Portland State completed its 2014 football season with a 3-9 record overall, 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference. The Vikings took a step back from a 6-6/3-5 campaign in 2013. PSU was 2-3 at home, 1-6 on the road in 2014.
     
Following the season, Head Coach Nigel Burton's contract was terminated with one year remaining. Offensive Coordinator Bruce Barnum was named the interim Head Coach.
 
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS (through Nov. 30)
• Portland State's kicking game was outstanding in 2014. SR P Kyle Loomis led the nation in punting for the second year in a row with a 46.0 average. In 2013, he had a school-record 46.5 punting average, and his 46.2 career average also sets a new school record... SO K Jonathan Gonzales led the Big Sky Conference by making 17-24 field goals on the season, and ranked ninth in the nation with 1.42 made per game. He was also the only full-time kicker to be perfect on extra points (33-33). Gonzales made eight straight field goals at one point in the season.
• PSU rushed for exactly 2,500 yards on the season, marking the fifth straight year under offensive coordinator Bruce Barnum that the Vikings have rushed for more than 2,000 yards and more than 200 yards per game (208.3). The top four rushing seasons in school history have come in the last four seasons (3,330 in 2013; 2,726 in 2011; 2,500 in 2014; 2,382 in 2013).
• The Viking offensive line protected the quarterback as well as ever in 2014. PSU led the Big Sky Conference with the fewest sacks allowed on the season (10) despite throwing 423 passes. PSU has allowed only 35 sacks over 46 games the last four seasons while throwing 1,410 passes.
• SO CB Xavier Coleman had 12 pass breakups and 13 passes defended (1 INT) to lead the Big Sky Conference in both categories. He ranked 12th in the nation in pass breakups and had the third-most in school history in just 10 games.
• SR DT Joe Lopez was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team. Lopez was a two-year starter on the line. He had 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and a forced fumble this season. He maintained a 3.50 GPA in Sport and Exercise Science.
• Portland State was third in the Big Sky in rushing defense (160.8) and seventh in total defense (443.2).
• SR C Cornelius Edison and SR P Kyle Loomis were both named first team All-Big Sky Conference. SO K Jonathan Gonzales and JR CB Aaron Sibley were named to the All-Big Sky second team. Vikings earning honorable mention All-Big Sky were: SR WR Kasey Closs, SO RG Cam Keizur, SO LT Kyle Smith, SR DT Joe Lopez, JR DT Junior Alexis, JR LB Jeremy Lutali, SO CB Xavier Coleman, SR DE Brandon Tobias and FR RB Steven Long.
 
LOOMIS, EDISON NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE
Portland state center Cornelius Edison and punter Kyle Loomis were named first team All-Big Sky Conference in a vote of league coaches. Edison and Loomis, both seniors, were fitting selections to the first team after being named co-MVPs of the Viking team by a vote of their teammates.
     
Edison, a senior from University Place, WA, was a leader on an offense that rushed for exactly 2,500 yards this year and more than 200 yards per game for the fourth straight season. Also, the Vikings allowed the fewest sacks in the Big Sky this season (10) while throwing 423 passes. Over the last four years (46 games) PSU has allowed only 35 sacks. Edison was third team All-Big Sky Conference in 2013 and preseason All-Big Sky Conference in 2014. A team captain this season, Edison moved over to center after three seasons at left guard.
     
Loomis, a senior from Roseburg, is now a two-time first team All-Big Sky selection. He was a consensus first team All-American in 2013 when he led the nation in punting. Loomis appears to be on track for similar honors in 2014 when they are released in the coming weeks. Loomis led the nation in punting for the second year in a row with a 46.0 average. He had 30 punts of over 50 yards and 32 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Last season, Loomis averaged a PSU-record 46.5 yards per punt. His career average of 46.2 is also a school record.
     
Sophomore kicker Jonathan Gonzales and junior cornerback Aaron Sibley were named second team All-Big Sky Conference.
     
Gonzales led the Big Sky in field goals made (17-24), ranking ninth in the nation at 1.42 per game. His 17 field goals were the most of any kicker in the conference. The native of Apple Valley, CA is also the only starting kicker in the conference to make every extra point this season (33-33).
     
Sibley, a third-year starter from Decatur, GA, was honorable mention All-Big Sky in 2013. This season he ranked fourth on the team with 53 tackles. He had seven pass breakups and one interception.
     
