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Game 10
#14 WEBER STATE WILDCATS (7-2, 5-1) vs. PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (0-9, 0-6) 
Saturday, November 11, 2 p.m. • Providence Park (18,627), Portland, OR
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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TV: None
RADIO:Rip City Radio 620 AM, www.ripcityradio.com • Pregame Show: 1 p.m. • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: Pluto TV Channel 232 (www.pluto.tv) • Live stats: www.ViksLive.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. WILDCATS
All-Time Series: Weber State leads 21-14 • Portland State leads 9-8 in Portland • Weber State leads 13-5 in Ogden
Big Sky Series: Weber State leads 11-8 • Weber State leads 5-4 in Portland • Weber State leads 6-4 in Ogden
 
Big Sky Conference games
Oct. 19, 1996: WSU 35-10 @ Portland
Oct. 18, 1997: WSU 16-7 @ Ogden
Oct. 24, 1998: PSU 34-27 @ Portland
Oct. 23, 1999: PSU 31-14 @ Ogden
Oct. 21, 2000: WSU 41-9 @ Ogden
Oct. 20, 2001: PSU 65-43 @ Portland
Nov. 9, 2002: WSU 20-14 @ Ogden
Nov. 8, 2003: WSU 45-21 @ Portland
Nov. 13, 2004: PSU 34-15 @ Ogden
Nov. 12, 2005: PSU 39-14 @ Portland
Sept. 23, 2006: PSU 20-10 @ Ogden
Oct. 27, 2007: WSU 73-68 @ Portland
Nov. 1, 2008: WSU 31-21 @ Ogden
Sept. 26, 2009: WSU 36-29 @ Portland
Oct. 23, 2010: WSU 44-41 @ Ogden
Nov. 19, 2011: WSU 48-33 @ Portland
Nov. 2, 2013: PSU 45-24 @ Portland
Oct. 25, 2014: PSU 30-17 @ Ogden
Oct. 8, 2016: WSU 14-10 @ Ogden
 
VIKINGS LOOK FOR UPSET IN THE SEASON'S FINAL WEEKS
If Portland State is going to get in the win column over the season's final two weeks, it will have to do so in upset fashion. The Vikings will play nationally-ranked Weber State and Eastern Washington in their final two games.
           
First come the 14th-ranked Wildcats this Saturday in Portland State's home finale at Providence Park. The Vikings host WSU in a 2 p.m. game. 
           
Weber State comes off a big win at Eastern Washington last Saturday, 28-20. That has the Wildcats at 7-2 for the season, 5-1 in the Big Sky Conference. They are in a three-way tie for first place with Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
           
Portland State, 0-9 and still seeking its first win of 2017, came oh-so-close last Saturday at Cal Poly. The Vikings lost 35-28, but were driving in the final minute of the game. A completed pass that would have given PSU a chance to tie came just out of the back of the endzone. On the next play the Mustangs made a diving interception with 48 seconds left to hand the Vikings the loss.
           
The good news was the emergence of quarterback Davis Alexander, a redshirt freshman. Alexander completed 30-51 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown as the Vikings out-gained Cal Poly 504 to 449. It was the most passing yards by a Viking QB in nine seasons.
           
To get an upset win this week, the Vikings will have to turn the offense up again. Weber State leads the Big Sky in scoring defense (17.7) and total defense (342.9).
           
This Saturday's game airs on Rip City Radio 620 AM in Portland and www.ripcityradio.com. A live video stream can be found at www.WatchBigSky.com and www.pluto.tv (channel 232). The live stats link is available at the www.GoViks.com website.
           
Saturday will also be Senior Day as 23 seniors will be playing in their final home game. They are included later in these notes.
 
