complete notes and stats in pdf

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^#11 PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (8-2, 5-2) vs. ^#18/^#19 EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES (6-4, 5-2)
Game 11 • Saturday, November 21, 2015, 2:05 p.m. • Roos Field (8,600), Cheney, WA

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TELEVISION: None
RADIO: Rip City Radio 620 AM (KPOJ), www.ripcityradio.com • Pregame Show: 1 p.m. • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: www.GoViks.com • Live stats: www.ViksLive.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. EAGLES
All-Time Series: Portland State leads 19-17-1 • PSU leads 10-9 in Portland • PSU leads 9-7-1 in Cheney • EWU leads 1-0 in Seattle
Big Sky Series: Eastern Washington leads 11-8 • Eastern Washington leads 6-4 in Portland • The series is tied 4-4 in Cheney • Eastern Washington leads 1-0 in Seattle
 
LAST YEAR, Nov. 21, 2014: Eastern Washington 56, Portland State 34
Eastern Washington scored 42 second-half points to break away from a 14-14 halftime tie. The Eagles totaled 494 yards of offense, forced five turnovers and returned an interception and kickoff for touchdowns to overwhelm the Vikings.
     
All-American quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a third score. Running back Jabari Wilson gained 132 yards and scored three TDs.
     
Portland State out-gained the Eagles with 522 yards of offense but couldn't overcome its mistakes. Eastern Washington took the Vikings first four turnovers and scored 28 points.
 
A CHANCE AT A TITLE FOR VIKINGS IN THE SEASON FINALE
The Portland State Vikings go into their season finale at Eastern Washington this Saturday with so much to play for. PSU, 8-2 overall, 5-2 in the Big Sky Conference, and ranked 11th in the nation, appear to be favorites for an at-large berth to the NCAA Playoffs beginning Nov. 28. However, one more win would give the Vikings a shot at a share of the Big Sky Conference title, and maybe even an automatic bid to the playoffs. To do so, PSU must beat the Eagles (6-4, 5-2, ranked 18th/19th in the nation), and get some help from Northern Arizona (7-3, 5-2) in its game against Southern Utah (7-3, 6-1).
     
Eastern Washington has much to play for as well as it seeks a share of the Big Sky title and potential NCAA playoff bid. Also in the conference title equation is Montana (6-4, 5-2), which plays at Montana State.
     
Portland State and Eastern Washington will square off in the annual Dam Cup game. The Dam Cup is a sports competition between PSU and EWU. This year, the competition has been changed to football-only. Eastern is the defending Dam Cup champion, and also won in the 2012-13 school year. Portland State won The Dam Cup in the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons. The Eagles have won four of the football games in the five-year existence of the award (SEE DAM CUP COMPETITION CHANGES below).
     
Kickoff this Saturday is 2:05 p.m. at Roos Field. The game is not televised but a live video stream is available. The game will air on Rip City Radio 620 (KPOJ) in Portland, as well as ripcityradio.com on the internet. The pre-game show airs at 1 p.m. Live video, audio and stats can all be found at GoViks.com.
     
Portland State goes into the game winners of five out of six, including a 24-23 decision last week to first-place Southern Utah. The Eagles have lost their last two games after a six-game winning streak. In the two losses, Eastern has given up 109 points.
     
The Vikings are 4-1 on the road this year. The Eagles are 3-1 at home. Eastern Washington has won three in a row in the series and five of the last six meetings overall.
     
Eastern Washington will be the Vikings' fifth nationally-ranked opponent of the year. So far, the Vikings are 4-0 against ranked teams.
 