Among the Vikings earning honorable mention All-Big Sky were: SR WR Kasey Closs, SO RG Cam Keizur, SO LT Kyle Smith, SR DT Joe Lopez, JR DT Junior Alexis, JR LB Jeremy Lutali, SO CB Xavier Coleman, SR DE Brandon Tobias and FR RB Steven Long.
     
Closs led the Vikings with 42 receptions this season in 10 games. He also had four touchdowns. Keizur and Smith started every game on the offensive line for the Vikings. Alexis had 49 tackles and five tackles for loss, while Lopez added 25 tackles and five tackles for loss. Lutali was the team leader in tackles (87) and tackles for loss (10.5). Coleman had 45 tackles and 12 pass breakups in 10 games, ranking 12th in the nation in that category. Tobias made 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks on the season. Long had 88 carries for 605 yards (6.9 pc) and two touchdowns.
 
LOOMIS, EDISON SHARE TOP HONORS FOR VIKING FOOTBALL TEAM
An unusual combo took top honors at the Portland State Football Post-season Banquet, but nobody in the room would doubt both Viking football players were worthy. Viking punter Kyle Loomis and center Cornelius Edison shared team Most Valuable Player honors. Loomis, a senior from Roseburg, OR, and Edison, a senior from University Place, WA, tied in the balloting done by teammates.
     
Loomis was a consensus first team All-American in 2013 when he led the nation in punting. He appears to be on track for similar honors in 2014 as they are released in the coming weeks. Loomis led the nation in punting for the second year in a row with a 46.0 average. Last season, he averaged a PSU-record 46.5 yards per punt. His career average of 46.2 is also a school record.
     
Edison, who is in his fourth season as a starter on the offensive line, has been a leader on an offense that has rushed for exactly 2,500 yards and more than 200 yards per game for the fourth straight season in 2014. Also, the Vikings allowed only 10 sacks this season while throwing 423 passes. Over the last four years (46 games) PSU has allowed only 35 sacks. Edison was 3rd team All-Big Sky Conference in 2013 and preseason All-Big Sky Conference in 2014. A team captain this season, Edison moved over to center after three seasons at left guard.
     
Not surprisingly, Loomis was also named PSU's Special Teams Player of the Year, and Edison was named the Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
     
Earning Outstanding Offensive Back honors was redshirt freshman Steven Long. Despite starting only two games this season, Long still ranked second on the team in rushing with 605 yards. His 6.9 yard rushing average was also tops among all Viking tailbacks. Long, from Lake Oswego, OR, produced games of 253 yards against Northern Arizona and 118 yards in a win over Weber State.
     
Defensive tackle Junior Alexis was selected as the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman. Alexis, a native of Los Angeles, ranked fifth on the team this year with 49 tackles. He also had five tackles for loss and two sacks.
     
Earning outstanding defensive back honors was Xavier Coleman. A sophomore from Portland's Jesuit High School, Coleman started every game in which he played. Coleman had 45 tackles, a sack, an interception and 12 pass breakups to lead the team. His pass breakup total ranks in a tie for third-most in a season in PSU history.
     
Redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Kraght was named Most Improved on the team. Kraght, from Lynden, WA, took over as the starter for the final three games of the season. In those games, he totaled 521 yards and two touchdowns.
     
Senior Brandon Tobias was selected as the team's Most Inspirational Player. Tobias, from Torrance, CA, battled mid-season injuries. But, he still performed well as an undersized defensive end (6-2, 220). A team co-captain, Tobias has 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and a team-leading four sacks in 10 games.
     
Freshman quarterback Aidan Wilder was named the Scout Team Player of the Year. The Central Catholic High School product will be a redshirt freshman in 2015.
     
Senior defensive tackle Joe Lopez was named the Mike Schrunk Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Lopez, from Portland's Central Catholic High School, is in his second season as a starter. He earned Academic All-District honors earlier this month and is on the ballot for Academic All-American consideration. He maintains a 3.50 GPA in Exercise and Sport Science. This season, he had 25 tackles and five tackles for loss.
 
Portland State Football also honored Tim Boyle of Columbia Sportswear with the Charles Withers Memorial Award. The award is given to those who have made a significant contribution to the program.
 
