complete notes and stats in pdf

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^#10/^#9 PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (7-1, 4-1) vs. NORTHERN COLORADO BEARS (4-4, 2-4)
Game 9 • Saturday, November 7, 2015, 11 a.m. PT • Nottingham Field (8,533), Greeley, CO 

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TELEVISION: None
RADIO: Rip City Radio 620 AM (KPOJ), www.ripcityradio.com • Pregame Show: 10 a.m. PT • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: www.GoViks.com • Live stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/unco/football/
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. BEARS
All-Time Series: Portland State leads 7-3 • PSU leads 4-2 in Portland • PSU leads 3-1 in Greeley
Big Sky Series: Portland State leads 5-2 • The series is tied 2-2 in Portland • PSU leads 3-0 in Greeley
 
1979: UNC 21-20 @ Greeley
1991: PSU 28-21 @ Portland*
2005: PSU 41-17 @ Portland
 
Big Sky Conference games
2006: PSU 45-3 @ Portland
2007: PSU 31-21 @ Greeley
2008: PSU 24-21 @ Portland
2009: PSU 23-18 @ Greeley
2010: UNC 35-30 @ Portland
2011: PSU 23-17 @ Greeley
2012: UNC 32-28 @ Portland
 
FROM GRIZZLIES TO BEARS, VIKINGS TRY TO EXTEND STREAK
Following a big win over a team of Grizzlies, the Portland State Vikings will to try to overcome a group of Bears. Portland State, 7-1 on the season, beat the Montana Grizzlies, 35-16, last Saturday, and now move on to face the Northern Colorado Bears this Saturday. PSU and UNC meet in a noon MT/11 a.m. PT Big Sky Conference game at Nottingham Field in Greeley, CO.
     
The Vikings are 4-1 in Big Sky Conference play and will try to maintain pace with Southern Utah and Eastern Washington (both 5-0) in the league title chase. The Eagles host Northern Arizona this week while the T-Birds travel to Montana State.
     
PSU hosts the Thunderbirds on Nov. 14, then travels to play the Eagles on Nov. 21. That could make for a very interesting conclusion to the Big Sky 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. If PSU does not win the Big Sky, it expects to need at least eight wins on the season to be considered for an at-large berth.
     
But the task at hand this week is Northern Colorado. The Bears come into the game at 4-4 overall, 2-4 in the Big Sky. UNC is 2-2 at home.
     
The Vikings will take a 4-0 road record to Greeley. They will attempt to set two new records on Saturday. If they can pull out a victory, it would be the first time in school history PSU has won five road games in one season and also the first time they have won five road games in a row.
     
Portland State has won four straight games overall and will try to win five straight for the first time since a span of six consecutive wins over the 2001-02 seasons. The Vikings are 7-1 for the first time in the 69-year history of the program. PSU was 6-1-1 once and 6-2 on nine occasions.
     
Saturday's game is not televised but PSU's radio broadcast can be found at Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.ripcityradio.com. A live video stream and live stats are also available at www.GoViks.com. Just click on the Game Day box.
 
STORYLINES AND SERIES HISTORY
• Due to the expanded Big Sky Conference, Portland State and Northern Colorado will meet for the first time in three years.
• Portland State holds the all-time series lead 7-3, including 5-2 in Big Sky Conference games. Portland State has never lost a Big Sky game in Greeley (3-0), although Northern Colorado has won in its last two appearances in Portland (2010 and 2012).
• The last five meetings between the teams have been decided by six points or less.
• Former Viking quarterback Neil Lomax set Portland State records for pass completions (44) and  attempts (77) in a 1979 21-20 loss to the Bears. Lomax passed for 499 yards.
• Northern Colorado was 3-8 last season, but five of the losses were by eight points or less.
 
SCOUTING THE BEARS
With four wins this season, Northern Colorado is bound for its best season in the last three years. Head Coach Earnest Collins Jr.'s best team was a 5-6 squad in 2012.
     
UNC has averaged 30.1 points per game, but also gives up 33.1 points. In fact, the Bears have allowed 106 points over the last two weeks in a pair of losses.
     
A balanced offense produces 379 yards per game in a near 50-50 run-pass ratio. Quarterback Jacob Knipp is 111-189, with six interceptions, nine touchdowns and 1,321 yards this season. His top receiver is Stephen Miller with 21 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Trae Riek leads the running game with 76 carries for 462 yards and five touchdowns in only six games
     
The Bears are giving up 480.6 yards per game. They are allowing opponents to convert third downs at a rate of 47.5%, worst in the Big Sky. That has also contributed to a league-worst average time-of-possession average of only 24:47 per game.
     
Strong safety Taylor Risner has a team-high 78 tackles. Defensive end Mikhail Dubose has 10 tackles for loss and five sacks to lead the team.
     
