complete notes and stats in pdf

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Game 4
^#25 PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (1-2) vs. SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS (1-1)
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 5 p.m. PT • Eccles Coliseum (8,500), Cedar City, UT

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TV: None
RADIO: Rip City Radio 620 AM, www.ripcityradio.com • Pregame Show: 4 p.m. PT • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: www.GoViks.com/Live • Live stats: www.suutbirds.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS VS. THUNDERBIRDS
All-Time Series: Portland State leads 9-3 • PSU leads 6-1 in Portland • PSU leads 3-2 in Cedar City
Big Sky Series: Southern Utah leads 2-1 • The series is tied 1-1 in Portland • SUU leads 1-0 in Cedar City
 
Big Sky Conference games
Sept. 22, 2012: SUU 49-42 @ Portland
Oct. 12, 2013: SUU 17-7 @ Cedar City
Nov. 14, 2015: PSU 24-23 @ Portland
 
LAST MEETING, Nov. 14, 2015: ^#15 Portland State 24, ^#18 Southern Utah 23
Despite being outgained 562-389, Portland State found a way to get the job done. The Vikings intercepted three passes, made the decisive score on a trick play and stopped a late two-point conversion attempt by the Thunderbirds. PSU's win ended Southern Utah's seven-game winning streak.
     
Kieran McDonagh, lined up as a fullback, threw a seven-yard touchdown on a jump pass to tight end Cameron Thompson early in the fourth quarter putting the Vikings ahead 24-17. When the Thunderbirds scored with 1:18 to play to pull within 24-23, they went for two. But a pass attempt fell incomplete in the end zone.
           
Ammon Olsen threw for 384 yards and two scores for SUU, but had three interceptions. Xavier Coleman picked off two passes for the Vikings.
 
VIKINGS OPEN BIG SKY PLAY WITH DEFENDING CHAMPS
Portland State will open its Big Sky Conference season in style this Saturday as the Vikings travel to meet the defending Big Sky Champion Southern Utah Thunderbirds. The Vikings (1-2) will take on a team (SUU, 1-1) that has had a week off to prepare for the season opener. PSU will try to turn things around after a pair of difficult road losses to FBS schools the past two weeks. PSU gave up 107 points and committed 10 turnovers in back-to-back defeats to San Jose State and Washington.
     
The Vikings have dropped to 25th in the STATS FCS National Rankings this week following their loss to 8th-ranked (FBS) Washington. Southern Utah is unranked, but among others receiving votes, is listed 33rd.
     
The Thunderbirds and the Vikings were the two surprise teams in the Big Sky in 2015, with SUU finishing in first at 7-1, and the Vikings placing second at 6-2. Southern Utah would have had a perfect Big Sky schedule in 2015 if now for a narrow 24-23 loss at Portland State. The Vikings had that key win against a nationally-ranked T-Bird team, but lost a pair of other Big Sky games by a combined five points.
     
The two teams ranked first and second in the Big Sky in total defense and points allowed in 2015. Now, both sides would like to back up those breakout seasons.
     
Portland State makes only its second trip to Cedar City since Southern Utah joined the league in 2012. The previous trip was a nightmarish 17-7 loss in 2013 that included numerous turnovers and mistakes by the Vikings. Southern Utah leads the Big Sky Conference series, 2-1, while the Vikings lead the all-time series, 9-3.
     
Saturday's game kicks off at 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT. The game is not televised, but a live video stream will be available at www.GoViks.com/Live. The radio broadcast is on Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.ripcityradio.com. The pregame show begins at 4 p.m. PT.
     
Following this week's game, the Vikings will play three of four at home in the month of October.
 
STORYLINES AND SERIES HISTORY
• Portland State was picked to place second in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll, while Southern Utah was picked seventh among 13 teams. The Preseason Media Poll had the Vikings fifth and Southern Utah seventh.
• Remarkably, Portland State plays five Big Sky opponents who have bye weeks prior to their game with the Vikings. Southern Utah is the first such opponent.
• Southern Utah won the Big Sky Conference championship last season for the first time. The Thunderbirds only loss was to Portland State, 24-23, in Portland.
• SUU participated in the NCAA playoffs, losing a first-round game at Sam Houston State, 42-39. The T-Birds finished the year ranked 18th in the nation.
• Southern Utah allowed the fewest points of any Big Sky team in 2015 (20.8). Portland State was second at 22.3.
• Former defensive coordinator Demario Warren was named Head Coach following the departure of former coach Ed Lamb.
• Portland State and Southern Utah were members of the old Division II Western Football Conference from 1986 to 1992. PSU won six of seven games during that era.
• Southern Utah joined the Big Sky Conference in 2012.
 
SCOUTING THE THUNDERBIRDS
Southern Utah is led by first-year Head Coach Demario Warren. The Thunderbirds lost a season-opener at Utah 24-0, then defeated Southeastern Louisiana, 28-23, in a home game.
     
Patrick Tyler took over at quarterback against SLU, completing 18-28 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Malik Brown had a big day toting the pigskin with 32 carries for 146 yards. Southern Utah came back from a 17-7 deficit in the second quarter to win the game, outgaining the Lions, 437-411. In a loss to Utah, the Thunderbirds managed only 158 yards of total offense.
     
Brady Measom is the team's top receiver this season with six catches for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Sharp has five catches for 78 yards and a score.
     
Taylor Nelson leads the defense with 19 tackles in two games.
 
QUICK SNAPS: SUSTAINABLE AND RECYCLABLE
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY
• Portland State 1-2 on the season, 1-0 at home, 0-2 on the road.
• PSU is going after back-to-back winning seasons in 2016 for the first time since 2005 and 2006 (6-5, 7-4).
• 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 124-136 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 105-122, 68-41 in home games, 37-81 on the road.
• As a member of the Big Sky Conference (1996-2016) PSU is 68-87 all-time in league games, 41-37 at home, 27-50 on the road.
• The Vikings have nine winning records in its previous 20 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Bruce Barnum (2015-16, 6-2 Big Sky, 10-5 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).
 