2014 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL TEAM AWARDS
co-Most Valuable Players: SR P Kyle Loomis, SR C Cornelius Edison
Most Inspirational Player: SR DE Brandon Tobias
Most Improved Player: FR QB Josh Kraght
Outstanding Offensive Lineman: SR C Cornelius Edison
Outstanding Offensive Back: FR RB Steven Long
Outstanding Defensive Lineman: JR DT Junior Alexis
Outstanding Defensive Back: SO CB Xavier Coleman
Special Teams Player of the Year: SR P Kyle Loomis
Scout Team Player of the Year: FR QB Aidan Wilder
Mike Schrunk Scholar-Athlete Award: SR DT Joe Lopez
Charles Withers Memorial Award: Tim Boyle
 
BURTON'S CONTRACT TERMINATED AT END OF SEASON
Portland State University announced on Nov. 26 that Head Football Coach Nigel Burton's contract was being terminated. During Burton's five years at PSU, the Vikings posted 21 wins and 36 losses, including a 3-9 record this season.
     
"We appreciate what Coach Burton has done for the program," said Interim Athletic Director Valerie Cleary, "but we believe new leadership gives our talented players a chance to make a fresh start."
     
Cleary and President Wim Wiewel informed Burton of the decision that morning. Burton was hired to replace Jerry Glanville in 2009. Prior to coming to PSU, Burton was a defensive coordinator at University of Nevada.
     
"Coach Burton had a good second year, and he was very successful at recruiting players from Oregon and Washington, and has two former players now playing in the NFL," Cleary said.  "We have great student-athletes and staff. They deserve the chance to be successful."
     
Offensive Coordinator Bruce Barnum has been named the interim head coach. A native of Vancouver, Barnum has been the OC for the past five seasons.
     
Burton had one year left on a three-and-a-half year contract. PSU will pay him the remainder of his contract at $187,500. Under the terms of his contract, if Burton is hired elsewhere next year, he will receive less than that amount and would be paid the difference between his contract payout and a new salary.
     
"I want to thank our alumni and fans and remind them that it's an exciting time for all of PSU Athletics," Wiewel. said.  "We'll soon be hiring a new athletic director who will decide on a permanent head coach and start construction on our new Viking Pavilion Athletic and educational building."
 
WHO IS GONE, WON IS BACK, FOR 2015
Portland State had 71 players letter during the 2014 season. There were 14 seniors on the roster, only 12 of whom played due to injury. Potentially, 58 letterwinners could return in 2015. Including redshirts and others, a total of 83 players may return in 2015.
       
The Vikings will return 16 starters, six on offense, eight on defense and two on special teams. A total of 33 players who have made starts during their careers are scheduled to return in 2014.
     
A breakdown of who is going and who is staying (/ means players shared starts):
 
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (6): LT Kyle Smith, RG Cam Keizur, RT Mike Davis, QB Kieran McDonagh, WR Alex Toureen, WR Thomas Carter
OFFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (5): C Cornelius Edison, LG James Seumaala, WR Kasey Closs, RB Shaquille Richard, TE Tyson Heller
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (8): S Demetrius Jackson/Beau Duronslet, S Patrick Onwuasor/Darien Washington, CB Aaron Sibley, CB Xavier Coleman, LB Jeremy Lutali, LB Brandon Brody-Heim/John Norcross, DE Sadat Sulleyman/Savali Talalemotu, DT Junior Alexis
DEFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (3): LB Corey Crowder, DE Brandon Tobias, DT Joe Lopez
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS RETURNING (2): K Jonathan Gonzales, LS Kameron Canaday
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS LOST (1): P Kyle Loomis
OTHER SENIORS LOST (5): WR Roston Tatum, LB Jake Woolley, K Nick Fernandez, WR Josh Milhollin, DT Vincent Johnson
OTHER LETTERWINNERS THAT RETURN (career starts): WR David Jones (6), WR Jamarr Graves, RB Steven Long (3), WR Joshua Smith, LB Anthony McNichols (2), QB Paris Penn, K Marcus Kinsella, QB Josh Kraght (3), CB Malik Cyphers, WR Austin Baird, WR Stevie Coury, RB Nate Tago, CB Chevy Walker (2), WR Anthony Jenkins, RB Rey Vega, RB Rochon Taylor, RB Mitchell Thompson, RB Zack Dwyer, CB Kahlil Dawson, LB Nick Rothstein (4), LB Kawika Stant, OL Justin Outslay, LB Zack Berg, LB Dennis Taylor (1), OL John Wolfe, OL Josh Hanson (1), OL Randin Crecelius, TE Jacob Nall, WR Darnell Adams (2), TE Cam Sommer (5), WR Trevor Dye, DE Cutter Baldock, DT William Dawson, DT Daniel Fusi (4), DE Michael Doman (5), TE Desmoun Thompson, DE Dame Ndiaye, DE Davond Dade.
OTHER LETTERWINNERS LOST (career starts): CB Max Lyons (1)
 
PORTLAND STATE IN THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE
Portland State completed its 19th season as a member of the Big Sky Conference after moving up from Division II in 1996. The Vikings have never won the Big Sky title, but have finished second three times. PSU's all-time Big Sky record is 62-85.
 
