Complete notes and stats in pdf

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PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (3-6, 2-4) vs. SACRAMENTO STATE HORNETS (1-8, 1-5)
Saturday, November 12, 2016, 6 p.m. • Hornet Field (21,195), Sacramento, CA

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TV: None
RADIO: Rip City Radio 620 AM, www.ripcityradio.com • Pregame Show: 5 p.m. • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: www.GoViks.com/Live • Live stats: www.hornetsports.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. HORNETS
All-Time Series: Portland State leads 22-11 • PSU leads 12-4 at Portland • PSU leads 10-7 at Sacramento
Big Sky Series: Portland State leads 12-6 • PSU leads 7-2 in Portland • PSU leads 5-4 in Sacramento
 
Big Sky Conference games
Nov. 2, 1996: PSU 38-31 @ Portland
Nov. 1, 1997: PSU 27-13 @ Sacramento
Oct. 10, 1998: PSU 58-31 @ Portland
Oct. 9, 1999: SAC 41-14 @ Sacramento
Sept. 16, 2000: PSU 35-23 @ Sacramento
Nov. 24, 2001: PSU 52-33 @ Portland
Oct. 19, 2002: PSU 34-20 @ Sacramento
Oct. 18, 2003: PSU 20-7 @ Portland
Oct. 9, 2004: PSU 31-0 @ Sacramento
Sept. 17, 2005: PSU 28-12 @ Portland
Nov. 11, 2006: PSU 13-7 @ Sacramento
Sept. 15, 2007: PSU 35-24 @ Portland
Sept. 27, 2008: SAC 41-31 @ Sacramento
Oct. 3, 2009: SAC 31-14 @ Portland
Nov. 6, 2010: SAC 28-15 @ Sacramento
Nov. 5, 2011: PSU 29-20 @ Portland
Nov. 16, 2013: SAC 43-42 @ Portland
Nov. 15, 2014: SAC 48-41 @ Sacramento
 
Streak: SAC has won five of the last six
Most Points, PSU: 63, 1978
Most Points, SAC: 51, 1986
 
Largest Margin of Victory
PSU: 56, 63-7 in 1978
SAC: 31, 51-20 in 1986
 
LAST MEETING, Nov. 15, 2014: Sacramento State 48, Portland State 41
    Portland State was outscored 17-0 in the fourth quarter to lose to the Hornets. DeAndre Carter's 65-yard punt return with 3:23 left in the game was the decisive score. It was one of seven scoring plays of longer than 30 yards between the teams in the game.
    PSU had 500 yards of offense, but game up 535 yards. Josh Kraght passed for 265 yards and rushed for 43 for the Vikings.
    Carter had 134 receiving yards and 61-yard touchdown reception.
 
VIKINGS SEEK GROUNDHOG DAY EXPERIENCE THIS WEEK
If Bill Murray turns up in the crowd this Saturday in Sacramento, much like he did for the Chicago Cubs throughout the major league baseball playoffs, the Portland State football team will be very happy. The Vikings seek a "Groundhog Day"-like experience when they face Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference game.
     
The pieces are already in place to match last weekend's road trip that resulted in a 51-29 victory at UC Davis - just 20 miles from Sacramento State: PSU will make the same Thursday afternoon bus ride down I-5, eat the same Thursday night dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet, stay in the same hotel, and follow the same pregame rituals. Hopefully, when they wake up on Saturday morning they will feel just like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day.
     
Portland State goes into Saturday's game with the Hornets revitalized after their convincing win at Davis. PSU's offense went for 602 yards, while the defense was solid in holding the Aggies to 16 points and forcing two turnovers through the first 55 minutes of the game. The Vikings are now 3-6 overall, 2-4 in Big Sky games.
     
Sacramento State is 1-8 with a lone win this season over Montana State (41-38) at home. The Hornets have lost their last four games. However, they have won in their last two meetings with the Vikings, the most recent of which was a 48-41 win on Nov. 15, 2014 in Sacramento.
     
The Hornets will also be the Vikings' fifth Big Sky Conference opponent in seven games to have a bye week prior to playing them.
     
Saturday's game is not televised, but it will be available via live stream at www.GoViks.com/Live. The game airs on Rip City Radio 620 AM in the Portland area and www.ripcityradio.com worldwide. Live stats can be found at www.hornetsports.com.
     
Portland State's season finale is a Friday, November 18 home game against third-ranked Eastern Washington.
 