STORYLINES AND SERIES HISTORY
• Eastern Washington is the defending Big Sky Conference Champion and has had a share of the conference title in four of the last five seasons.
• The Eagles feature two-time All-American Cooper Kupp (197 catches, 3,122 yards, 38 TDs in his first two seasons).
• Eastern Washington is the closest - in proximity - Big Sky Conference opponent, and the Eagles also maintain the longest continuous series with the Vikings. This year the teams will meet for the 26th consecutive season.
• Eastern Washington won the national championship in 2010, reached the semifinals in 2012 and 2013 and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2014.
• The Eagles have won three straight games in the series and five of the last six. Including the Vikings' wins in 2008 and 2011, the winner of the game has scored at least 41 points in the last seven meetings between the schools. The 56 points scored by the Eagles last season are their most ever in the series with Portland State.
• Portland State's all-time best passing game (Drew Hubel, 623 yards, 2008, 47-36 win) and rushing game (Ryan Fuqua, 393 yards, 2001, 37-22 win) and longest pass play (Jimmy Blanchard to Terry Charles, 99 yards, 1998, 48-39 win) have come against Eastern Washington.
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Despite the loss of All-American quarterback Vernon Adams in the off-season, the Eastern Washington Eagles have not skipped a beat on offense in 2015. The Eagles average 487.3 yards and 35 points per game this season.
     
Jordan West has been brilliant at quarterback, completing 230 of 356 passes for 3,002 yards, 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Eagles average over 367 passing yards per game to lead the Big Sky Conference.
     
Another All-American, junior wide receiver Cooper Kupp, is producing his usual numbers as well with 106 catches for 1,506 yards and 18 touchdowns. His running mate, Kendrick Bourne has 68 receptions for 952 yards and eight TDs.
     
West leads the Big Sky in passing yards, while Kupp leads in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
     
Defense has been another matter for Eastern Washington. The Eagles are giving up 484.3 yards and 40.1 points per game, ranking 12th in the Big Sky Conference in each category. They have also allowed opponents to convert 47% of their third downs and 71% of their fourth downs, both worst in the Big Sky. In losses over the last two weeks, Eastern has given up 109 points.
     
The Eagles have committed 20 turnovers in 10 games while forcing 14.
 
VIKINGS RESUME SAYS "PICK ME" COME PLAYOFF TIME
Battling the Big Sky Conference's first-place team and the league's stingiest defense last Saturday, the Portland State Vikings added another line to a growing resume of success in 2015.
     
In a game in which neither team held an advantage of more than one score, Portland State hung on to beat the Southern Utah, 24-23, and improve to 8-2 on the season. Now 5-2 in the Big Sky, PSU stands one game behind Southern Utah (6-1) with one week to play in the regular season. If the Vikings can win on the road at Eastern Washington and get some help from Northern Arizona in its game with Southern Utah next Saturday, PSU would have at least a share of the Big Sky Championship. A tie-breaker process would then go into effect to determine which team (five still have a chance to finish 6-2) would earn an automatic bid into the NCAA playoffs beginning on Nov. 28.
     
At eight wins, the Vikings would already appear to have an NCAA at-large berth in their pockets. However, it is not guaranteed and would be up to the NCAA Division I Playoff Committee on Nov. 22 when it selects and places 13 at-large teams to go with 11 automatic bids in the 24-team playoff bracket.
     
Still, win or lose at Eastern Washington next Saturday, the Vikings should have the resume to be selected into the playoffs. Here are their credentials:
 
• 8-2 on the season, 5-2 and tied for second place in the Big Sky Conference. PSU is currently the only eight-win team in the Big Sky, one of the top conferences at the FCS level.
• Ranked 15th in the nation and destined to rise higher following a win when Monday's national rankings are released.
• 4-0 against nationally-ranked teams this season.
• 2-0 against FBS programs, including 7-3 Washington State (24-7), and a blowout of North Texas (66-7, biggest victory margin by an FCS program over an FBS program in NCAA history)
• Winners of five of the last six games, including traditional powerhouses Montana and Montana State.
 
These five teams still hold hopes of a share of the Big Sky Conference title and potential automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.
 
Southern Utah          6-1, 7-3 (vs. Northern Arizona)
Portland State          5-2, 8-2 (at Eastern Washington)
Northern Arizona      5-2, 7-3 (at Southern Utah)
Eastern Washington           5-2, 6-4 (vs. Portland State)
Montana         5-2, 6-4 (at Montana State)
 
Portland State, now in its 20th season in the Big Sky, has never won a league title. The Vikings have tied for second place four times. PSU has made one appearance in the NCAA I FCS playoffs (2000) after making eight trip to the NCAA II playoffs.
 