Year   W-L BSC  Place      Coach
1996    3-8  1-7   8th           Walsh
1997    4-7  3-5   7th           Walsh
1998    5-6  4-4   t4th          Walsh
1999    8-3  6-2   t2nd         Walsh
2000    8-4* 5-3   t2nd         Walsh
2001    7-4  5-2   t2nd         Walsh
2002    6-5  3-4   t4th          Walsh
2003    4-7  1-6   7th           Walsh
2004    7-4  4-3   t3rd          Walsh
2005    6-5  4-3   t3rd          Walsh
2006    7-4  6-2   t2nd         Walsh
2007    3-8  3-5   t6th          Glanville
2008    4-7  3-5   t6th          Glanville
2009    2-9  1-7   t7th          Glanville
2010    2-9  1-7   8th           Burton
2011    7-4  5-3   t3rd          Burton
2012    3-8  2-6   t11th        Burton
2013    6-6  3-5   9th           Burton
2014    3-9  2-6   t10th        Burton
 
* NCAA playoffs
 
SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE: VIKING QUICK NOTES
 
WINS AND LOSSES:
• Portland State was 3-9 in 2014, 2-3 at home, 1-6 on the road.
• Head Coach Nigel Burton had a 13-13 home record, 8-23 road record, and 21-36 overall record.
• The Vikings have eight winning records in 19 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• PSU is 63-39 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 32-78 on the road.
• PSU is 62-85 all-time in Big Sky Conference games in its 19th season as a member. The Vikings are 38-36 at home, 24-49 on the road in BSC games.
 
RUNNING BACK BY COMMITTEE: Portland State's running game evolved throughout the season, and it shows up in the numbers.
• SR RB Shaquille Richard led the Vikings with 688 rushing yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns. Richard completed his four-year career with 1,940 rushing yards (14th all-time at PSU) and 11 touchdowns. He caught 42 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns.
• FR RB Steven Long was second on the team with 605 yards, two touchdowns and 6.9 yards per carry. Long had games of 253 rushing yards against Northern Arizona and 118 yards against Idaho State. Long's game of 253 yards ranks ninth-best in school history.
• SO RB Nate Tago rushed for 354 yards and three touchdowns.
• QBs Paris Penn, Kieran McDonagh and Josh Kraght combined to rush for 614 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Seven different Vikings had rushing touchdowns, led by four from McDonagh.
• For the fifth straight season, PSU had over 2,000 rushing yards (2,500) and averaged over 200 yards rushing per game (208.3).
• PSU's 2,500 rushing yards was the third-most in a season in school history (3,330 in 2013; 2,726 in 2011; 2,500 in 2014; 2,382 in 2012). The top four rushing seasons have come in the past four years.
 
5x100: FR QB Josh Kraght came very close to a 100-yard rushing game against Montana State (96). He would have been the sixth Viking on the roster to accomplish that feat. 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
 
OFFENSIVE LINE DOMINANCE: Portland State's offensive line has been its most consistent positon over the last four years. The Vikings allowed a league-low 10 sacks this year on 423 pass attempts. That is the most pass attempts in the last four seasons. PSU has given up only 35 sacks over the last 46 games (4 seasons) while throwing the football 1,410 times.
 
TURNOVER MARGIN: Giveaways and takeaways were a point of contention for the Vikings this year with too many of the former (26) and not enough of the latter (14). PSU ranked last in the league in turnover margin at -12 (-1.0 per game)... PSU allowed 141 points off turnovers, while getting just 65 off forced turnovers.
 