STORYLINES AND SERIES HISTORY
• Portland State and Sacramento State have met 30 times in the last 33 years.
• PSU holds the all-time series (22-11) and Big Sky series advantage (12-6), but Sacramento State has won five of the last six meetings. Prior to that, the Vikings had won eight in a row in the series (2000-07) and 13 of 14 (1994-2007).
• The Vikings and Hornets have four common opponents so far this season. Sacramento State has lost to Weber State (14-7), Idaho State (42-34), Northern Colorado (27-19) and Cal Poly (59-47). The Vikings beat Idaho State, but lost to the other three opponents.
 
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Sacramento State comes into Saturday's game on a four-game losing streak. But the Hornets have had a week of rest, and despite the loss, come off their highest scoring game (49 points at Cal Poly) of the season. Sacramento State is 1-8 overall, 1-4 in Big Sky Conference play and 1-3 at home.
     
The Hornets rank last in the Big Sky in scoring at 21.7 points per game. They have had four games in which they have scored seven points or fewer. Overall, Sacramento State averages 372.9 yards per game, 11th in the conference.
     
On defense, the Hornets rank last in rushing defense (275.0 per game), total defense (519.3) and 12th in scoring defense (39.7). Sacramento State gives up 6.6 yards per rushing play.
     
Quarterback Nate Ketteringham has completed 52% of his passes for 1,707 yards and 13 touchdowns. However, the Hornets have throw 11 interceptions and rank last in pass efficiency (102.1). They have also allowed a league-high 29 quarterback sacks.
     
Jordan Robinson is the Hornets' top running back with 111 carries for 582 yards and seven touchdowns. Isiah Hennie has 44 catches for 553 yards and five scores to lead the receiving corps. Hennie also has a 90-yard punt return for touchdown this season.
     
Defensive back Manny Scott-Anderson ranks third in the Big Sky Conference with 84 tackles. He also has four pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery. Defensive linemen Ben Sorenson and George Obinna have combined for 10 sacks. Obinna ranks second in the Big Sky with 5.5.
 
QUICK SNAPS: SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY
• Portland State is 3-6 on the season, 2-2 at home, 1-4 on the road.
• Portland State was 9-3 in 2015, 4-2 at home, 5-1 on the road. It was PSU's best record ever at the FCS level (1978-80, 1996-2016). Portland State's three losses came by a total of 17 points.
• Portland State is playing its 24th season at the NCAA I FCS level (1978-80 (1-AA), 1996-2016). PSU is 126-140 in all games at the 1-AA/FCS level.
• In 21 seasons since moving back to FCS and the Big Sky Conference (1996-2016), PSU is 107-126, 69-43 in home games, 38-83 on the road.
• As a member of the Big Sky Conference (1996-2016) PSU is 70-91 all-time in league games, 42-39 at home, 28-52 on the road.
• The Vikings have nine winning records in 21 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Bruce Barnum (2015-16, 8-6 Big Sky, 12-9 overall) 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 have tied for second five times (four under Walsh and in 2015 under Barnum). PSU made its second NCAA FCS playoff appearance (also 2000).
 
ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE NIGHT FOR THE OFFENSE LEADS TO A WIN: For the second week in a row, Portland State was able to produce its most yards (602) and most points (51) of the season. This time it led to a win in a 51-29 decision at UC Davis. The Vikings had gone for 549 and 49 points the previous week, but lost an overtime game to Northern Colorado... the Vikings were hitting on all cylinders against the Aggies, passing for 425 yards - the most in eight years - and running for 177. SR QB Alex Kuresa threw for a career-best 384 yards on 16-20 passes. And, the Vikings were making the big play, with six passes of 34 yards or longer, and one run of 34 yards. The Vikings averaged 25 yards per completion... three Vikings had 100 receiving yards in a game since there were four in a game in 2008. JR WR Josh Kraght caught four passes for a career-high 104 yards, SR TE Maximo Espitia had four receptions for 100 yards, and JR WR Austin Holman caught three balls for a career-high 108 yards... on defense, the Vikings got four three-and-outs, broke up seven passes and forced two turnovers. The defense set the tone with three-and-out stops of UC Davis at the start of each half... PSU led 51-16 midway through the fourth quarter but gave up a pair of late touchdowns.
 
TRENDING UPWARD: The Vikings now have 100 points and 1,151 yards of offense in their last two games. PSU had set a school record for rushing (531 yards) on Oct. 1 in a 45-20 win over Idaho State, and has five 500+ total offense games this year... with 444.8 yards per game of total offense, the Vikings rank 18th in the nation.
 