THE NCAA DIVISION I POST-SEASON
The Big Sky Conference champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs, beginning on Nov. 28. 24 teams qualify for the NCAA playoffs, with eight games on Nov. 28 and eight teams earning first-round byes.    
     
The NCAA Division I Football Championship bracket will be announced on Sunday, November 22. The field consists of 11 automatic qualifiers and 13 at-large teams selected by the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee.   
     
The top eight teams in the 24-team bracket for the championship are seeded and receive first-round byes. Team pairings are determined according to geographical proximity. Teams from the same conference will not be paired for first round games or for second round games when both teams are playing their first games of the championship (except for teams from the same conference that did not play against each other during the regular season; such teams may play each other in the first and second round).   
     
Eight first-round games will be conducted on Saturday, November 28 on the campus of one of the competing institutions, and the winners will advance to the second round. The second round also features eight games on Saturday, December 5 on the campus of one of the competing teams. Second round winners meet in the quarterfinals on December 11 or 12 on the campus of one of the competing institutions with the winners advancing to the semifinal games on December 18 or 19 also on campus. The winners will play in the 2016 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game in Frisco, Texas on Saturday, January 9 at 11 a.m. Central Time.
 
COLEMAN NAMED BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK
A pair of key interceptions by Xavier Coleman led Portland State to a 24-23 win over first-place Southern Utah on Saturday. It has also earned Coleman Big Sky Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
     
Coleman, a junior cornerback from Portland's Jesuit High School, intercepted both passes at the PSU two-yard line - one in the second quarter and one in the third quarter - as Southern Utah was threatening to score. In addition, Coleman had three tackles and three pass breakups for the Vikings.
     
With five interceptions this season, Coleman ranks second in the Big Sky Conference behind teammate Patrick Onwuasor (9). His 13 pass breakups and 18 passes defended lead the Big Sky Conference.
     
Coleman shares Defensive Player of the Week honors with defensive end Tyrone Holmes of Montana.
     
Coleman is the sixth Viking and third defensive player to earn Big Sky Player of the Week honors this season (David Jones, offense; Aaron Sibley, Patrick Onwuasor, defense; Kahlil Dawson, Jonathan Gonzales, special teams).
 
BEST RECORDS IN VIKING DIVISION I HISTORY
Portland State's eight wins are the most at the Division I level. Here are PSU's top regular season records as a Division I program (1977-80, 1996-present):
 
2015    8-2
1999    8-3
2000    8-3 (finished 8-4 after playoffs)
1980    8-3
2001    7-4
2004    7-4
2006    7-4
2011    7-4
 
At the NCAA II level, PSU had regular season records of 9-1-1 (1987), 9-2 (1991), 8-2 (1993, 1994), 8-2-1 (1988), and 8-3 (1975, 1976, 1984, 1989).
 
VIKINGS JUMP UP TO 11TH IN THIS WEEK'S POLLS
Portland State's big win over Big Sky Conference leader Southern Utah has vaulted the Vikings back up to 11th in the nation in both the Stats FCS Top 25 and the FCS Coaches Poll. PSU had previously been 15th/18th in the respective polls.
     
This week's opponent, Eastern Washington, has dropped to 18th in the Stats Poll and 19th in the Coaches Poll following a 57-16 loss at Montana. That makes the Vikings the highest-ranked Big Sky team in the polls for the first time this season.      
     
Other Big Sky Conference teams in the Top 25 are #17 Montana, #18/#20 Southern Utah and #24/#20 Northern Arizona.
 
DAM CUP COMPETITION CHANGES IN 2015
The Dam Cup is becoming a winner-take-all trophy.
     
The winner of the annual Eastern Washington versus Portland State football game will now be the only deciding factor in awarding The Dam Cup, which enters its sixth year of existence this fall.
     
Previously, the trophy was presented to the school which accumulated the most points among competitions that included football, men's basketball, women's basketball, volleyball and soccer. Portland State has won three of the five titles, but EWU is the defending champion after winning in the 2014-15 school year.
     
Due to the growth of the Big Sky Conference to 12 schools, PSU and EWU do not always play consistently in all sports, and not always with equitable home games. However, as regional rivals, the schools will always play annually in football, so making The Dam Cup a football-only trophy made logical sense.
 