STORYLINES
• Weber State earned an at-large berth to the FCS Playoffs last season, its first since 2008.
• Tight end Andrew Vollert, punter Jacob De Maio and cornerback Taron Johnson were All-Big Sky Conference selections last season. Vollert earned All-American honors.
• Weber State ranked tops in pass defense in the Big Sky last season (193.5 yards per game).
• Portland State will try to avenge a 14-10 loss to the Wildcats in a rare defensive struggle last season in Ogden.
• Weber State leads the all-time series, 21-14, and the Big Sky series, 11-8.
• The 2007 meeting between the teams in Portland is the highest-scoring Division I regulation football game in college history with Weber State winning, 73-68. Amazingly, that was NOT the most points by either team in the series. Weber State earned a 74-6 win in 1965. A Mouse Davis-coached Portland State team won 75-0 in 1980. A 65-43 win by the Vikings in 2001 in Portland was the highest-scoring game in PSU history by two teams, combined, until the 2007 contest.
 
LAST MEETING, Oct. 8, 2016: Weber State 14, Portland State 10
In a rare defensive struggle in the Big Sky Conference, Weber State held on to beat the Vikings. 
           
Portland State was driving for the winning score late in the fourth quarter, moving to the WSU 14-yard line. But the Vikings were stopped on a fourth-and-four play, and the Wildcats were able to run out the clock.
           
PSU had 317 yards of total offense to just 271 for Weber State, a season-low for a Viking opponent. Viking linebacker Sam Bodine made a team-high 11 tackles. Quarterback Alex Kuresa had 226 yards of total offense.
 
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Weber State is contending for a Big Sky Conference Championship with two weeks remaining in the season. The Wildcats are 5-1 in the Big Sky and seeking two more wins for a virtually certain post-season appearance. One win is likely to do the trick.
           
WSU has gotten the job done with defense as it leads the Big Sky in fewest yards (342.9) and fewest points (17.7) allowed this season. The Wildcats have forced 21 turnovers, including 14 interceptions, and made 23 quarterback sacks.
           
The Wildcat offense has modest but efficient numbers. They average 381.6 yards and 32.8 points per game. Quarterback Stefan Cantwell has been very effective, competing 135 of 220 passes for 1,836 yards and 14 touchdowns with only two interceptions.
           
Tight end Andew Vollert is an All-American. He leads the team with 37 catches for 472 yards and three touchdowns.
           
Treshawn Garrett is the top rusher with 102 carries for 539 yards and three touchdowns.
           
Weber State also features the top kicker in the league, Trey Tuttle, who has made 16-18 field goal attempts.
 
VIKINGS VS. NATIONALLY-RANKED PROGRAMS
Portland State plays its second nationally-ranked opponent of the season in Weber State. The Vikings lost an Oct. 14 game to 24th-ranked Northern Arizona, 42-20. Portland State is 19-42 all-time (13-18 home, 6-23 road) against nationally-ranked FCS programs since moving to Division I in 1996. 
 
ON THIS DATE: Nov. 11, 1967
Portland State and Weber State met once previously on this date back in 1967. The Wildcats came away with a 40-21 win in Ogden. The Vikings are 5-3 all-time on Nov. 11. 
 
QUICK SNAPS
 
SOME NUMBERS THAT NEED ERASING: Portland State went 9-2 in the regular season in 2015. Since that time it has been a rough road as the Vikings are 3-18. 
• Included in the last 21 games are an NCAA playoff loss, four losses to FBS opponents, an overtime loss, and six losses by a touchdown or less.
• The Vikings have lost 11 in a row dating to last season. They have lost seven straight home games and six straight road games.
• PSU's last 0-9 start was in 1981.
 
DAVIS ALEXANDER EMERGES: Based on his play late in the North Dakota game and a hunch by Head Coach Bruce Barnum, the Vikings started RS FR QB Davis Alexander at Cal Poly. It proved to be a good decision. Though he had thrown only 10 passes in two previous appearances, Alexander was ready for his close up. The Vikings reconfigured some things they do on offense to take advantage of Alexander's powerful throwing arm. The results proved it out. Alexander completed 30-51 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown. He also had one interception. It was the most passing yards by a Viking quarterback since Drew Hubel had 474 in a game in 2008. Alexander was sacked three times, but had 35 positive rushing yards on five other carries.
 
