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Game 1
PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS vs. BRIGHAM YOUNG COUGARS
Saturday, Aug. 26, 1 p.m. MT/Noon PT • Lavell Edwards Stadium (63,470), Provo, UT
complete notes and stats in pdf

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TV: ESPN • Play-by-play: Mark Neely • Analyst: Trevor Matich • Sidelines: Kris Budden
RADIO: Rip City Radio 620 AM, www.ripcityradio.com • Pregame Show: 11 a.m. PT • Play-by-play: Tom Hewitt • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: None • Live stats: www.ViksLive.com
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. COUGARS
First-ever meeting between the schools
 
STORYLINES
• This is the first of two FBS opponents for the Vikings in 2017. Portland State will also play Oregon State. This is the fourth straight year that PSU will play two FBS teams in the same season and the eighth time overall (three FBS opponents in 2006).
• Portland State is 4-34 all-time against NCAA I FBS programs. The Vikings last beat an FBS opponent in 2015 when they knocked off both Washington State (24-17) and North Texas (66-7). In 2016, PSU lost to San Jose State (66-35) and Washington (41-3).
• Brigham Young was 9-4 in 2016, including a Poinsettia Bowl victory over Wyoming. The Cougars finished the season on a five-game winning streak and winners of eight out of nine.
 
ON THIS DATE: Aug. 26
Portland State has never played a game as early as Aug. 26. The previous earliest start was Aug. 29, 2013. The Vikings are 3-2 all-time in games played in August.
 
VIKINGS OPEN SEASON WITH FIRST-TIME OPPONENT BYU
Portland State makes its earliest start to a season in football history when it plays this Saturday against BYU. The Vikings and the Cougars meet for the first time in a game that will be the first of the season aired by ESPN. Kickoff at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo is 1 p.m. MT/Noon PT.
     
The game opens a season of challenges for Portland State as the Vikings will try to climb back up the Big Sky Conference standings. Following BYU, PSU plays another Football Bowl Subdivision program in Oregon State on Sept. 2. The two games make for a stout beginning to a season that includes what may be the most difficult Big Sky Conference schedule among the 13 teams in the league (see ...WHICH MEANS THE VIKINGS HAVE THE MOST DIFFICULT SCHEDULE below).
     
The Vikings' final non-conference game will also be their home opener, a Sept. 16 matchup with UC Davis at Providence Park. Although both schools are members of the Big Sky, the game will be played outside the conference schedule.
     
Portland State is led by third-year Head Coach Bruce Barnum (12-11). He was the FCS National Coach of the Year in his first season (2015) after leading the Vikings to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2000. Last year's team dipped to a 3-8 record amid a bevy of narrow last-minute losses and a multitude of injuries. Barnum led his team to two wins over FBS teams in 2015 (Washington State, North Texas), then lost both FBS games in 2016 (San Jose State, Washington). Portland State is 4-34 all-time against members of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
     
His 2017 Viking team returns 41 letterwinners and 14 starters (six on offense, seven on defense and one on special teams). Portland State returns a strong offensive line and has an upgraded group of receivers, but is rebuilding its backfield. Hit hard by injuries last year, the Viking defense is still young but very athletic and talented. PSU hopes to emulate the 2015 no-name group that forced 28 turnovers and routinely made big plays.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE VIKINGS
The makings of the 2017 Portland State football season are suspiciously similar to those of 2015, when the Vikings surprised everyone with a 9-2 campaign (just five points shy of a perfect regular season). Included that season were two wins over FBS programs and a trip to the NCAA playoffs. That is not to suggest the 2017 team will approach the success of that lightning-in-a-bottle season, but the signs for this season and the future are overwhelmingly positive.
     
Portland State comes into 2017 under the radar, an unheralded team that was picked ninth among 13 teams in the Big Sky Conference Coaches preseason poll. In 2015, the Vikings were picked also picked ninth and ended up in second place.
     
Also similar to 2015, the Vikings entered preseason camp with a competition to find a new starting quarterback. Alex Kuresa won the job '15 and went on to great success as the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year. A four-player competition this season also revealed a new starter when FR Jalani Eason was selected to lead the Vikings.
     
Portland State's opportunistic defense of 2015 forced 28 turnovers for the season as PSU was one of the best in the nation at turnover ratio (+13). That group was a no-name bunch when the season began, but well known by season's end as one of the best defenses in the Big Sky. Senior safety Patrick Onwuasor (now in the NFL) was a finalist of National Defensive Player of the Year. Like that team, this year's young but talented Viking defense has shown a penchant for forcing turnovers in preseason practice - another positive omen.
     