A THIRD OF THE SUCCESS: In the last three games, Portland State is 26-38 on third down, a remarkable 75% conversion rate. The Vikings have now converted 50% of their third down plays this season to rank sixth in the nation.
 
KURESA'S BIG NIGHT: SR QB Alex Kuresa has accomplished a lot in his two seasons with the Portland State Vikings, including being named Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2015. But his performance at UC Davis added up to the best passing night of his career. Kuresa completed a career-best 80% of his passes (16-20) and had a career-high 384 passing yards with a touchdown. That was 109 more yards than any previous game.
 
TURNOVER TURNAROUND: Studies show the team that wins the turnover battle wins the football game 81% of the time. The Vikings proved that at UC Davis, forcing two turnovers while committing none, on the way to a 51-29 win... so far this season, the team winning the turnover battle in Portland State's games has won six of eight (75%), with one tie in turnovers... the turnover tables have not been pretty for the Vikings overall. PSU has 19 turnovers for 62 opponent points. The Vikings have forced 10 turnovers for 17 points... last season the Vikings forced 28 TOs (and turned them into 67 points) while committing only 15 (for 30 opponent points).
 
ANOTHER COUNTRY IS HEARD FROM: With the addition of Za'Quan Summers to the backfield, the Vikings have once again increased their variety of weapons. PSU has a handful of backs capable of having a big day. Four current Vikings have 100-yard rushing games to their credit (with a total of 12 combined). Here they are, with career highs:
• SR RB Nate Tago, 199 yards vs. Idaho State
• SR RB Paris Penn, 184 yards vs. Idaho State
• SR QB Alex Kuresa, 133 yards vs. Southern Utah
• JR RB Za'Quan Summers, 122 yards vs. Northern Colorado
 
INJURY TOLL: Following a season in which PSU was not hurt too badly by injuries (2015), 2016 has been filled with a rash of injuries, including three players that have had to retire from football. In all, 26 players have lost a total of 108 games to injury so far this season.
 
IRON MEN: The Vikings have four players on offense, four on defense and three on special teams who have started every game this season: JR LT Randin Crecelius, JR LG Tyshon Mosley, JR WR Josh Kraght, SR QB Alex Kuresa on offense; FR DT Anthony Del Toro, SR DT Savali Talalemotu, JR S Tyler Foreman, SR CB Xavier Coleman; SR K Jonathan Gonzales, SR P/KO Marcus Kinsella, FR LS Riley Shackelford.
 
YOUTH SHALL SERVE: Portland State has played six true freshman on defense this season. Those six have played in part due to numerous injuries on the Viking defense. DE Kenton Bartlett, DT Anthony Del Toro, DT Sione Taumoe'anga, CB Montre Brown, LB Devin Thompson and DE Mason Vega have all played... the Vikings are also playing true freshmen TE Charlie Taumoepeau (who scored his first career touchdown against Cal Poly) and LS Riley Shackelford (who has handled every special teams snap).
 
QUADRUPLE THREAT: JR WR Josh Kraght began his Portland State career as a quarterback, earning three starts at the position as a freshman. However, the past two seasons he has played slot receiver and punt returner while remaining a backup QB. This season, Kraght leads the team with 27 receptions for 442 yards. He has seven rushing plays for 38 yards and a touchdown, nine punt returns for 54 yards, and has completed 2-2 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown... for his career, Kraght has been a quadruple threat:
• He has completed 52-101 passes for 640 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
• Kraght has rushed 52 times for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
• Kraght has 43 career receptions for 669 yards and a touchdown
• He has 26 punt returns for 143 yards.
• In total, he has accounted for 1,721 yards and seven touchdowns.
 
THE GREAT GONZO: SR K Jonathan Gonzales has made 7-9 field goals attempts this season. His three field goal game at UC Davis was the fifth of his career. He has made 37-49 kicks in his career and is second all-time at PSU in field goals made and is first in percentage (.755)... Gonzales is 39-39 on extra points this season and 122-123 in his career, for a school record .992 mark... with 233 career points in less than three seasons, Gonzales ranks seventh all-time in scoring at PSU... Gonzales is approaching the PSU record for consecutive PATs in a single season (44), held by Jonathan Gonzales (2015). He also holds the overall mark for consecutive PATs (77) set over 2014-15. Gonzales has made 42 straight PATs dating to late in the 2015 season.
 
NO RETURN POLICY: Portland State SR P Marcus Kinsella is averaging 39.5 yards per punt this season, down a little from 40.9 last season. But much of that is due to directional punting and keeping the football away from opposing return men. As a result, the Vikings have allowed only 21 return yards and three touchbacks making for a solid net average of 37.2.
 
