2015 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
Complete Season Preview Release in pdf
2015 Portland State Football Media Guide (pdf)
PROMO VIDEOAugust 3: The Viking Offense
August 4: The Viking Defense
August 5: Viking Special Teams
August 6: The Schedule/Challenges For 2015
August 7: Final Preparation/Complete Practice Schedule

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See Bruce Barnum on KPTV Oregon Sports Final this Sunday at 11 p.m.

THE VIKING DEFENSE
While new Portland State Head Coach Bruce Barnum is on record as saying there will be little change on the offensive side for the Viking team, he anticipates change on defense through the maturing of his squad and some mild tweaks to the scheme in 2015.
 
Portland State returns eight starters - or better stated, combination of starters - from 2014. In all, 19 players return who started at least once last season. Some 15 seniors and seven juniors should be part of the regular rotation on defense. Tops among them include leading tackler Jeremy Lutali, defensive linemen Junior Alexis, Sadat Sulleyman and Savali Talalemotu, cornerback Aaron Sibley and a complete return of the defensive backfield starters and backups.
 
In the off-season, Barnum named Malik Roberson as his defensive coordinator, making him the man tasked with producing the needed improvements on defense.
 
Roberson is in his third season at Portland State. He has coached the Vikings' defensive line in 2011 and 2014. Those seasons were sandwiched around two successful years as defensive coordinator at Central Washington. CWU was 7-4 in both 2012 and 2013, and Roberson's defense allowed just 298 yards and 15.7 points per game while forcing 32 turnovers during the '13 campaign. Those numbers led the NCAA II Greater Northwest Athletic Conference. Roberson has also coached defensive line at Washington State and Eastern Washington during his career.
 
Not coincidently, Roberson was part of the staff in PSU's best defensive effort (2011) during the Nigel Burton era (2010-14). The Vikings allowed only 351.3 yards per game – the fewest since 2006 and second-fewest in PSU's Big Sky history (1996-2014).
 
In 2014, the Vikings were third in rushing defense in the Big Sky Conference (160.8), seventh in total defense (443.2) and 10^th in points allowed (34.0). PSU allowed the second-most passing yards in school history (282.3, with the most in 2013 - 288.7) and third-most total yards allowed in school history. In addition, the Vikings forced just 14 turnovers in 12 games, contributing to a league-worst -12 turnover ratio.
 
Those numbers will have to improve in 2015 for the Vikings to turn the won-loss record back toward .500 and beyond.
 
All that data aside, Barnum expects natural improvement on defense through increased experience and knowledge. He has made no secret of the fact that he loves the talent and depth of his front seven and that he expects to run more zone coverages in the defensive backfield than PSU has in the past.
 
Said Barnum after spring practice: "I like how they adjusted to the new systems and the changes on defense. Our new defensive coordinator is experienced, energetic, smart and on the same page that I am."
 
Here is a breakdown of Portland State's defensive positions:
 
DEFENSIVE LINE
      Head Coach Bruce Barnum had a quick and easy response when asked about his defensive line: "The strength of our football team. It is the strongest position on the team. We have talented starters and great depth there."
      The Vikings bring back nine players with experience on the line, particularly at defensive end.
      SR Sadat Sulleyman (6-2, 250) and SO Savali Talalemotu (6-3, 275) shared a starting assignment at defensive end and proved to be the team's best pass rushers with 4.5 sacks each in 2014. Sulleyman battled injuries during the season playing in only eight games. Talalemotu was backing up at tackle, but at mid-season moved over and became an effective end.
      Those two should start side-by-side on the left side of the line this season, and their versatility will give opposing offensive lines a lot of trouble.
      The defensive tackle spot is led by SRs Junior Alexis (6-2, 290) and Daniel Fusi (6-0, 340). Alexis had a solid year in 2014 with 49 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks, earning honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference. Fusi was a key run-stopper for the Vikings. He will be a candidate to start as well.
      SO Davond Dade (6-3, 235) impressed during spring practice after limited playing time as a freshman. His supreme athleticism may allow him to make the jump to starter in 2015.
      Also contending to start will be JR Michael Doman (6-4, 265). He had five starts during the second half of the 2014 season, played well and should have two excellent years ahead of him.
      Other experienced players at defensive end are SR Cutter Baldock (6-4, 250) and JR Jacob Nall (6-4, 240). RS FR Larry Ross (6-3, 240) and Dallas House (6-2, 260) give the Vikings eight returning players on the outside.
      SO Will Dawson (6-4, 295) has limited experience but played late in 2014. His progress has given the Vikings depth at tackle. He, along with FR TR John Jackson (6-2, 270) will backup at the position. Recruited by the Vikings out of high school, Jackson originally attended Wyoming where he redshirted in 2014.
 