SOMEBODY HAD TO CATCH THOSE PASSES: SR WR Trent Riley was the beneficiary of Alexander's passing more than any other. Riley set new career highs of 12 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most receptions by a Viking player in four seasons. Riley leads the team with 45 receptions this season, which is also the most in four years. He ranks eight in the Big Sky in receptions.. SR WR Darnell Adams caught six passes for a career-high 157 yards in the game... SO TE Charlie Taumoepeau had six receptions for 89 yards.
 
TRUE FRESHMEN FEATURED ON 2017 VIKINGS: A total of nine true freshmen have played this season. Included are QB Jalani Eason, RB Antwone Williams, LB Dylan Hanley, TE AJ Ruffin, RB Jason Talley, K Noah Brosio, P Hayden Cowden, DT Semise Kofe and LB Nicolas Ah Sam.
• In all, PSU has played 30 underclassmen (true freshmen, redshirt freshmen, sophomores).
• The offensive backfield currently features three true freshmen (Eason, Talley, Williams), a redshirt freshman (QB Davis Alexander), and three sophomores (RBs Carlos Martin and Chase Morrison and QB Cade Smith).
• Last season, Portland State played six true freshman on defense, in part due to numerous injuries, and a total of eight overall.
 
INJURED AND OUT: Injuries have begun to play a major role in the Portland State team's struggles. 
• Three key starters are injured and out for the year: SR LT Randin Crecelius, JR C Garret Stauffer and SR RB Za'Quan Summers.
• Also missing on Saturday was starter SR CB Chris Seisay. Other key players that were out included SR ST/RB Mitch Thompson, JR TE Cole Ford, JR DT John Jackson and FR LB Steffen Jacobsen. 
• Last year, Portland State lost 131 games to injury among 29 players. A testament to the number of injuries last season and accummulating injuries this season is that the longest stretch of consecutive starts by an offensive or defensive player is 11, by SR OL Justin Outslay.
 
KRAGHT-Y PERFORMER: SR WR Josh Kraght continues to make his mark as an all-around player. He was involved in two trick plays at Cal Poly that both resulted in touchdowns. The first was a 24-yard pass to SR WR Trent Riley for touchdown after taking a lateral pass from FR QB Davis Alexander. Later, Kraght pulled off a fake field goal as the holder, pulling his hold and running to the left corner of the endzone for a score. For the game, he had five receptions for 43 yards, a pass completion for 24 yards and a six-yard run. 
• In his Portland State career, Kraght has been a quarterback, slot receiver and punt returner. Kraght has played slot receiver again this year as well as quarterback. On Sept. 2 against Oregon State Kraght nearly led the Vikings to a win in the fourth quarter, scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 2:43 remaining on a five-yard run. For the game, he had three receptions for 82 yards and touchdowns of 42 and 37 yards. He added eight carries for 50 yards and a TD. And, he completed 4-9 passes for 59 yards. That's a total of 191 yards and three TDs.
• Kraght started the next three games at QB but has since moved back to receiver. In his three starts he had 962 yards of total offense, 718 passing yards, career-highs in rushing and passing, and accounted for four TDs.
• His line for 2017 includes 16 receptions for 230 yards and two touchdowns, 48 rushing plays for 313 yards and three touchdowns, and 72-144 passing for 817 yards and four touchdowns. That is a total of 1,360 yards and nine touchdowns.
• In 2016, Kraght led the team with 36 receptions for 518 yards and a touchdown. He had eight rushing plays for 47 yards and a touchdown, 11 punt returns for 64 yards, and completed 3-5 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.
For his career, Kraght has been a quadruple threat:
• He has completed 125-248 passes for 1,463 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.
• Kraght has rushed 101 times for 591 yards and six touchdowns. 
• Kraght has 68 career receptions for 975 yards and four touchdowns.
• He has 28 punt returns for 153 yards.
• In total, he has accounted for 3,182 yards and 17 touchdowns.
 
