complete notes and stats in pdf

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NORTH DAKOTA (3-1, 1-0) vs. ^#16 PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (3-0, 1-0)
Game 4 • Saturday, October 3, 2015, 2:05 p.m. • Hillsboro Stadium (7,000), Hillsboro, OR 

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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 (click on live video link) • Live stats: www.ViksLive.com, www.ViksMobile.com 
 
THE SERIES RECORD: North Dakota leads the series, 3-2
• Portland State leads 2-0 in Portland
• North Dakota leads 3-0 in Grand Forks
 
Big Sky Conference Series: The series is tied 1-1
• Portland State leads 1-0 in Portland
• North Dakota leads 1-0 in Grand Forks
 
Sept. 6, 1980: PSU 28-14 @ Portland
Sept. 5, 1981: UND 17-10 @ Grand Forks
Sept. 8, 2012: UND 45-37 @ Grand Forks (NC)
 
Big Sky Conference games
Oct. 26, 2013: PSU 14-10 @ Portland
Oct. 11, 2014: UND 24-16 @ Grand Forks
 
KEY BIG SKY GAMES STARTING ALREADY FOR VIKINGS
The Portland State Vikings enter the first weekend of October already playing important Big Sky Conference games. Such is the result of being undefeated and nationally-ranked early in the 2015 season. The 16th-ranked Vikings and North Dakota will be the only two Big Sky opponents with 1-0 records squaring off this weekend. They meet in a 2:05 p.m. game Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium - PSU's only appearance in their suburban second home this season.
     
The Big Sky matchup pits the top two defensive teams in the league. Portland State ranks first in total defense (292.3), scoring defense (10.3) and pass defense efficiency (99.0), and second in rushing defense (64.0), while North Dakota ranks second in total defense (315.8), first in rushing defense (62.2) and third in scoring defense (22.2).
     
This week's game is not televised, but can be seen via live video stream at GoViks.com. The radio broadcast airs on Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.ripcityradio.com.
     
Following a 31-0 win over Western Oregon last Saturday, the Vikings are 3-0 for the first time since the 2000 season. Meanwhile, North Dakota is also experiencing a renaissance after some down seasons. UND is 3-1 overall, 1-0 in the Big Sky. North Dakota is not ranked but was 28th among teams receiving votes. Seven Big Sky teams are 1-0 entering this Saturday's play.
     
Portland State will try to avenge a 24-16 loss to North Dakota last year in Grand Forks. North Dakota's defense held at the goal line on the final play of that game, pulling off a come-from-behind 24-16 victory. On fourth-and-goal, PSU's Nate Tago was stopped at the two-yard line.
     
North Dakota leads the all-time series 3-2. The home team has won all five games.
     
PSU's game with North Dakota opens a brutal October schedule for this Vikings. On Oct. 10, they travel to face Conference USA member North Texas, an FBS school. That is followed by a home game against nationally-ranked Montana State, a road trip to nationally-ranked Cal Poly, then a Halloween showdown against nationally-ranked Montana.
 
STORYLINES AND SERIES HISTORY
• The home team has won every game in the series.
• North Dakota led the Big Sky in total defense in 2014, allowing only 354.4 yards per game.
• The Vikings and UND will be meeting for the fourth straight season.
• North Dakota is currently in the process of developing a new program mascot.
• North Dakota has been a member of the NCAA I FCS level since 2007. Previously, UND was a member of the Great West Football Conference. In seven years at Division I North Dakota has compiled a 36-41 record.
 
LAST YEAR, Oct. 21, 2014: North Dakota 24, Portland State 16
The North Dakota defense held at the goal line on the final play of the game, pulling off a come-from-behind 24-16 victory. On fourth-and-goal with six seconds left, Nate Tago was stopped at the two-yard line.
PSU led 13-3 at halftime, but UND dominated the third quarter to lead 17-16. A 95-yard fourth-quarter punt return for touchdown by Alex Tillman gave North Dakota the advantage it needed.
     
Otherwise the Vikings had a great defensive effort, holding UND to 262 yards. PSU totaled 360 yards but converted only 3-16 third-down plays.