More About the Dam Cup . . .
The Eastern Washington Eagles and Portland State Vikings began a five-sport rivalry cup called The Dam Cup in 2010-11. The Dam Cup celebrates the friendly rivalry between the states of Oregon and Washington within the Big Sky Conference.
     
The so-named rivalry refers to the four dams linking Oregon and Washington that one passes on the 339-mile drive from the Portland State campus to the Eastern Washington campus. Located along the Columbia River, they are Bonneville Dam, The Dalles Dam, The John Day Dam and the McNary Dam.
     
Until 2015-16, the five sports competing for the cup were football, women's soccer, women's volleyball, women's basketball and men's basketball. The purpose of the Dam Cup is to create a rivalry between Portland State University and Eastern Washington University and provide a sense of pride between alumni in the Portland and Spokane areas. Other goals include increasing attendance at events between both schools and building school spirit among each institutions' student body.
     
The winner of the Dam Cup will possess The Dam Trophy acknowledging the achievement for the following year.
     
Until the 2015-16 school year, the Dam Cup was based on a point system. Each game played in the five sports between the two schools had a point value. Points are only rewarded for regular season contests.
     
Eastern is the defending Dam Cup champion, and also won in the 2012-13 school year. Portland State won The Dam Cup in the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons. The Eagles have won four of the football games in the five-year existence of the award.
 
QUICK SNAPS (SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE)
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY
• Portland State is 8-2 on the season, 4-1 at home, 4-1 on the road.
• Portland State's two losses have come by a total of five points.
• Portland State is in its 20th season at the NCAA I FCS level (1996-2015). PSU is 103-119 in all games at the FCS level. PSU is 67-40 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 36-79 on the road.
• The Vikings are in their 20th season as a member of the Big Sky Conference. PSU is 67-87 all-time in Big Sky games. The Vikings are 41-37 at home, 26-50 on the road in BSC games.
• With a guaranteed winning season in 2015, the Vikings have nine winning records in 20 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Bruce Barnum is the Vikings fourth Head Coach in the Big Sky Conference era. Previous coaches were: Tim Walsh (1993-2006, 42-41, 90-68 all-time); Jerry Glanville (2007-09, 7-17, 9-24); and Nigel Burton (2010-15, 13-27, 21-36).
• The Vikings have never won a Big Sky title, but tied for second four times under Walsh. PSU has made one NCAA I playoff appearance (2000) after placing second in the Big Sky.
 
STATISTICAL HIGHLIGHTS
• Portland State ranks second in the nation in turnover ratio (1.50) and ninth in third-down defense (.291 conversion rate)
• The Vikings are 10th in the nation in rushing offense (257.7) and fourth in yards per completion (16.56).
• SR S Patrick Onwuasor leads the nation with nine interceptions. That ranks as second-most in school history.
• JR CB Xavier Coleman leads the Big Sky Conference in passes defended (18, 13 PBUs, 5 INTs) and ranks second in interceptions.
• JR QB Alex Kuresa ranks first in the Big Sky and fourth in the nation in yards per pass completion (16.55).
• SR RB David Jones ranks fifth in the Big Sky Conference in rushing (92.8 ypg).
• SR WR Thomas Carter III is now 10th all-time in receptions at Portland State (123).
 
SETTING NEW STANDARDS
• The Vikings have matched their Division I record for wins (8).
• PSU ended an eight-game losing streak to Montana on Oct. 31.
• The Vikings stopped a three-game losing streak to Cal Poly on Oct. 24.
• PSU ended an eight-game losing streak to Montana State on Oct. 17.
• An Oct. 10 win at North Texas gave PSU two wins over FBS teams in a season for the first time ever.
• The Vikings beat a Pac-12 team for the first time ever in a win over Washington State on Sept. 5.
• The Vikings are 4-0 against nationally-ranked teams after losing the previous 21 in a row.
• PSU tied a school record with four straight road wins.
 