PSU opens with a pair of very challenging FBS opponents. The final nine games will be against Big Sky Conference opponents and one schedule analysis has the Vikings playing the toughest group of opponents in the league (in a 13-team conference, strength of schedule has a lot to do with the teams you DO NOT play). So consider this; the Vikings will play all four teams in the Big Sky that reached the NCAA playoffs in 2016 over the final four weeks of this season (North Dakota, Cal Poly, Weber State, Eastern Washington). All four are ranked in the Preseason FCS Coaches Top 25 poll. And that doesn't even include matchups with traditional powerhouses Montana (home) and Montana State (road).
     
It will not be easy to make a climb in the Big Sky Conference standings in 2017. But Barnum and his staff have been building for this year and future seasons with strong freshman recruiting classes on the past two signing days. As a result, depth has evened out at every position and PSU's freshman and sophomore classes are as talented and athletic as any seen on the Park Blocks. In fact, eight true freshmen will be on the travel roster to BYU.
 
COACHING STAFF PICKS FRESHMAN QB EASON FOR FIRST START
Perhaps the biggest news coming out of preseason camp was the naming of true freshman Jalani Eason as the Vikings' starting quarterback. Eason is a 5-11, 185-pounder from Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, CA who signed with the Vikings last February. He won a tight competition that came down to senior Josh Kraght and redshirt freshman Davis Alexander as well.
     
Eason was the Mission League Most Valuable Player last year at Junipero Serra. He completed 188-327 passes for 2,290 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Eason also rushed 121 times for 1,003 yards and 10 scores, making him a prototype for the Viking offense. Upon his signing last February, Head Coach Bruce Barnum said of Eason, "He is a perfect fit for our offense, as far as the run-pass aspect. He will be fun to watch."
     
Following the selection of Eason as starter, Barnum said: "Jalani's production, poise, mobility and playmaking ability have all been there throughout camp."
     
Meanwhile, Kraght who played quarterback as a freshman in 2014, then moved to wide receiver in 2015 and 2016, is expected to play a dual role as a backup QB and a slot receiver. He led the Vikings in receptions last year with 36 for 518 yards and one touchdown. In his career, he has been a multiple threat, accounting for 1,822 yards and eight touchdowns passing, rushing, receiving and on punt returns.
 
TRUE FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK? IT'S BEEN DONE
The last time a true freshman started at quarterback for the Vikings was not so long ago. And, it was under Bruce Barnum while he was Portland State's offensive coordinator.
     
In 2012, Kieran McDonough won a similar four-man competition to be the starter at PSU. He went on to have a solid season, completing 171-314 passes for 2,187 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. McDonough, a 6-2, 240-pounder, also rushed 89 times for 406 yards and nine touchdowns.
     
In his first start as a Viking, he completed 8-16 passes for 192 yards and two scores in a win over Carroll College. In McDonough's only matchup against an FBS program (Washington), he was 18-32 for 178 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while rushing for 61 yards and a score on 10 carries.
 
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
Brigham Young University comes off a 9-4 season under first-year Head Coach Kalani Sitake. The Cougars, playing as an FBS independent, have reached a bowl game every season since 2005. BYU notched a 24-21 Poinsettia Bowl victory over Wyoming, finishing the season on a five-game winning streak and winners of eight out of nine.
     
BYU features 59 returning letterwinners and 14 returning starters.
     
The Cougars had a talented defense that allowed only 19.5 points and 112.8 rushing yards per game last season. The top three playmakers from that group return, including senior linebacker Fred Warner, who had 86 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2016. Butch Pau'u and Francis Bernard round out a talented LB trio. Those two had 83 and 80 tackles respectively, combining for another 12.5 TFLs.
     
Like the Vikings, BYU is replenishing its skill positions on offense. Quarterback Tanner Mangum threw only 33 passes last year, but was the starter and National Freshman of the Year in 2015. Mangum started the Poinsettia Bowl win.
     
Junior Squally Canada is the most experienced back returning, rushing 74 times for 315 yards last season. Jonathan Trinnaman is the top returning receiver with 28 receptions for 321 yards last season.
     
The BYU offense averaged 399.1 yards and 29.5 points per game in 2016.
     
Kicker Rhett Almond (17-21 FGs) and punter Jonny Linehan (42.5 ypg) also return to the Cougar lineup.
 
THE VIKINGS ON TELEVISION
Portland State will appear on ESPN for the first time since moving to the Division I level in 1996. The game with BYU will be the first college football game televised on ESPN for the 2017 season.
     
PSU is scheduled to have six games televised this season (ESPN, Pac-12 Network, Root (2), Eleven Sports (2)). That ranks as the second-most games available locally in school history (there were nine in 2012). PSU is 22-41 all-time on television since joining Division I (1996). The Vikings are 14-15 at home and 8-26 on the road.
 