WE SAY, SEISAY: JR WR/CB Chris Seisay has moved over to the defensive side of the ball, mainly due to injuries, but it looks like he will stay there as his play has been excellent. After four games, Seisay has 22 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a team-high six pass breakups and an interception... Seisay played cornerback at Oregon for two seasons, including starting games in the Rose Bowl and the National Championship. When he came to the Vikings he was put at wide receiver, a position he dominated at in high school. In his first two games, Seisay caught three passes for 66 yards.
 
X MARKS THE SPOT: Opposing offenses have stayed away from SR CB Xavier Coleman for the most part this season. And why not? Last year, he had five interceptions and 13 pass breakups. This year he was listed as a preseason All-American by four media services. Against Idaho State (10/1), Coleman made the eighth interception of his career. Coleman has four pass breakups this season and 31 in his career - second all-time at Portland State.
 
OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
• PSU set a school record with 531 rushing yards against Idaho State (10/1). PSU rushed for six touchdowns, with five on plays of over 20 yards. Four of the Vikings' top eight rushing games in history have been against the Bengals and come in the last six years (2016, 531; 2012, 437; 2011, 436; 395 in 2013). The Vikings came within eight yards of the Big Sky Conference rushing record (539).
• The Vikings passed for 425 yards in a win at UC Davis (11/5). It was the most passing yards by the Vikings in eight seasons.
• SR RB Nate Tago rushed for a career-high 199 yards and a touchdown against Idaho State (10/1). He had a career-high three TDs against Central Washington (9/3).
• SR RB Paris Penn rushed for career highs of 184 yards and four touchdowns against Idaho State (10/1). He leads the team with 13 touchdowns this season to rank second in the Big Sky Conference and sixth in the nation.
• SR QB Alex Kuresa set new career highs of 133 rushing yards and 397 yards of total offense at Southern Utah (9/24)... Kuresa threw for a career-high 275 yards against Cal Poly (10/15).
• PSU has rushed for 200+ yards in five of nine games (avg. 227.0). The Vikings had eight 200+ rushing games in 2015 (averaging 250.6 per game on the ground overall). PSU has rushed for 200+ yards per game for six straight seasons heading into 2016.
• SR TE Maximo Espitia (eh-SPEETH-ee-uh) has become a key element of the Viking offense following his transfer from California. Espitia, a graduate transfer, is making the most of his one season of remaining eligibility. He had a career-high seven receptions for 138 yards at Southern Utah (9/24). Espitia has 26 receptions for a team-high 514 yards and three touchdowns this season. He averages over 19.8 yards per catch. At 6-2, 235, Espitia is listed as a tight end, but he often lines up in the slot or split wide. Espitia also has four running plays for 26 yards.
• JR WR Josh Kraght had four receptions for a career-high 100 yards against Northern Colorado (10/29). He followed that with four catches for 104 yards at UC Davis (11/5). Kraght leads the team with 27 receptions for 442 yards this year.
• PSU had three 100-yard receivers in the same game for the first time since having four in a win over Eastern Washington in 2008. Against UC Davis (11/5), JR WR Josh Kraght caught four passes for a career-high 104 yards, SR TE Maximo Espitia had four receptions for 100 yards, and JR WR Austin Holman caught three balls for a career-high 108 yards.
 
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
• Despite the loss, the Viking defense had its best performance against Weber State (10/8) with the fewest yards (271) and points (14) allowed this season.
• SO LB Sam Bodine has become a starter in recent weeks and proven to be productive. Bodine has 41 tackles in the last five games to lead the team and now has 52 total to rank third on the team.
• JR FS Beau Duronslet had a career-high 12 tackles against Cal Poly (10/15) and with 59 stops this season leads the team.
• JR LB John Norcross got his first start of the season against Cal Poly (10/15) and turned in a big game with a career-high 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
• JR FS Beau Duronslet is PSU's current career leader in tackles with 171. SR CB Xavier Coleman has 146 career tackles.
• SR DE Michael Doman leads the Vikings with 7.5 tackles for loss. He also has two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery... his 19.5 career tackles for loss and four career forced fumbles lead the current Viking team.
• SR DT Savali Talalemotu had a sack and a fumble recovery in the win at UC Davis (11/5). He now has 10 career sacks.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS HIGHLIGHTS
• JR DE Davond Dade blocked a first-quarter field goal attempt by Central Washington (9/3).
• PSU successfully converted a fake punt against San Jose State (9/10) with SR RB Nate Tago completing a 43-yard pass to SR TE Maximo Espitia.
• JR WR Trent Riley blocked a punt against San Jose State (9/10) in the fourth quarter. It was recovered and returned 25 yards by SO CB Artuz Manning.
• SR P Marcus Kinsella booted a career-best 67-yard punt at Southern Utah (9/24).
• SR DT Savali Talalemotu blocked a field goal at Weber State that was returned 35 yards by JR FS Beau Duronslet (10/8).
• JR KOR Kahlil Dawson had an 83-yard kickoff return for touchdown against Cal Poly (10/15). Dawson has eight returns this year for a 32.9 average. In his career, Dawson has totaled 1,040 kick return yards, ranking ninth all-time at PSU. Dawson has two touchdowns and a 26.7 kick return average for his career.
• SR K Jonathan Gonzales 7-9 on field goals this season and perfect on extra points (39-39). His three field goal game against UC Davis (11/5) was the fifth of his career.
 