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GAME WEEK ACTIVITIES
VIKINGS ON THE RADIO: All Portland State football games can be heard on Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.ripcityradio.com. The Viking Pre-Game Show begins one hour prior to kickoff each week... Tom Hewitt (play-by-play) and Mike Lund (analyst) call the action.
 
BRUCE BARNUM ON THE RADIO: Viking football Coach Bruce Barnum can be heard every Monday at 3:15 p.m. on the Wheels At Work Show on Rip City Radio 620 AM. Barnum will review and preview Viking football games.
 
VIKINGS ON THE INTERNET: Live streaming video of all Portland State home and Big Sky Conference games can be seen free at a link on www.GoViks.com... Live stats for Portland State home games are at www.GoViks.com with a mobile phone feature for in stadium viewing: www.ViksMobile.com.
 
VIKING PLAYER DIARY: Look for JR CB Xavier Coleman's player diary each week on OregonLive.com and in the Oregonian. Coleman will give weekly updates on the Viking team's progress throughout the 2015 season.
 
VIKING FOOTBALL LUNCHEONS: Every Friday of a home football week (Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 16, Oct. 30 and Nov. 13), Portland State Athletics will host a football luncheon at the Old Spaghetti Factory, located at 0715 SW Bancroft. Coach Barnum and Viking players will speak and be available for questions. The luncheon is open to the public and costs $12.
 
TICKETS: Single-game tickets range from $20 to $69. Students and Bi-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.

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 SCOUTING NORTH DAKOTA
North Dakota's 2015 revival is similar to that of Portland State. UND had been down in recent seasons, improving to just 5-7 in 2014. But this year, North Dakota opened with a win at Wyoming and has improved to 3-1 overall, 1-0 in the Big Sky Conference. Head Coach Bubba Schweigert, now in his second season, is 8-8 overall.
        
UND's success has looked a lot like the Vikings' success. Good defense and a strong running game. North Dakota is actually last in the Big Sky in total offense at 268.2 yards per game, but leads in rushing defense (62.2) and ranks second behind the Vikings in total defense (315.8).
        
North Dakota has 14 sacks on the season, and is led by linebacker Will Ratelle's 35 tackles. Defensive back Deion Harris has a Big Sky-leading seven pass breakups and one interception.
        
Quarterback Keaton Studsrud is 46 of 89 passing for 528 yards, five touchdowns and only one interception through four games. John Santiago leads the rushing game with 61 carries for 331 yards and four touchdowns.
        
Punter Mitch Meindel leads the Big Sky Conference with a 48.1 punting average.
 
THE BEST DEFENSE HAS LED TO AN UNDEFEATED RECORD
Through three weeks of play in 2015, the results are dramatically improved for the Portland State Vikings and it all starts with defense.   
        
Head Coach Bruce Barnum promised "blue-collar, tough, hard-nosed, fundamental football" (i.e. BarnyBall) before the season. And that is exactly what the Vikings are producing
        
Portland State is the Big Sky Conference's top defense so far while leading the league in a number of categories:
 
• scoring defense (10.3 points allowed)
• total defense (292.3 yards allowed)
• pass efficiency defense (99.0)
• interceptions (7)
• turnover margin (+7)
• third-down defense (24.1% conversion rate)
• fewest opponent first downs (15.3)
• Xavier Coleman leads in interceptions (3)
• the Vikings also rank second in rushing defense (62.0) and have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season.
 
Portland State ranks second in the nation in turnover margin, third in scoring defense, fourth in rushing defense and fifth in interceptions. But most important, the Vikings are still tied for first in winning percentage at 1.000 (3-0), following victories over Washington State, Idaho State and Western Oregon.   
        
The Vikings 31-0 shutout victory over Western Oregon on Saturday accomplished a number of things:
 
• PSU is 3-0 for the first time since starting 6-0 in 2000.
• PSU has a three-game winning streak for the first time since Oct. 26-Nov. 9, 2013.
• The Vikings are 16-4 in home openers in the Big Sky era.
• The Vikings had their first shutout in 49 games.
• PSU is now 14-0 against lower division teams since moving to the Big Sky Conference in 1996.
 