QUICK SNAPS
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY
• Portland State was 3-8 in 2016, 2-3 at home, 1-5 on the road.
• Portland State is playing its 25th season at the NCAA I FCS level (1978-80 (1-AA), 1996-2017). PSU is 126-142 in all games at the FCS/1-AA level.
• Now in its 22nd season since moving back to FCS and the Big Sky Conference (1996-2017), PSU is 107-128, 69-44 in home games, 38-84 on the road.
• As a member of the Big Sky Conference (1996-2017) PSU is 70-93 all-time in league games, 42-40 at home, 28-53 on the road.
• The Vikings have nine winning records in 21 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Bruce Barnum (2015-16, 8-8 Big Sky, 12-11 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 times under Walsh and in 2015 under Barnum). PSU has made two NCAA FCS playoff appearances (2000, 2015).
• PSU's best record ever at the FCS level was 9-3 in 2015 (4-2 at home, 5-1 on the road).
 
VETERANS: Among Portland State's returning players, here are the most experienced:
• Most games played: SR WR/QB Josh Kraght, 35; SR FS Beau Duronslet, 35; SR WR Darnell Adams, 34; SR DE Davond Dade 30
• Most career starts: SR FS Beau Duronslet, 23; SR LT Randin Crecelius, 20; SR WR/QB Josh Kraght, 15; Five tied with 13
• Consecutive starts: SR LT Randin Crecelius, 15; SR WR/QB Josh Kraght, 11; SO DT Anthony Del Toro, 11; SR S Tyler Foreman, 11; SO LS Riley Shackelford, 11
 
NEW STAFF: Portland State Head Coach Bruce Barnum has added Hansen Sekona, David Lose and Colin Fry to his coaching staff for 2017. Lose has been named the new defensive line coach after working the previous six seasons at Washington State. Sekona was a graduate assistant at Washington where he worked with the 2016 Pac-12 Champion Huskies. He became the new linebackers coach. Fry comes from Cal where he was a graduate assistant the past four seasons. He will be a defensive assistant for the Vikings.

VIKINGS NAME FOUR TEAM CAPTAINS: In a vote by the Viking players last week, four seniors were selected to be team captains for the 2017 season. They are: WR/QB Josh Kraght, WR Darnell Adams, DE Davond Dade, LB Beau Duronslet.

TRUE FRESHMEN ON THE TRIP: A number of true freshmen appear to have made the travel squad along with QB Jalani Eason. One of those players is RB Antwone Williams. The running back nicknamed "Turbo" impressed with his speed and elusiveness, and will add to the running game and possibly special teams. Other true freshmen with a chance to play are DT Semise Kofe, LB Tanner Sallee and Ss Anthony Adams and Ryan Swanson. TE AJ Ruffin and RB Jason Talley are both gray shirts (entered school in winter 2017 after finishing high school in 2016) who are considered true freshmen as well.
 
KURESA PICKED AS HONORARY CAPTAIN: Former Portland State quarterback Alex Kuresa will be an honorary captain for the opening coin flip at the Portland State-BYU football game. Kuresa was the starting quarterback at PSU in 2015 and 2016. In '15, he led the Vikings to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2000, garnering Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year honors. Kuresa began his career at BYU where he competed two seasons. He was a redshirt in 2011, then competed in 2012 as a receiver, playing in 10 games. A native of Millville, UT, Kuresa also played one season of quarterback at Snow Junior College.
 
A FAMILY AFFAIR
• SR WR Darnell Adams and FR S Anthony Adams are brothers who prepped at Newberg (OR) HS. Darnell is playing in his sixth season after being granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA. Adams missed two seasons with injuries (2013 and 2016). That will allow the brothers to play on the same team for the first time ever. They will also face one another across the line of scrimmage in practice.
• SR QB/WR Josh Kraght was married in 2015 (Jessie).
• JR OL Josh Brown and RS FR LB Cody Brown are brothers who prepped at Sunset (OR) HS.
• FR QB Davis Koetter is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter.
• FR LB Markus Sullivan's uncle is Pat Sullivan, who won the Heisman Trophy at Auburn in 1971.
• FR WR Mataio Talalemotu is the son of Ina Talalemotu, who played in 1987-88 on Portland State's two NCAA II National finalist teams.
• FR RB Jason Talley is the son of Wendell Talley, who played basketball at Portland State from 1978-80.
• JR S Nate Salu's father, Ace, played at Portland State in 1988-89. Ace was a member of the Viking team that played for the NCAA II National Championship in '88.
• FR DE Jake Porter's father, Jason, was a four-year letterwinner in baseball at Portland State (1991-94).
• SR LT Randin Crecelius' sister, Chelsie, also played high school football through her sophomore season.
• FR K Graycen Kennedy is the son of Viking women's basketball coach Lynn Kennedy.
 