THE COMMITTEE IS BACK IN SESSION: Portland State has seven 200-yard rushing games this season. Here is a look at the Vikings' rushing "committee."
• SR RB David Jones has five 100-yard games this year. He had a career-high 285 yards on 23 carries with three TDs against Montana State (10/17). Jones leads the Vikings in rushing this season with 142 carries for 928 yards and six touchdowns. His 92.8 yards per game ranks fifth in the Big Sky.
• JR QB Alex Kuresa is second on the team in rushing with 131 carries for 651 yards and seven scores. Kuresa went for a career-high 119 yards on 11 carries against Montana. That came after 101 yards against Cal Poly.
• JR RB Nate Tago has 82 carried for 342 yards and six touchdowns.
• SO RB Steven Long has 64 carries for 275 yards and five scores.
• JR UQ Paris Penn has rushed 41 times for 190 yards and four touchdowns.
• Seven different Vikings have combined for 30 rushing touchdowns.
• For the season, PSU averages 257.7 rushing yards per game to rank eighth in the nation.
 
VIKINGS ON THE RUN: PSU has passed 2,000 rushing yards as a team (2,577) for the sixth straight year under Bruce Barnum... the Vikings rushed for exactly 2,500 yards in 2014... PSU has rushed for more than 200 yards per game in each season... The top five rushing seasons in school history have come in the last five seasons (3,330 in 2013; 2,726 in 2011; 2,577 in 2015, 2,500 in 2014; 2,382 in 2013).
 
AERIAL ASSUALT: As good as PSU's running game has been, the passing attack has been dangerous as well. 
• JR QB Alex Kuresa has completed 71-117 passes for 1,285 yards and 12 touchdowns in the past six games. That is an average of 18.1 yards per completion. Kuresa ranks fourth in the nation with a 16.55 yards per completion rate.
• SR QB Kieran McDonagh threw a touchdown pass against Southern Utah, the 42nd of his career, passing June Jones (41) on PSU's all-time list.
• SR WR Thomas Carter III has a team-leading 19 receptions for 329 yards and four touchdowns. Carter has 123 receptions in his career to rank 10th all-time at Portland State.
• JR WR Darnell Adams has 17 catches for 424 yards and five scores. His 24.9 yards per catch leads the team.
• SR RB David Jones and SO WR Josh Kraght each have 12 catches.
• JR UQ Paris Penn has 11 catches for 184 yards and a score.
• 14 different players have caught passes this year and six have touchdowns.
 
PROTECTING THE QUARTERBACK: The Viking offensive line has allowed 16 sacks in 10 games this season. Last year, they protected the quarterback as well as ever. PSU led the Big Sky Conference with the fewest sacks allowed on the season (10) despite throwing 423 passes. PSU has allowed only 51 sacks over 56 games the last five seasons while throwing 1,601 passes.
 
DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Portland State ranks second in the Big Sky Conference in scoring defense (20.8) behind Southern Utah. The Vikings also rank first in the Big Sky and eighth in the nation in third-down conversion defense (29.1%).
• SR SS Patrick Onwuasor leads the Big Sky Conference and the nation with nine interceptions. His three picks against Montana tied a school record for a single game. Onwuasor's nine interceptions is tied for second all-time at PSU. He had a 10th interception against Southern Utah wiped away due to penalty. The PSU school record is 10.
• SR LB Jeremy Lutali leads the team with 80 tackles this season. He is also the current career leader with 196. • SR DE Sadat Sulleyman leads the Vikings with 11.5 tackles for loss this season. His 11 sacks for his career is tied for 10th best all-time at PSU.
• SO DE Davond Dade leads the Vikings with six sacks.
• JR CB Xavier Coleman leads the team and the Big Sky Conference with 13 pass breakups. He is also the team's career leader with 27 PBUs. Coleman ranks fifth all-time in PBUs at Portland State. SR CB Aaron Sibley ranks ninth all-time with 18 PBUs.
 
THE TAKEAWAY: Portland State has forced 24 turnovers in 10 games while committing only nine for a +15 turnover ratio. That is a far cry from last year's -12 ratio (26 turnovers/14 takeaways).
• Portland State's defense has made 16 interceptions after making only six picks all of last season.
• The Vikings have won the turnover battle in eight of 10 games and tied it with Montana State (one each).
 