HUSKIES PROVE TO BE THE REAL DEAL: The Washington Huskies lived up to the billing. Eighth-ranked FBS Washington has been heralded as having perhaps its best team in the 16 seasons since it last won a Pac-12 title. They proved it last Saturday at Husky Stadium, winning 41-3, over Portland State...the Vikings helped the Huskies cause as, for the second week in a row, they were hamstrung by turnovers. Two led directly to Washington touchdowns, while the other two came deep in Husky territory. Otherwise, Portland State was competitive... Washington outgained the Vikings 407-182 as PSU's ground game was shut down. The Vikings managed only 34 yards rushing.
 
TURNOVERS BEFUDDLE VIKINGS: Through three games this season, the Vikings have been overwhelmed by turnovers. They have a total of 11 while forcing only one. That's a dramatic turnaround from last season when the Vikings forced 28 TOs while committing only 15. At San Jose State the Vikings turned it over twice in goal-to-go situations. At Washington they had two turnovers in the red zone... in the past two games, the Vikings have 10 turnovers leading to 31 opponent points.
 
YOUTH SHALL SERVE: Portland State Coach Bruce Barnum has had to go to a number of young players on defense this season. Five true freshmen played at Washington last week, including starting DT Anthony Del Toro, DE Kenton Bartlett, DT Sione Taumoe'anga, CB Montre Brown and LB Devin Thompson. The Vikings are also playing true freshman TE Charlie Taumoepeau and LS Riley Shackelford.
 
AMONG THE MISSING: Portland State has also been held back by the loss of two key players early. SR S Walter Santiago went down with a knee injury at San Jose State and is out for the season. SR WR Darnell Adams has a foot injury and is expected to be out for several weeks. At Washington, two other key players, SR C Cam Keizur and SR RB Paris Penn, also went down with injuries. They are doubtful for this week.
 
THE GUY WITH THE COOL NAME: 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 leads the team with 10 receptions for 206 yards and a touchdown this season. At 6-2, 235, Espitia is listed as a tight end, but he often lines up in the slot or split wide.
 
NO RETURN POLICY: Portland State is averaging only 34.3 yards per punt this 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 yet to allow a single punt return yard.
 
GO FOR IT? SURE: Portland State's offense is 4-4 on fourth down this season when the Vikings go for it. They have converted at least one in each of the three games.
 
OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
• SR RB Paris Penn rushed for a career-high 137 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries at San Jose State (9/10). He also caught a 22-yard touchdown pass. Penn's previous career-high was 112 yards (2 TDs) at Oregon State in 2014.
• SR RB Nate Tago rushed for 136 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries against Central Washington (9/3). All were career highs.
• SR QB Alex Kuresa rushed for 123 yards and had 345 yards of total offense against Central Washington (9/3). Both of those were career highs.
• PSU has rushed for 200+ yards in two of three games. 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.
 
DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
• SR LB Anthony McNichols had a career-high 13 tackles at Washington. For the season, he has made 31 tackles to lead the team. McNichols ranks second in the Big Sky Conference in tackles and sacks (2).
• SR LB Austin Wolff had a career-high eight tackles and a sack in his first career start against Central Washington.
 
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 matched his career-best effort with a 62-yard punt at Washington (9/17).
• SR K Jonathan Gonzales made his first field goal in his first attempt of the season at Washington (9/17). He has made 31-41 in his career to rank third all-time at PSU and first in percentage (.756).
 
MILESTONES
• SR RB Nate Tago passed 1,000 career rushing yards in the game with Central Washington (9/3). He now has 1,170 career yards and 15 career touchdowns on 250 carries. Tago has played in 35 games with seven starts.
• SR QB Alex Kuresa went over 2,000 career passing yards in the game with Central Washington (9/3). He has 2,480 passing yards in 15 games as a Viking. Kuresa has completed 160-291 passes with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
• SR RB Nate Tago has passed 1,000 career kickoff return yards (1,048) and ranks eighth all-time at PSU.
 
AREAS TO IMPROVE
• Portland State has forced only one turnover in three games. Last season the Vikings were one of the best teams in the nation in forcing mistakes (28) and had a +13 turnover margin. The Vikings have committed 11 turnovers.
• The defense has allowed 498.0 yards and 44.3 points per game.
 
GET ON THE BUS: AMERICANA TOUR, PART TWO: This season PSU anticipates bus trips to San Jose, CA, Seattle, Davis, CA and Sacramento. There will also be a bus ride home from Ogden, UT. Last week's round trip to San Jose was a total of 1,340 miles. The ride including 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. That makes 1,698 bus miles so far for the Vikings... this week, the Vikings fly to Las Vegas, then bus up to Cedar City for the game with Southern Utah (171 miles)... 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.
 
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 OL Cam Keizur, 37; SR CB Xavier Coleman, 37; SR DT Savali Talalemotu, 36; SR RB Nate Tago, 35; SR WR Darnell Adams, 34; SR P Marcus Kinsella, 31
• Most career starts: SR OL Cam Keizur, 34; SR CB Xavier Coleman, 27; SR K Jonathan Gonzales, 27; SR P Marcus Kinsella, 27; JR S Beau Duronslet, 17; SR DE Michael Doman, 16
• Consecutive starts: SR OL Cam Keizur, 27; SR K Jonathan Gonzales, 27; SR P Marcus Kinsella, 27; SR CB Xavier Coleman, 20; SR QB Alex Kuresa, 15