Northern Colorado has the top kick and punt return teams in the Big Sky Conference. The Bears average 31.9 yards per kick return and 24.2 yards per punt return. They have a total of four returns for touchdowns. Ellis Onic has all of the Bears punt returns, which include two TDs. Hakeem Deggs has two kick returns for touchdowns.
 
VIKINGS CLIMB TO 10TH/9TH IN THIS WEEK'S POLLS
With a fourth straight victory last Saturday, the Portland State Vikings have now risen to 10th in nation this weeks Stats FCS Top 25 and are tied for ninth in the FCS Coaches Poll. PSU beat previously 17th-ranked Montana, 35-16, at Providence Park.
     
This is Portland State's highest national ranking since being ninth on Sept. 23, 2002.    
     
Portland State (7-1, 4-1) plays unranked Northern Colorado (4-4, 2-4) this Saturday in Greeley, CO. The Vikings then host 20th-ranked Southern Utah on Nov. 14 (6-2, 5-0) and travel to fourth-ranked Eastern Washington (6-2, 5-0) on Nov. 21.   
     
The only other Big Sky Conference team in the Top 25 is 22nd-ranked Montana.
 
THE REMARKABLE IS BECOMING THE ROUTINE FOR VIKINGS
The remarkable is becoming the routine for a Portland State football team that routed the University of Montana, 35-16, in a Saturday afternoon downpour. The 12th-ranked Vikings never trailed the 17th-ranked Grizzlies, going up by 25 points in the fourth quarter, and going on to beat them for the first time since 2004.
     
The win improved Portland State to 7-1 on the season, and 7-1 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY. The only other PSU team that can come close to that was the 1987 Division II national champion finalist that started the year 6-1-1 (remember tie football games?). Otherwise, the Viking program's best eight-game record was 6-2, accomplished nine times.
     
There were many stars in the Viking's soggy win, including safety Patrick Onwuasor who tied a PSU record with three interceptions in the game. For the second week in a row, quarterback Alex Kuresa saturated the stat sheet and accounted for four touchdowns (two passing and two rushing). And, despite a torrential rain that hindered the crowd somewhat, Portland State had its best attendance (11,075) since 2008.
     
Saturday's win over Montana marked another milestone in a season of milestones for the Vikings. Here is the growing list:
 
• PSU ended an eight-game losing streak to Montana.
• 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 3-0 against nationally-ranked teams after losing the previous 21 in a row.
• PSU has tied a school record with four straight road wins (and has a chance to break that this week).
 
ONWUASOR NAMED BIG SKY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK
It took only 14 minutes of the game, but senior safety Patrick Onwuasor tied a Portland State record with three pass interceptions against Montana. His performance set the tone for a 35-16 victory and earned Onwuasor Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
     
Onwuasor intercepted Grizzlies quarterback Makena Simis three times in Montana's first four possessions last Saturday. That helped the Vikings build an early lead and eventual easy victory. Onwuasor also had eight tackles in the game as PSU held the Griz 150 yards and 11 points below their season average.   
     
For the season, Onwuasor has seven interceptions which is tied for first in the nation. He also has 51 tackles, ranking second on the Viking team.   
     
The other three Vikings to make three interceptions in a single game are Charles Herring (1975), Neil Fendall (1996) and Stanley Jackson (2007).  
     
Onwuasor is the fifth Viking to earn a Big Sky Player of the Week nod this year. Others include: David Jones (offense); Aaron Sibley (defense); Kahlil Dawson (special teams); and Jonathan Gonzales (special teams).
 
BEST RECORDS
Portland State is 7-1 for the first time in school history. The closest the Vikings have been to that mark was 6-1-1 as an NCAA II member in 1987 (that team finished the regular season 9-1-1). PSU has been 6-2 after eight games on nine occasions. Here are PSU's top regular season records as a Division I program (1977-80, 1996-present):
 
1999   8-3
2000   8-3 (finished 8-4 after playoffs)
1980   8-3
2015   7-1
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).
 
QUICK SNAPS (SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE)
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY
• Portland State is 7-1 on the season, 3-1 at home, 4-0 on the road.
• Portland State is in its 20th season at the NCAA I FCS level (1996-2015). PSU is 102-118 in all games at the FCS level. PSU is 66-40 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 36-78 on the road.
• The Vikings are in their 20th season as a member of the Big Sky Conference. PSU is 66-86 all-time in Big Sky games. The Vikings are 40-37 at home, 26-49 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 (1.63) and second in pass efficiency defense (93.57).
• PSU ranks eight in third-down defense (.290 conversion rate) and in rushing offense (268.5).
• SR S Patrick Onwuasor is tied for the national lead with seven interceptions.
• SR QB Alex Kuresa ranks first in the Big Sky and second in the nation in yards per pass completion (17.7).
• SR RB David Jones ranks third in the nation with 7.50 yards per carry. With just over 100 rushing yards per game he is fifth in the Big Sky Conference.
• Portland State's home attendance of 11,045 against Montana was its best since 2008.
• PSU has scored 198 points in the last four games (49.5 ppg).
 