LINEBACKER
      On the surface the Vikings appear to be loaded at linebacker again. But, injuries have depleted depth the past two seasons. Yes, the talent is there and ready to go for 2015, but Bruce Barnum felt the need to add a little more depth with two signees on letter of intent day. Now with 14 eligible players for the three linebacker spots, the Vikings are loaded.
      "We needed depth there and we have a lot of guys, but I am okay with that," Barnum said. "There are no superstars but they play really well as a unit. They communicate and have a lot of energy and that will help us win some games."
      SR Jeremy Lutali (5-11, 230) returns for a third season at middle linebacker. The Vikings top tackler in 2014, Lutali made 87 stops, including a team-leading 10.5 for losses.
      Two other guys who began the season as starters, SRs Brandon Brody-Heim (5-11, 230) and Anthony McNichols (5-11, 235) figured to have big years. But both were done before the mid-point of the season due to injuries. Now healthy, they should be top candidates to start again.
      SO John Norcross (6-1, 215) was a beneficiary of the injuries to other linebackers as his playing time grew as the 2014 season wore on, eventually starting four times. Norcross played well, making 28 tackles. He will also be a strong contender for a starting role.
      The Vikings bring back more experience with returning SRs Dennis Taylor (6-0, 230), Nick Rothstein (5-11, 205), Kawika Stant (5-11, 230) and Zack Berg (6-2, 235).
      With seven senior linebackers, PSU also has some young players waiting in the wings in RS FR AJ Schlatter (6-2, 205), Sam Bodine (6-2, 230), Perry Groves (6-4, 220) and Cameron Schmitz (6-2, 210). All four were members of a strong 2014 signing class.
      Added in the 2015 signing class are JRs Austin Wolff (6-1, 225) from Palomar College and Mosa Likio (5-11, 240) of the College of San Mateo. Those two are expected to get into the mix right away. Wolff showed well at middle linebacker during the spring, while Likio may also play in the middle.
 
DEFENSIVE BACK
      With no seniors in 2014, Portland State returns everyone from its defensive backfield. As a result, Barnum expects a group that was inexperienced at the start of last year to show significant growth by the start of 2015.
      "They will be asked to do different things this year. We will run more zone coverages than we have in the past. We will keep the ball in front of us where people won't have a chance to run by us," said Barnum.
      Leading the defensive backfield are returning cornerbacks Aaron Sibley (5-10, 180) and Xavier Coleman (5-11, 190). Sibley, a senior who earned second team All-Big Sky Conference honors, has been a starter the past three seasons. He had 53 tackles, seven pass breakups and an interception in 2014. Coleman, a junior who became a starter late in his freshman season, led the Big Sky Conference with 12 pass breakups in 2014. He also had 45 tackles, an interception and a sack.
      "We have solid players and solid people back there with Sibley and Coleman," Barnum said. "They have played a lot of football. We might be better than a lot of teams at corner."
      Veteran Chevy Walker (JR, 6-0, 185) should ably back up those two as he has two years experience and made two starts in 2014. Another letterwinner returning is SO Kahlil Dawson (5-9, 170). Also back is RS FR Artuz Manning (5-11, 175).
      Four safeties who shared all the starts in 2014 also return with SRs Demetrius Jackson (5-10, 180) and Patrick Onwuasor (6-2, 225), JR Darien Washington (5-10, 170) and SO Beau Duronslet (5-11, 200). Those four combined for 189 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions.
      Interestingly, SR Walter Santiago (5-11, 195) was the coaches' top prospect at safety throughout fall camp in 2014. But an injury prevented him from playing all season. Now Santiago is healthy and likely to push the other four.
      New to the defensive backfield in 2015 is SO TR Tyler Foreman, who previously attended UCLA. Foreman, who saw brief action with the Bruins in 2014, will also contend for playing time at safety. His play in the spring means there will likely be a six-way competition for two starting spots.
      "It will be a tough decision to see who is on the field first because they are all playing well," Barnum said.
      SO Malik Cyphers (5-10, 175) played in nine games as a freshman and has a future, likely at safety, with the Vikings.
      Other returners are redshirts Brian McCormick (6-0, 190) and Nate Salu (5-11, 215).

VIKING FOOTBALL TICKETS ARE ON SALE: Season and single-game tickets are now on sale for Portland State Football. Season tickets range from $60 to $100 each. Single-game tickets range from $20 to $69. Students and B-Mart section tickets are $10 each. Kids 14 and under are $5. Special group pricing and "Montana-Pack" tickets are also available. Portland State Students tickets are FREE with valid ID. All other students and Bi-Mart section tickets are $10 each. Kids 8th grade and under are $5. Visit www.GoViks.com of call 1-888-VIK-TIKS for all details and pricing. 

2015 FALL CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Aug. 10    4-7 p.m.; media availability beginning at 3 p.m.
Aug. 11    9-11 a.m.
Aug. 12    9-11 a.m.
Aug. 13    9-11 a.m.
Aug. 14    9-11 a.m.
Aug. 15    9-11 a.m.
Aug. 16    Off Day