FANCY FOOTWORK: JR K Jonathan Gonzales is having another good season after being named second team All-Big Sky Conference a year ago. So far, Gonzales has made 12-15 field goals and 44-44 PATs.
• Gonzales hit a 27-yard field goal with 33 seconds to play at Cal Poly (10/24), leading the Vikings to a 38-35 win. He was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
• Gonzales has made 77 consecutive extra points in his career. That shattered the PSU record for consecutive extra points made. The previous mark was 44, set twice previously by Pat Moore (1972-75) and Zach Brown (2009-11).
• Gonzales is 12-15 on field goals this season, ranging from 19 to 51 yards. He had a streak of nine straight made before having one blocked at Cal Poly. Last year, he had a streak of eight straight field goals made.
• Gonzales leads the Big Sky in kick scoring (8.0 ppg).
• Gonzales is fifth all-time in field goals made at Portland State (29) in less than two seasons.
• Gonzales has two 50+ field goals in his career, ranking in the Top 10 in PSU history.
 
THESE TEAMS ARE SPECIAL: Top special teams plays this season:
• JR P Marcus Kinsella averaged 46 yards per boot against Washington State.
• JR K Jonathan Gonzales is 10-13 on field goals, including a 51-yarder.
• SR LS Kameron Canaday recovered a WSU muffed punt return at the Cougars' 11-yard line, setting up a go-ahead touchdown.
• SR CB Aaron Sibley blocked a 22-yard field goal at Washington State after the Cougars had driven 93 yards.
• SO CB Kahlil Dawson returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the win at Idaho State.
• JR K Marcus Kinsella was 7-7 with kickoffs for touchbacks against Idaho State.
• PSU snuffed out a fake punt play at Idaho State, taking over on downs.
• JR P Marcus Kinsella had five of eight punts downed inside the 20 against Western Oregon. He also had a 62-yard boot.
• SO WR Josh Kraght took a fake field goal 25 yards for a touchdown against Western Oregon.
• SO KR Kahlil Dawson averages 25.7 yards per kick return to rank fifth in the Big Sky Conference.
• SR LB Zack Berg blocked a punt against North Texas leading to a touchdown on the Vikings ensuing possession.
• JR K Jonathan Gonzales kicked a 27-yard field goal with 33 seconds remaining to beat Cal Poly, 38-35.
• JR P Marcus Kinsella averaged 48 yards per punt in a driving rainstorm in the win over Montana.
 
2015 SEASON HIGHLIGHT REEL
 
A SEASON OPENER BECOMES A BARNYBALL EYE OPENER: When Portland State knocked off Washington State, 24-7, on Sept. 5 in Pullman, WA it opened the eyes of football fans not just locally, but nationally. It marked the first time that PSU had ever beaten a Pac-12 program (in 15 tries) and just the third win over an FBS opponent (in 35 tries). The win came in Head Coach Bruce Barnum's first-ever game in charge and introduced the world to #BarnyBall. PSU trailed 10-0 at halftime, but shut down the Cougars' "Air Raid" offense in the second half. The Viking offense rode a 228-137 total offense advantage in the second half to a 24-7 comeback while PSU's defense forced two turnovers. The Vikings had 233 rushing yards in all, and took the lead for good on a one-yard TD run by Steven Long with 2:19 to play. Cornerback Aaron Sibley intercepted a WSU pass with 42 seconds to play to seal the win. Sibley also blocked a field goal, broke up a pass and made four tackles. He was named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
 
VIKINGS MAUL THE BENGALS: Portland State beat Idaho State in every facet of the game in a 34-14 victory at Pocatello on Sept. 12. The Vikings held the Bengals to 242 yards of offense while forcing four turnovers. PSU special teams had a kickoff return for touchdown and stopped a fourth-down fake punt play. On offense, the Vikings rushed for 236 yards. It was the first win over a nationally-ranked team since 2008, ending a string of 21 straight loss to ranked teams.
 