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS: JR LB Jeremy Lutali led Portland State's defense with 87 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2014... SO CB Xavier Coleman led the team - and led the Big Sky Conference - with 12 pass breakups. The total ranks third in Portland State history. With a total of 13 passes defended (1 INT), Coleman ranked 12th in the nation (1.30 per game in 10 games)... JR DE Sadat Sulleyman and SO DE Savali Talalemotu led the Vikings with 4.5 sacks each. The Viking defense had a total of 26 sacks on the season... the Viking defense held five opponents to 76 rushing yards or less in 2014.
 
TACKLERS AT 100: SR LB Corey Crowder (127), JR CB Aaron Sibley (110) and JR LB Jeremy Lutali (116) all passed 100 career tackles in the 2014 season.
 
RECEIVERS AT 100: SR WR Kasey Closs (105) and JR WR Thomas Carter (104) each passed 100 career receptions.
 
GREAT RUN DEFENSE (MOST OF THE TIME): Portland State gave up 1,328 yards rushing yards (332.0 ypg) to Cal Poly, Montana State, Sacramento State and Eastern Washington - four of the best rushing teams in the Big Sky Conference. PSU's other eight opponents have only 702 rushing yards (87.7 ypg) on 241 carries (2.9 ypc).
 
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 proved he is aging well, averaging 46.0 yards per punt in 2014 to again lead the nation. Loomis had 32 punts of 50 yards or better and 33 punts downed inside the 20-yard line... Loomis averaged 46.5 yards per punt in 2013 to lead the nation and set a new PSU record... his 46.2 career mark is also a Portland State record.
 
ANOTHER GOOD FOOT: SO K Jonathan Gonzales led the Big Sky Conference with 17 field goals made, ranking ninth in the nation. Gonzales was also the only full-time kicker in the Big Sky to be perfect on extra points (33-33).
• Gonzales' 17 field goals made ranked fourth in season in school history. Only Zach Brown (18, 18, 24) has made more field goals in a single season as a Viking.
• Gonzales had a streak of eight straight field goals made during the season.
 
KIERAN MAKES THE TOP 10: JR QB Kieran McDonagh wrapped up his junior season among the top 10 quarterbacks in Portland State history in several categories: yards, touchdowns, completions and total offense... passing yards (5,865, 7th), touchdown passes (41, t7th), pass completions (442/830, 7^th), total offensive yards (6,894, 4^th)… McDonagh also became the second Viking quarterback in history to pass 1,000 yards rushing (1,029). He has 17 rushing touchdowns to go with 41 passing touchdowns and one receiving TD. Here is a look at McDonagh's numbers:
 
LOPEZ NAMED ACADEMIC ALL DISTRICT 8: SR DT Joe Lopez was named to the Capital One Academic All-District 8 team for his achievement on the football field and in the classroom. Lopez was one of 24 student-athletes among all Division I schools in the eight-state District 8 region to be honored. He will now go to the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration.
      Lopez, a 6-foot, 275-pound senior from Portland's Central Catholic High School, is a two-year starter on the Viking team. This year, Lopez has 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and a forced fumble through 10 games. He has 46 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss over two seasons. Lopez was named honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference in 2013. He maintains a 3.50 GPA in Exercise and Sport Science.
 
VETERANS: SR RB Shaq Richard had the most playing experience on the Viking team, competing in 44 career games. SR DE Brandon Tobias was second on that list with 40 games played, followed by SR LB Corey Crowder (38) and SR OL Cornelius Edison (38)... players with the most career starts were Edison (35), JR QB Kieran McDonagh (29), JR LS Kameron Canaday (29) and JR CB Aaron Sibley (27). Edison started 35 games in a row.
 
LOOMIS ON LIST FOR ARMED FORCES MERIT AWARD: Portland State punter Kyle Loomis was one of 15 finalists for the Armed Forced Merit Award presented by the Football Writers Association of America on Veteran's Day, November 11. The 2014 nominees featured active college players, administrations, coaches, officials and programs that are currently involved with college football. The goal of the award was to recognize those individuals for their valuable service to our country before their current involvement with the sport.         
      Daniel Rodriguez of Clemson won the honor. He served in the Army from 2006-10, with a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2009. Rodriguez, a senior playing special teams for the Tigers, was wounded in battle against the Taliban and was awarded a Purple Heart.
 