QUICK SNAPS (SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE)
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY
• Portland State is 3-0 on the season, 1-0 at home, 2-0 on the road.
• Portland State is in its 20th season at the NCAA I FCS level (1996-2015). PSU is 98-117 in all games at the FCS level. PSU is 64-39 in home games since moving to the NCAA I level, 34-78 on the road.
• The Vikings are in their 20th season as a member of the Big Sky Conference. PSU is 63-85 all-time in Big Sky games. The Vikings are 38-36 at home, 25-49 on the road in BSC games.
• The Vikings have eight winning records in 19 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.
 
THE 2015 VIKINGS: A BREAKDOWN
• Portland State has 58 returning letterwinners.
• The Vikings have 16 returning starters, six on offense, eight on defense and two special teams.
• A total of 35 players return that have started games.
• There are 18 redshirts returning.
• 40 players hail from the state of Oregon, 31 are from the Portland metropolitan/SW Washington area, and 60 are from the Pacific Northwest.
• SR WR Thomas Carter III has the most experience, playing in 37 career games. SR CB Aaron Sibley (35) ranks second... players with the most career starts are SR LS Kameron Canaday (32) followed by SR CB Aaron Sibley (30), SR QB Kieran McDonagh (29) and JR OL Kyle Smith (27).
 
A FEW WINNING NOTES:
• The Vikings are 3-0 for the first time since 2000 (started 6-0).
• PSU has already matched its win total of 2014 (3-9).
• Portland State's win over 23rd-ranked Idaho State (9/12) was the first win over a nationally-ranked team since 2008, ending a stretch of 21 straight losses to ranked teams.
• PSU has won three straight games for the first time since the 2013 season.
• PSU has back-to-back road wins for the first time since the 2011 season.
• The Vikings are 14-0 against lower division teams since joining the Big Sky Conference.
 
MORE RUN-GAME HEROICS: Portland State is averaging 241.7 yards rushing per game by using a committee of ball carriers. after two games with a group of five players making contributions... JR QB Alex Kuresa leads the team with 211 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries. He had a game-high 92 yards rushing on 16 carries at Washington State... SR RB David Jones has 32 carries for 187 yards, including a game-high 113 yards at Idaho State... JR RB Nate Tago had a game-high 69 rushing yards against Western Oregon. He now has 25 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns this season... JR UQ Paris Penn has rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns... SO RB Steven Long has 24 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns.
 
DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Portland State's defense currently leads the Big Sky Conference in scoring defense (10.3 points allowed), total defense (292.3 yards allowed), pass efficiency defense (99.0), interceptions (7), turnover margin (+7), third-down defense (24.1% conversion rate), and fewest opponent first downs (15.3)...
JR CB Xavier Coleman leads in interceptions (3)... the Vikings also rank second in rushing defense (62.0)   
 
THE TAKEAWAY: Portland State has forced nine turnovers in two games while committing only two for a +7 turnover ratio. That is a far cry from last year's -12 ratio (26 turnovers/14 takeaways).
 
PICK PARTY: JR CB Xavier Coleman had two interceptions against Western Oregon and has a Big Sky best three this season... SR FS Patrick Onwuasor had his second interception of the season against Western Oregon... Coleman has five interceptions in his career and Onwuasor has three.

A KRAGHTY PERFORMER: SO WR Josh Kraght had an act for every occasion against Western Oregon. He ran a fake field goal in for a 25-yard touchdown, returned a punt 37 yards, and caught a 28-yard pass. Kraght also played quarterback in the Vikings' final series.

THESE TEAMS ARE SPECIAL: SO WR Josh Kraght took a fake field goal attempt 25 yards for a touchdown in the Vikings win over Western Oregon. It was just the latest in a line of great special teams play by the Vikings.
Other top special teams plays:
• JR P Marcus Kinsella averaged 46 yards per boot against Washington State
• JR K Jonathan Gonzales is 4-4 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 leads the Big Sky in punt return average (8.2).
 
QUARTERBACKS APLENTY: Portland State had all four quarterbacks on the field for several plays during the Western Oregon game. JR Alex Kuresa spent the majority of the time behind center, while SO Josh Kraght, the converted wide receiver, JR Paris Penn and SR Kieran McDonagh were frequently split wide. Penn and Kraght also took snaps during the game. SR RB David Jones and SR WR Thomas Carter are also converted quarterbacks.
 