OLD MAN RIVER KEEPS ON FLOWING: Head Coach Bruce Barnum likes to call SR WR Darnell Adams "Old Man River." Why? Well, Adams is in his sixth season at Portland State, and will turn 24 years old on Nov. 15. In the off-season Adams was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA due to losing two seasons to injury (2013 - knee; 2016 - foot). He missed the game with North Dakota due to injury and hopes to return this week. For the most part, Adams has been healthy this season. And he has produced:
• Adams has 35 receptions for a team-leading 529 yards and four touchdowns. He ranks 10th in catches and ninth in yards in the Big Sky.
• In consecutive weeks against Montana and Montana State he tied his career high for receptions (9) twice, and set new career highs for yards - 115, then 118. He established a new career high with 157 yards at Cal Poly.
• Among current players, Adams is PSU's career leader in receiving with 90 catches for 1,392 yards and 11 touchdowns in 42 career games played.
 
THE COMMITTEE: Portland State's running game under Bruce Barnum has eclipsed 2,000 yards in all eight seasons and averaged over 200 yards per game in all eight seasons. It has usually been done without a "big" back, but rather "by committee." This year, the committee is in session again.
• The Vikings went away from the running game against Cal Poly, throwing 52 passes. That affected their overall rushing stats, but they are still at 187.8 per game.
• The loss of SR RB Za'Quan Summers (knee) has had an impact on the running game, but PSU has used a variety of backs (and quarterbacks) to get its yardage. 
• Seven different Vikings are averaging double figures in rushing yards per game. SR RB Za'Quan Summers was the leader, averaging 64.3 yards before going down with a knee injury. 
• Eight different Viking rushers have scored touchdowns.
• The Vikings had a season-high 305 rushing yards against Northern Arizona.
• JR RB Andre Petties-Wilson who has made the switch from wide receiver has the longest play from scrimmage for the Vikings this season with a 77-yard TD run at Idaho State.
 
AWESOME DAWSON: SR WR/KR Kahlil Dawson had a big day against Montana, returning a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown. He had 162 yards on kick returns and also caught two passes for 33 yards. 
• Dawson has three kick returns for touchdown in his career - one in each of the last three seasons. 
• Dawson totaled 248 return yards at Idaho State with nine kick returns for 217 yards and one punt return for 31 yards.
• With 1,954 kick return yards in his career, Dawson ranks second all-time at PSU. He has a career average of 23.0 yards.
• Dawson ranks fifth in the Big Sky and 27th in the nation in all-purpose yards (118.6) with positive yards in rushing, receiving, punt returns and kick returns.
 
JUST CALL HIM MR. FIRST DOWN: SO TE Charlie Taumoepeau is one of the Vikings' top receivers this season with 34 catches for a 488 yards and two touchdowns. 
• Taumoepeau had career-highs of six receptions for 73 yards at BYU. He then went for a career-high 92 yards and two touchdowns at Montana State.
• All 13 of his receptions in the first three games went for first downs. In all, 26 of his 34 catches have been first downs.
 
DEFENSIVE NOTES: 
• JR LB Kasun Jackett has taken over the team lead with 81 total tackles this season, ranking ninth in the Big Sky. He had a career-high 16 tackles and a fumble recovery at Cal Poly. Jackett has 37 tackles over the last three games.
• SR LB Beau Duronslet has 56 tackles this season. Duronslet is the Vikings' active career leader in tackles with 241. With an interception and a fumble recovery (both leading to Viking scores) against OSU, Duronslet now has five takeaways in his career. He was named Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 2.
• SR CB Chris Seisay intercepted two passes against Montana. He had a third pick taken away after the Vikings were flagged for a penalty. He now has four interceptions in the 14 games he has played cornerback for the Vikings but has missed the last two games with injury.
• JR S Artuz Manning has 56 tackles this season, an interception, four tackles for loss and a team-high six pass breakups. His 5.4 solo tackles per game ranks 27th in the nation... Manning has 115 career tackles in 29 games. He missed the game with North Dakota due to injury.
• SR DE Davond Dade made four tackles, with two for losses, including a sack, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry against BYU, earning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
• The Vikings have 29 pass breakups, including six by SR CB Donovan Olumba and Manning, and five by SR CB Chris Seisay.
• FR LB Nicolas Ah Sam became the second true freshman (QB Jalani Eason) to earn a start, when he lined up against Northern Arizona. Ah Sam made four tackles, two for losses and a sack. He has now started four games in a row and made 21 tackles in those starts.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES: 
• Portland State started three freshmen on special teams with P Hayden Cowden, PK Noah Brosio and KO Thomas Ciobanasiu in the first game. FR K Graycen Kennedy played at Oregon State, attempting a 46-yard game-tying field goal with three seconds left. It was wide right by only a few feet. 
• Kennedy has become the starting kicker since game three. He converted his first two field goals - 28 and 29 yards - against Northern Arizona. 
• Cowden has averaged 38.5 yards on punts. He had a 70-yarder against BYU and was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. Cowden boomed a 76-yarder at Montana State.
• SR RB Mitch Thompson was a second team All-Big Sky Conference selection on special teams last season making 12 tackles. Despite missing three games, he has four special teams tackles this year and 25 over the past three years. 
• SR WR Justin Calo has a team-leading seven special teams tackles this year.
 