TASTY, YET INSIGNIFICANT, TIDBITS:
• Portland State has appeared on television locally in Portland 59 times since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996. PSU is 20-39 in those games, 13-13 at home, 7-26 on the road... PSU was 1-4 in televised games in 2014.
• Portland State is 29-37-2 all-time in season-opening games.
• The Vikings are 15-4 in home opening games since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996. They are 36-21-1 in home openers since 1958.
• With a 45-38 win over Western Oregon, the Vikings are 14-0 against lower division teams since moving to the Big Sky Conference in 1996.
• PSU has played three Big Sky Conference schools in non-conference games over the last three seasons, going 1-2. The Vikings lost at North Dakota, 45-37, in 2012; won at UC Davis, 41-10, in 2013; and lost at Cal Poly, 42-14, in 2014.
• Portland State is 4-1 all-time in Thursday games. The Vikings played their first-ever Friday game this year, November 21 vs. Eastern Washington, losing 56-34.
 
PORTLAND STATE AND THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE: Portland State completed its 19th season as a member of the Big Sky Conference and Division I football in 2014. The Vikings are 62-85 all-time in Big Sky games, 38-36 at home and 24-49 on the road.
     
Former coach Tim Walsh (42-41 in Big Sky games) led the Vikings through the first 11 years, and Jerry Glanville (7-17) was the head coach for three seasons. Nigel Burton was 13-27 in Big Sky games in five seasons as head coach.
     
The Vikings have never won a Big Sky title, but tied for second four times, tied for third two times, and tied for fourth twice under Walsh. The Vikings finished sixth, sixth and eighth under Glanville. Burton has placed in a tie for eighth, third, tie for 11th, 9th, and a tie for 10th.
      PSU has made one NCAA I playoff appearance (2000) after placing second in the Big Sky.
 
VIKING ONE-LINERS (and sometimes two)
• Portland State had a pair of former players meet in the Super Bowl for the first time in history last February. TE Julius Thomas ('10, Denver) and DB DeShawn Shead ('11, Seattle) both played in Super Bowl XLVIII. Shead joins Clint Didier and Ted Popson as former Vikings with Super Bowl rings. Thomas was named a Pro Bowl tight end in 2013.
• SR 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.
• RS FR RB Steven Long had brain surgery in April 2013 to remove an infectious lesion. 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. Long had surgery on April 28 and, miraculously, made it back on the field for the opening of practice in August. Long's father, Jeff, played at Portland State from 1978-81.
• SO CB Xavier Coleman overcame a heart condition to play college football. In high school he was diagnosed with a heart condition following his freshman season and told he could no longer play football due to the high level of contact. Coleman was still allowed to compete in basketball and track. Prior to his senior year, Coleman's condition worsened and he was told he needed heart surgery to, essentially, repair a leaky valve. The surgery was done at Stanford and his doctor told him he would be able to return to football if he chose, six months after it was completed. Coleman was finally given the go-ahead to play late in his senior season at Jesuit High School. He competed in the final two regular season games and four playoff games. On that brief career, he was given a scholarship to play football at PSU. Coleman became a starter late in his freshman season and has not given up the role since.
• SR P Kyle Loomis had been away from college football for seven years. He spent four years in the Army and will be 27 on Sept. 30. He led the nation in punting in 2013 with a 46.5 average. Loomis had 18 punts go over 50 yards., with a pair of 67-yard punts and one that traveled 66 yards. Portland State's 41.7 net punting average also led the nation. Loomis accomplished all of this after seven years away from football. He was a veteran of one season of football as the starting punter at Oregon State in 2006, then nearly four years in the US Army.
• JR WR Thomas Carter, SR WR Josh Milhollin and JR WR David Jones were all high school quarterbacks. Carter and Milhollin started their PSU careers as quarterbacks.
• SO TE Cam Sommer's older brother, Carl, played defensive end at Portland State (2009-11).
• JR DE Sadat Sulleyman was born in Accra, Ghana. He has also lived in Europe and New York.
• SO 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.
• SR 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.
• SO DE Michael Doman is one of 16 children in his family - 13 boys and three girls. He is also married (Julianne) and has two sons, Dee (16 months) and Carder (one month).
• FR RB Rey Vega has written, sung, mixed and filmed numerous songs (look him up on You Tube).
• Portland State has 12 players that were formerly members of FBS programs.
• JR 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.
• SO K 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).
• SO TE Jacob Nall's brother, Ryan, was the Oregon 6A High School Player of the Year in 2013 and is now playing at Oregon State.
• Viking Defensive Coordinator Jaime Hill was a member of Tim Walsh's defensive coaching staff at Portland State from 1993-97.