JONES BECOMES THE FIFTH: SR RB David Jones became the fifth Viking on the roster to have at least one 100-yard rushing game in his career. Jones carried 18 times for 113 yards against Idaho State. He led a 236-yard rushing effort by the Vikings. PSU had 233 rushing yards at Washington State. Below is a list of the top rushing games for each Viking with at least 100 yards in a game.
David Jones 113 at Idaho State, 2015
Steven Long 253 vs. Northern Arizona, 2014
Kieran McDonagh   108 vs. North Dakota, 2013
Paris Penn_ 112 at Oregon State, 2014
Nate Tago__ 106 vs. UC Davis, 2014
 
ANOTHER COUNTRY IS HEARD FROM: JR K/P Marcus Kinsella, a native of Australia, has proven to be a valuable performer on special teams. He kicked off seven times at Idaho State and all seven were unreturnable.  He also did not allow a punt return on seven boots. Two of those punts were downed inside the ISU 20. The previous week, three of his five punts were downed inside the Washington State 20... Kinsella had five of eight punts downed inside the 20 against Western Oregon.
 
GONZALES' KICKING LIST: JR K Jonathan Gonzales has picked up where he left off last season when he led the Big Sky in field goals made (17-24). Gonzales is 4-4 on field goals and 21-28 in his Portland State career. He ranks ninth in field goals made in PSU history... Gonzales 51-yard field goal at Idaho State ties for ninth-longest in school history and is his second of 50+ yards.
 
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.
 
2015 SEASON NOTES
BIGGEST WIN IN SCHOOL HISTORY?: Immediately following the Vikings landmark football victory over Washington State on Saturday afternoon in the Palouse, the question was pondered, "is it the biggest win in school history?" The answer? A resounding, "Maybe!"
         Portland State beat the Cougars, 24-17, in the Palouse in come-from-behind fashion, outscoring WSU 24-7 in the second half. It was an epic victory and just the third in PSU history over a Football Bowl Subdivision program. All three of those wins can make a claim as best ever. One could even make a case for a regular-season ending win over Cal State Northridge in 2000 (49-22) that vaulted the PSU program to its first-ever NCAA I FCS playoff appearance.
         Not to take anything away from Portland State's NCAA II national-ranked and contending programs from 1986-95, this evaluation comes from PSU's 20 years as an NCAA I FCS program.
         On Sept. 9, 2000, Portland State traveled to Honolulu to take on a strong University of Hawai'i program led by, coincidentally, former Viking great June Jones. The Vikings, under the guidance of Tim Walsh, came away with a 45-20 victory - the first ever by PSU over an FBS school. That win came in the middle of the night east coast time and after midnight on the west coast. Though it got a lot of recognition, it probably never received its due. The Warriors were coming off a 9-4 season and an Oahu Bowl win over Oregon State. Alas they had a down season that year (3-9) in the middle of five great bowl-appearance seasons.
         By the end of the year, PSU was 8-3 (following that win over Cal State Northridge) and on its way to the NCAA playoffs.
         Six years later, the Vikings opened its 2006 campaign at the University of New Mexico and came away 17-6 winners over the Lobos. Walsh's Vikings stymied the New Mexico offense, holding it without a touchdown. PSU went on to have the top defense in the Big Sky that season as well as the league's Defensive Player of the Year in Adam Hayward. PSU went 7-4, and tied for second in the Big Sky at 6-2. The Lobos went on to a 6-6 record and a bowl game.
         That brings us to yesterday's upset at a soggy and cold Martin Stadium in Pullman. It marked the first win ever by a PSU team over a Pac-12 program or any "prestige" conference, in 15 tries. Portland State's comeback from a 10-0 halftime deficit was exciting and inspiring to the Viking faithful.
         One thing is certain, in an age of instant social media and nationally-televised games (PSU's win over Hawaii was televised only in the Portland area, New Mexico was not televised), the Viking win will be the most viewed, remembered and discussed. It gives Portland State a landmark win that can easily be referenced and will not soon be forgotten. In that regard, it is the biggest win in school history.
 