VETERANS: Among Portland State's returning players, here are the most experienced:
• Most games played: SR WR/QB Josh Kraght, 44; SR FS Beau Duronslet, 44; SR WR Darnell Adams, 42; SR DE Davond Dade, 39, SR DT William Dawson, 37; SR WR Kahlil Dawson, 37.
• Most career starts: SR FS Beau Duronslet, 31; SR LT Randin Crecelius, 26; SR OL Chad Bach, 22; SR WR Darnell Adams, 21; SR WR Trent Riley, 21; SR DE Davond Dade, 21; SR WR/QB Josh Kraght, 20.
• Consecutive starts: SO LS Riley Shackelford, 20; Justin Outslay, 11; Davond Dade, 10.
 
ROSTER BREAKDOWN: On Portland State's current 94-player roster, there are 23 seniors, 15 juniors, 13 sophomores and 43 freshmen (30 true, 13 redshirt)... Portland State has 41 players on the roster from the state of Oregon.
 
VIKING SENIORS
 
1, Tyler Foreman, S, 6-1, 195, Pasadena, CA (Crespi/UCLA)
            A transfer from UCLA, Foreman has played in 31 career games, making 15 starts. He has 54 tackles this season and 128 in his career, as well as two interceptions and eight pass breakups.
           
3, Justin Calo, WR, 6-0, 185, Beaverton, OR (Southridge)
            Calo, a local product, has gone from walk-on to contributor on special teams and at wide receiver. He has seven tackles this season and 14 in his career, as well as five receptions and a touchdown.
 
4, Josh Kraght, WR/QB, 6-0, 200, Lynden, WA (Lynden)
            Kraght has done it all at some point in his career, playing 44 games at quarterback, receiver and return man. He has over 3,100 yards of passing, rushing and receiving and accounted for 19 touchdowns.
           
5, Kahlil Dawson, WR, 5-9, 180, Spanaway, WA (Graham-Kapowsin)
            A four-year letterwinner, Dawson will finish his career as the number two all-time kick returner at Portland State with more than 2,000 total yards. He has three kick return touchdowns.
           
7, Darnell Adams, WR, 6-2, 200, Newberg, OR (Newberg)
            Battling injuries throughout his career, Adams has managed to play more than 40 games and become the Vikings' top receiver in recent seasons. He has 35 receptions, 522 yards and four touchdowns this season, and accounted for 90 receptions, 1,392 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career.
 
9, Chris Seisay, CB, 6-1, 190, Vallejo, CA (American Canyon/Oregon)
            A transfer from Oregon Seisay has been a two-year letterwinner and starter at cornerback. He has 49 tackles, 13 pass breakups and four interceptions in 16 games.
 
13, De'Sean Parsons, WR, 6-7, 200, Sacramento, CA (Grant Union)
            Parsons is a former Viking basketball player who walked-on to the football program his senior season. He has played in every game this year, making five receptions.
 
19, Malik Cyphers, S, 5-10, 175, Westlakes Village, CA (Oaks Christian)
                        A four-year letterwinner, Cyphers has played in 30 career games for the Vikings at safety and on special teams. He has 42 tackles, including 26 this season.
 
