee tuh-LALL-ee-MO-too) had been playing backup at the tackle position this season. But, when the Vikings had some defensive ends go down, Talalemotu was tapped to go outside and contribute. He has started the last two games at defensive end. Last Saturday, Talalemotu made a career-high eight tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and forced a fumble recovered by the Vikings.
 
BACK WHERE HE BELONGS: 2013 consensus 1st team All-American SR P Kyle Loomis is the oldest Viking (he turned 27 on Sept. 30). But the All-American proves he is aging well, averaging 45.9 yards per punt this season to lead the nation. Loomis has 23 punts of 50 yards or better and 22 punts downed inside the 20-yard line... Loomis averaged 46.5 yards per punt last year to lead the nation and set a new PSU record.
 
YOU'LL GET A KICK OUT OF THIS: Through four games this season, Portland State's kicking game had produced only 4-20 field goal attempts over the previous 16 games (dating to the start of 2013). But, in the last five weeks Jonathan Gonzales has made 12-14 attempts and played a prominent role in the Viking offense. Gonzales was 3-4 on field goals against UC Davis, including a 53-yarder, which tied for second longest field goal in school history. At UND, Gonzales made kicks of 45, 23 and 37. The 37-yarder, which came in the fourth quarter and closed the Viking deficit to 17-16, was tipped at the line. But Gonzales had enough on it to clear the cross bar and produce three points... Gonzales made 1-2 against Northern Arizona, with the miss just wide right from 56 yards... he hit all three field goals at Weber State (41, 45, 18) and both against Idaho State (48, 33).
• Gonzales is 13-18 on field goals this year to rank first in the Big Sky Conference, and eighth in the nation.
• His 13 field goals made ties for eighth best in season in school history.
• Gonzales has made six straight field goals.
 
MOST FIELD GOALS MADE IN A SEASON
      1.   Zach Brown, 2011 24/27
      2.   Zach Brown, 2009 18/25
            Zach Brown, 2010 18/26
      4.   Danny Urrego, 2008 15/23
      5.   Dan Frantz, 1999 14/19
            Eric Azorr, 2006_ 14/21
            Mike Cajal-Willis, 2002 14/22
      8.   Mike Cajal-Willis, 2001 13/17
            Jonathan Gonzales, 2014 13/18
   10.   Mike Erickson, 1985 11/15
            John Kincheloe, 1979 11/16
            Mike Erickson, 1987 11/20
     
VETERANS: SR RB Shaq Richard has the most playing experience on the Viking team, competing in 41 career games. SR DE Brandon Tobias is second on that list with 37 games played, followed by SR LB Corey Crowder (35) and SR OL Cornelius Edison (35)... players with the most career starts are Edison (32), JR QB Kieran McDonagh (29), JR LS Kameron Canaday (26) and JR CB Aaron Sibley (24). Edison has started 32 games in a row.
 
TOUREEN GETS ANOTHER YEAR: WR Alex Toureen was granted an extra year of eligibility last week by the Big Sky Conference. Toureen was a freshman in 2011, but was injured in the third game of the season, missing the remainder of the year. Toureen, who is now effectively a junior, has 23 receptions for 308 yards and one touchdown this season. He has played in 31 career games, totaling 42 receptions, 591 yards and five touchdowns.
 
LOOMIS ON LIST FOR ARMED FORCES MERIT AWARD: After gathering information and reviewing the credentials for the "record" nominations for this year's Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America, the selection committee reviewed 15 "candidates" for the 2014 honor to be announced this Veteran's Day, November 11.
      "We are very pleased with the list of nominations for the 2014 Armed Forces Merit Award presented by the FWAA," said Brant Ringler, the executive director of the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.  "The 2014 nominees feature active college players, administrations, coaches, officials and programs that are currently involved with college football.  Our goal is to recognize these individuals for their valuable service to our country before their current involvement with the sport.  Our first two recipients were outstanding individuals that served in the military before returning to school to earn their degrees while making an impact on their football teams."
 
PREVIOUS WINNERS
      2012: Nate Boyer, University of Texas long snapper (U. S. Army)
      2013: Brandon McCoy, University of North Texas defensive lineman (U. S. Army)
 
2014 Armed Forces Merit Award Nominees
College Player - Active
Jason Everding, Incarnate Word offensive lineman (U. S. Marines)
Nick Jones, UTEP tight end (U. S. Marines)
Kyle Loomis, Portland State punter (U. S. Army)
Tehuti Miles, Maryland wide receiver (U. S. Army)
A. J. Mobley, Florida wide receiver (U. S. Marines)
Lennie Richardson, Georgia Southern defensive end (U. S. Army)
Steven Rhodes, Middle Tennessee defensive end (U. S. Marines)
Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson wide receiver (U. S. Marines)
 
College Administration, Coaching Staff & Football Operations
Kent Baer, Colorado defensive coordinator
Dr. Hans J. Mueh, United States Air Force Academy Athletic Director
Nathan Peterson, Oklahoma State defensive graduate assistant (U. S. Marines)
 
College Football Officials - Active
Raymond Daniel (Mid-American Conference, Temple Hills, MD, Army National Guard)
Steve Thielen (Mid-American Conference, Eagan, MN, U. S. Army)
 
Programs
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics - Wounded Warrior Project™
Kansas State Football Team & 1-28 Black Lions