MILESTONES
• SR RB Nate Tago passed 1,000 career rushing yards in the game with Central Washington (9/3). He now has 1,544 career yards and 19 career touchdowns on 320 carries. Tago has played in 40 games with 10 starts.
• SR QB Alex Kuresa went over 3,000 career passing yards in the game with Cal Poly (10/15). He has 3,762 passing yards in 21 games as a Viking. Kuresa has completed 235-426 passes with 27 touchdowns and 17 interceptions... Kuresa passed 1,000 career rushing yards at Southern Utah (9/24). In 21 career games, he has 277 carries for 1,322 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing.
• SR RB Nate Tago has passed 1,000 career kickoff return yards (1,048) and ranks eighth all-time at PSU. JR KOR Kahlil Dawson has 1,040 career kickoff return yards (9th all-time).
• SR RB Paris Penn passed 1,000 career rushing yards against Northern Colorado (10/29). He now has 1,176 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns.
 
VETERANS: Portland State has a less experienced roster than last season. These are the guys who have played and started the most games in their careers:
• Most games played: SR CB Xavier Coleman, 43; SR OL Cam Keizur, 42; SR DT Savali Talalemotu, 42; SR RB Nate Tago, 40; SR P Marcus Kinsella, 37
• Most career starts: SR OL Cam Keizur, 39; SR CB Xavier Coleman, 33; SR K Jonathan Gonzales, 33; SR P Marcus Kinsella, 33; JR S Beau Duronslet, 22; SR DE Michael Doman, 21
• Consecutive starts: SR K Jonathan Gonzales, 33; SR P Marcus Kinsella, 33; SR CB Xavier Coleman, 26; SR QB Alex Kuresa, 21
 
GET ON THE BUS: AMERICANA TOUR, PART TWO: This season PSU anticipates bus trips to San Jose, CA, Seattle, Davis, CA and Sacramento, and a bus ride home from Ogden, UT.
• The round trip to San Jose was a total of 1,340 miles. The ride included a stop off at Oregon Wildlife Safari and the obligatory In-and-Out Burger stop in Medford.
• The trip to Washington was a mere 358-mile round trip to Husky Stadium.
• For the trip to Southern Utah, the Vikings flew to Las Vegas on Thursday, then bussed up to Cedar City on Friday for the game (171 miles). Not much of a bus ride (relatively speaking), but the Vikings had time to include the Criss Angel Show at the Luxor Hotel in LV as well as another midnight In-and-Out run.
• For the Weber State trip the Vikings flew to Salt Lake City, then visited Temple Square and the Hogle Zoo. The Vikings bussed home from Weber State, a journey of 731 miles.
• Portland State bussed to the game at Davis, CA, a round-trip of 1,144 miles.
• The week's trip to Sacramento State will add 1,162 miles round trip.
• That makes 4,906 bus miles for the Vikings this season, eclipsing last year's total of 4,394.
• Coach Barnum led his program on what he called the "Americana Tour" in 2015, which included bus rides to Pullman, WA, Pocatello, ID, San Luis Obispo, CA, and Cheney, WA. In all, the Vikings logged 4,394 bus miles and approximately 80 hours round trip to those four destinations (PSU also flew on two road trips). The Americana Tour included such things as dozens of on-bus movies, a stop to buy a lottery ticket on the way home from beating Washington State, a practice on Boise State's blue turf, a sight-seeing trip to Alcatraz (in which equipment manager Mike Haluska was left on the island… but soon retrieved), and a midnight McDonald's run at a lonely truck stop in eastern Oregon. In addition to the economy of the bus trips, Barnum contends the time together draws the Viking team closer.