21, Ryan Wood, S, 6-2, 195, Peoria, AZ (Sunrise Mountain/Glendale CC)
            Wood is a transfer from Glendale Community College and has played two seasons at Portland State as a safety, cornerback and on special teams. In 16 games he has 22 total tackles and a sack. He was an Academic All-Big Sky Conference selection.
 
22, Za'Quan Summers, RB, 5-9, 175, Alexandria, VA (Williams/Scottsdale CC)
            Injuries prevented Summers from being a bigger contributor in his two seasons at Portland State. In 10 career games he rushed for 598 yards and three touchdowns. Included was a team-high 386 yards through six games this year before he was injured.
 
29, Donovan Olumba, CB, 6-2, 195, Tucson, AZ (Salpointe Cath./Alderson-Broaddus)
            A walk-on this year for his lone season at Portland State, Olumba has become a key player. Starting every game at cornerback, he has 18 tackles and six pass breakups.
 
35, Mitchell Thompson, RB, 5-7, 180, Oregon City, OR (Oregon City)
            Originally a walk-on, Thompson earned a scholarship for his hard work and tenacity. He became a vital special teams player, earning second team All-Big Sky Conference last season after making 12 tackles. For his career, he has 25 tackles as well as 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
 
39, Beau Duronslet, LB, 5-11, 200, Milwaukie, OR (Central Catholic)
            A mainstay on defense for the Vikings, Duronslet has played in 44 games, making 31 starts. He has 56 tackles this season and was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week after making an interception and fumble recovery at Oregon State. Duronslet has 243 tackles, 12 pass breakups and five takeaways in his career.
 
52, Taylor Biaggi, LB, 6-2, 200, Windsor, CA (Windsor/Santa Rosa JC)
            In two seasons, Biaggi has played in 17 games at linebacker, safety and on special twams. He has 13 total tackles.
 
61, Justin Outslay, OL, 6-5, 300, Salem, OR (Salem Academy)
            A four-year letterwinner, Outslay has played in 27 career games and been a starter the past two seasons. He will be a three-time Academic All-Big Sky Conference selection.
 
66, Desmoun Thompson, OL, 6-7, 310, Burien, WA (Kennedy Catholic)   
            A four-year letterwinner, Thompson spent time at defensive line and tight end before settling at offensive line. He has played in 31 career games, making seven starts.
 
71, Tyshon Mosley, OL, 6-5, 295, Sandy, UT (Jordan/Utah State)
            Mosley transferred to Portland State from Utah State last season and took over as the starting left guard. He has started all 18 games he has played as a Viking.
 
72, Chad Bach, OL, 6-3, 290, Bend, OR (Mountain View)
            In his three seasons as a letterwinner, Bach has played in 24 games, starting 22 at guard and center. He has been limited only by injuries, causing him to miss the 2014 season.
 
78, Austin Powell, OL, 6-4, 285, Corvallis, OR (Crescent Valley)
            Powell has been a member of the Viking program for the past five seasons. He has served mainly on the scout team.
 
79, Randin Crecelius, OL, 6-5, 305, Lake Stevens, WA (Cascade)
            Crecelius, a four-year letterwinner, started 26 of 29 career games before a knee injury ended his season a few weeks ago. He was honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference in 2015 and third team All-Big Sky in 2016.
 
80, Trent Riley, WR, 6-1, 200, North Bend, WA (Mount Si/UNLV)
            A three-year letterwinner after transferring from UNLV, Riley has become the Vikings' leading receiver this season with 45 catches for 502 yards and four touchdowns. He has 63 career catches and six touchdowns.
 
91, William Dawson, DT, 6-4, 300, Eugene, OR (Churchill)
            Dawson has been a reliable defensive tackle in his four years as a Viking. He has played in 37 games and made five starts. Dawson has 49 tackles and two sacks in his career.
 
99, Davond Dade, DE, 6-3, 260, Los Angeles, CA (Crespi Carmelite)
            A four-year letterwinner, Dade has started 21 of his 38 career games, including all nine this season. For his career, he has made 95 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, forced three fumbles, broken up four passes and has two takeaways.