DAWSON'S STREAK: SO KR Kahlil Dawson streaked 94 yards on a kick return for touchdown in the Vikings 34-14 win over Idaho State (9/12). It was the first time a Viking had returned a kickoff for touchdown in five years. Dawson returned two kicks for 127 yards and was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
WHITEWASHING THE WOLVES: Portland State recorded its first shutout in 49 games with a 31-0 victory over Western Oregon (9/26). PSU held the Wolves to 224 yards of total offense, forced 12 punts and intercepted three passes. JR CB Xavier Coleman had two interceptions to lead the Vikings, who got off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2000.
 
TEXAS HOLD 'EM: Portland State put on one of its most impressive performances in school history in a 66-7 thrashing of North Texas (10/10). The Vikings went to the home of the Conference USA program and held it under 200 yards and out of the end zone until the final minute. PSU forced 11 punts and seven three-and-outs. The Vikings had 670 offensive yards, with 368 on the ground and 302 through the air. SR RB David Jones scored three touchdowns, rushing for 134 yards. He had a 70-yard TD run and also caught a 60-yard TD pass. JR QB Alex Kuresa completed 11-19 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns, rushed seven times for 21 yards and caught a 25-yard pass. The win marked the first time PSU has beaten two FBS teams in the same year. The 59-point winning margin was the biggest in NCAA history by an FCS school over an FBS school. It was also first time PSU had won three straight road games since 2000.
 
A RECORD RUN: Portland State rushed to a school-record 465 yards on 65 carries, defeating 16th-ranked Montana State, 59-42 (10-17). SR RB David Jones went for a career-high 285 yards on 23 carries, scoring three touchdowns. He was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week as well as receiving a variety of other accolades. The Vikings scored touchdowns on their first eight possessions of the game and had a season-high 682 yards of total offense.
 
UNSTOPPABLE: Portland State had two of its best offensive performances in school history on Oct. 10 vs. North Texas and Oct 17 vs. Montana State. The Vikings totaled 1,352 yards and 125 points in the two games combined. It was the most total yards in consecutive games in school history. It was the most points in back-to-back games since PSU beat Delaware State (105-0) and South Dakota State (48-17) on Nov. 8-15, 1980.
• Against North Texas on Oct. 10 PSU had 670 yards of offense (368 rushing, 302 passing), scoring on seven straight first-half possessions in building a 45-0 lead.
• Against Montana State on Oct. 17, PSU had 682 yards of offense (school-record 465 rushing, 217 passing) and scored touchdowns on its first eight possessions of the game.
 
VIKINGS GET ON THE GOOD FOOT: Portland State pulled out a tough 38-35 victory at Cal Poly (10/24) behind a last-minute field goal by JR K Jonathan Gonzales. Gonzales had made two previous field goals in the game, but had one blocked earlier in the fourth quarter. However, Head Coach Bruce Barnum sent Gonzales out for the 27-yard game winner with 33 seconds to play. Gonzales was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. JR QB Alex Kuresa had 333 yards of total offense and accounted for all four touchdowns. It was PSU's fourth straight road win, tying a school record.
 
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: Portland State ended another losing streak to a Big Sky Conference opponent when it whipped Montana, 35-16, at Providence Park (10/31). The Vikings had lost eight in a row to the Griz, but stopped a losing streak for the third straight week (PSU had also wiped away and eight-game losing streak to Montana State and three-game losing streak to Cal Poly in previous weeks). SR S Patrick Onwuasor set the defensive tone, intercepting three Montana passes in the first quarter to tie a school record. Then SR RB David Jones and JR QB Alex Kuresa combined for 284 rushing yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense. PSU's five touchdowns came from 35 yards or longer. Onwuasor was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
 
TURNING THE TABLES ON TURNOVERS: Portland State beat Southern Utah at its own game in a key Big Sky Conference matchup on Nov. 14, winning 24-23. The Thunderbirds went into the contest leading the nation in turnovers forced (25), turnover ratio (+21) and fewest turnovers (4). But the Vikings made three key interceptions as the Thunderbirds were driving in PSU territory to lead to victory. Portland State did not commit a turnover in the game. Xavier Coleman had two of those interceptions, both coming at the PSU 2-yard line, to go with three tackles and three pass breakups. Coleman was named Big Sky Conference co-Defensive Player of the Week.