THE SCHEDULE
         Portland State Football is looking for transformation and improvement in 2015. Based on this season's schedule it will be no easy task. A formidable slate of opponents includes two FBS teams for the second year in a row (Washington State and North Texas) and three FCS playoff teams (Eastern Washington, Montana and Montana State).
         Further demonstrating the difficulty of the schedule, in a 12-team Big Sky Conference in which PSU will only face eight teams each season, the Vikings meet last year's top five finishers (EWU, UM, MSU, Idaho State, Cal Poly) and eight teams with a combined conference mark of 38-26 (.593) last year. PSU will miss last year's bottom two teams (UC Davis, Weber State) and four teams with a combined conference mark of 12-20 (.375).
         Four of the teams on the Vikings schedule were nationally ranked in the first Stats Inc. Top 25 Poll: Eastern Washington (6th), Montana State (11th), Montana (13th), Idaho State (22nd).
         The fall of 2015 begins the 20th season of competition for Portland State in the Big Sky Conference and at the Division I level. The Vikings have yet to win a Big Sky title in football, though they managed four second-place finishes under previous Head Coach Tim Walsh. However, the past eight seasons, have seen only one winning record and one .500 mark. The best result during that span was a 7-4/5-3 campaign and third-place finish under Nigel Burton in 2011.
         So, the more immediate goal for the Vikings and new coach Bruce Barnum will be to get back to a winning record. A fast start will be vital as the month of October brings a sturdy group of opponents and the season always concludes with rival and perennial powerhouse Eastern Washington.
 
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2015 SCHEDULE
• A four-week stretch in October will be especially challenging. PSU plays at Conference USA opponent North Texas on Oct. 10, hosts nationally-ranked Montana State (8-5/6-2) on Oct. 17, travels to Cal Poly (7-5/5-3) on Oct. 24, then hosts nationally-ranked Montana on Oct. 31 (9-5/6-2). "A great stretch," said Barnum, referring to the three-week stretch featuring Montana State, Cal Poly and Montana. "Obviously, we would like to be going into that up and rolling, hitting on all cylinders against three quality opponents, three of the top opponents in this conference. That will be a true test at midseason of where we are as a football program, how we have changed from last year, and where we are going."
• Portland State wraps up its 2015 regular season schedule at defending Big Sky Conference Champion Eastern Washington (11-3, 7-1) on Nov. 21. Eastern Washington will be without QB Vernon Adams, the Big Sky Conference Player of the Year, who transferred to Oregon. "Losing their quarterback, I am sure they took a step back for a minute," said Barnum, " But they have a great coaching staff that will put it all back on track, and by that time of the season they will have it rolling."
 
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Portland State begins its 20th season as a member of the Big Sky Conference (1996-2015). PSU has never won a Big Sky title. Four times the Vikings have tied for second (1999, 2000, 2001, 2006).
• The Vikings will have powerhouses Montana and Montana State both at home in the same season for the first time since 1999. Montana makes its first appearance in Portland since 2010 while Montana State comes to town for the first time since 2011.
• PSU plays a Conference USA opponent for the first time in its history (North Texas).
• Portland State plays at Northern Colorado on Nov. 7. The Vikings are 3-0 in Big Sky games in Greeley, CO. Oddly, the Vikings have lost their last two home games to the Bears.
• This is the sixth time that Portland State has played at least two FBS level programs in the same season (the Vikings played three in 2006).
• Due to the 13-team Big Sky Conference, Portland State plays three teams it did not see in 2014: Montana, Northern Colorado and Southern Utah. The Vikings see four other opponents cycle off its schedule in 2015: Northern Arizona, UC Davis, Sacramento State and Weber State.
• The 2015 NCAA I FCS playoffs, which includes 24 teams, begin on Nov. 28.
 
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.
         This year's Eagle-Viking matchup will take place on Nov. 21, 2015, at Roos Field in Cheney, WA. Eastern, ranked 11th in this week's NCAA Football Championship Subdivision rankings, is currently 1-2 and coming off a 55-50 non-conference victory over fellow Big Sky Conference preseason favorite Montana State.
         Portland State is 2-0 and ranked 17th in this week's STATS FCS Top 25 poll. The Vikings opened the season with a 24-17 win at Washington State of the Pac-12 Conference, then beat Idaho State 34-14 in their league opener.
 
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.