IMPROVING WHERE THEY NEED TO
      Portland State came into the 2015 season needing to make gains in a number of areas to improve the program. So far, the improvements are showing:
• PSU had lost 21 straight to nationally-ranked teams, but has now won three straight against ranked teams.
• PSU has gone from a -12 turnover margin to a +13 turnover margin.
• The Vikings have improved their defense, allowing 100 yards and 15 points less per game this season over last.
• The Vikings have nearly cut their penalties in half from two seasons ago (9.08 to 4.88 per game).
                             
THE COMMITTEE IS BACK IN SESSION: With a 339-yard rushing performance against Montana, Portland State is now averaging 268.5 yards rushing per game this season with contributions from all over. Here is a look at the Vikings' rushing "committee."
• PSU has passed 2,000 rushing yards as a team (2,148) for the sixth straight year under Bruce Barnum.
• SR RB David Jones rushed for 165 yards and a touchdown against Montana. It was his fourth 100-yard game of the year. He had a career-high 285 yards on 23 carries with three TDs against Montana State (10/17). That came after a career-high 134 yards on only nine carries against North Texas. Jones leads the Vikings in rushing this season with 107 carries for 803 yards and six touchdowns. His 100.4 yards per game ranks fifth in the Big Sky. His 7.50 yards per carry average ranks third in the nation.
• JR QB Alex Kuresa is second on the team in rushing with 112 carries for 558 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. He has 220 yards and four touchdowns rushing in the last two games.
• JR RB Nate Tago has six rushing TDs this year. He has carried 67 times for 274 yards.
• SO RB Steven Long has 51 carries for 194 yards and three scores.
• JR UQ Paris Penn has rushed 33 times for 166 yards and four touchdowns.
• Seven different Vikings have combined for 28 rushing touchdowns.
• For the season, PSU averages 268.5 rushing yards per game to rank eighth in the nation. The Vikings have been over 200 yards in six of eight contests.
 
AERIAL ASSUALT: As good as PSU's running game has been, the passing attack has been dangerous as well. A torrential rain limited PSU to only 4-12 passing against Montana. But those four went for 121 yards, including touchdowns of 41 yards to Thomas Carter III and 46 yards to Darnell Adams.
• JR QB Alex Kuresa has completed 41-70 passes for 839 yards and eight touchdowns in the past four games. That is an average of 20.5 yards per completion. Kuresa ranks second in the nation with a 17.7 yards per completion rate.
• No single Viking receiver stands out statistically, but five different players have touchdown receptions.
• JR WR Darnell Adams has 12 catches for 298 yards and three scores to lead the Vikings in each category. His 24.8 yards per catch also leads the team.
• JR UQ Paris Penn has 11 catches for 178 yards and a score.
• SR WR Thomas Carter III has 10 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Carter has 114 receptions in his career.
• 14 different players have caught passes this year.
 
DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Portland State ranks second in the Big Sky Conference in scoring defense (18.8) and total defense (342.6) behind Southern Utah. The Vikings also rank second in the Big Sky and eighth in the nation in third-down conversion defense (29.0%).
• The Vikings held Montana nearly 150 yards and 11 points below its season average on offense. PSU made a season-high five sacks, with eight tackles for loss and eight pass breakups. JR DE Michael Doman had 2.5 sacks and two pass breakups. SR LB Kawika Stant, making a rare start, had a team-high nine tackles and a sack.
• SR SS Patrick Onwuasor leads the Big Sky Conference and is tied for the national lead with seven interceptions. His three picks against Montana tied a school record for a single game. Onwuasor's seven interceptions are tied for fourth all-time at PSU. The record is 10.
• SR LB Jeremy Lutali leads the team with 63 tackles this season. He is also the current career leader with 179.
• SR DE Sadat Sulleyman leads the Vikings with seven tackles for loss this season.
• SO DE Davond Dade leads the Vikings with four sacks.
• JR CB Xavier Coleman leads the team with eight pass breakups. He is also the team's career leader with 22 PBUs. Coleman ranks fifth all-time in PBUs at Portland State. SR CB Aaron Sibley ranks ninth all-time with 16 PBUs.
 
THE TAKEAWAY: Portland State has forced 20 turnovers in eight games while committing only seven for a +13 turnover ratio. That is a far cry from last year's -12 ratio (26 turnovers/14 takeaways).
• Portland State's defense has made 12 interceptions after making only six picks all of last season.
• The Vikings have won the turnover battle in seven of eight 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 10-13 field goals and 38-38 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 71 consecutive extra points in his career. That sets a new 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 also 10-13 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 (8.5 ppg).
• Gonzales is sixth all-time in field goals made at Portland State (27) 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 25.5 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.