TIDBITS OF VIKING TRIVIA
• Portland State has 40 players on the roster from the state of Oregon, plus three others from just across the river and the Vancouver, WA area.
• SR RB Mitch Thompson, originally a walk-on at PSU in 2013, was surprised by Coach Bruce Barnum with a scholarship at the team's first meeting on the eve of 2016's first football practice. He has the Arthur Dickson Memorial Scholarship.
• After walking on at Portland State last winter, SO TE Cameron Loos (New Mexico State transfer) and FR RB Jason Talley (Jesuit HS) were given scholarships after the completion of spring football.
• SR WRs Darnell Adams and De'Sean Parsons have already completed their degrees and graduated but have one year of eligibility remaining.
• SR WR Darnell Adams was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA due to multiple season-ending injuries (2013 and 2016) that ended his seasons prematurely.
• Walk-on SR WR De'Sean Parsons played the past two seasons on the Viking basketball team. He was named third team All-Big Sky Conference in 2016-17 after leading the Vikings in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (6.2). The 6-7, 200-pounder will take a shot at the wide receiver position.
• Portland State has 10 players on the roster that were formerly members of FBS programs.
• SR DT Will Dawson cut his hair a week before he began practice at Portland... as a freshman in 2013. He has not cut it since.
• Portland State had a pair of former players meet in the Super Bowl for the first time in history in February 2014. TE Julius Thomas ('10, Denver) and DB DeShawn Shead ('11, Seattle) both played in Super Bowl XLVIII. Shead returned to the Super Bowl in 2015 with the Seahawks. He joins Clint Didier and Ted Popson as former Vikings with Super Bowl rings. Thomas was named a Pro Bowl tight end in 2013 and 2014. In the 2014 off-season, he signed the richest tight end contract in the NFL to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas is now with Miami. Shead, a starting corner with the Seahawks in 2016, is currently recovering from an ACL injury.
• Other Vikings currently on NFL rosters are LB Patrick Onwuasor (Baltimore Ravens), CB Xavier Coleman (NY Jets), OL Cornelius Edison (Atlanta Falcons), and LS Kameron Canaday (Pittsburgh Steelers).
• Offensive coordinator Steve Cooper, who played at Portland State (2007-08), has now been an assistant under three head coaches - Jerry Glanville, Nigel Burton and Bruce Barnum. He has a degree in Philosophy - somewhat uncommon in the football world. Cooper has been known to take pre-camp excursions to southern hemisphere locales including Costa Rica and Peru (2017).
• TE Coach Matt Leunen (2005-09) and OL Coach Adam Kleffner (2008-11) are also PSU alums who competed for the Vikings.
• Special Teams Coordinator and running backs coach Nick Whitworth was Bruce Barnum's first recruit when Barnum was working at Idaho State.
• Assistant coach AC Patterson's father, Andre, is a long-time NFL coach currently working with the Minnesota Vikings.
 
CRECELIUS, DEL TORO EARN PRESEASON ALL-BIG SKY RECOGNITION
Linemen Randin Crecelius and Anthony Del Toro were both named the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference team. Crecelius, a senior left tackle, and Del Toro, a sophomore defensive tackle, were named to the exclusive 28-player team voted on by the media.
     
Crecelius, a 6-5, 305-pounder from Cascade High School in Lake Stevens, WA, has been a mainstay on the Viking offensive line the past two seasons. PSU has averaged just under 250 rushing yards and 34 points per game over those two years.
     
As a sophomore Crecelius gained a starting spot at offensive guard, and despite missing three games with injury, was named honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference. Last season, he moved to left tackle, started all 11 games and garnered third team All-Big Sky Conference recognition. Crecelius has started 15 straight games and 20 overall entering the 2017 season.
     
Del Toro, a 6-2, 295-pounder from Grants Pass, OR, stepped into the starting lineup as a true freshman at defensive tackle - a rare feat for a lineman. Del Toro made 33 tackles to rank eighth on the team. He also had three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a forced fumble. At the conclusion of the season Del Toro was named to the Hero Sports FCS All-Freshman Team.
 
MORE PRESEASON RECOGNITION
SR LT Randin Crecelius and SO DT Anthony Del Toro were selected to the preseason All-Big Sky Conference team by College Sports Madness. Crecelius was named second team All-American on College Sports Madness' Preseason list as well.
     
SR QB/WR Josh Kraght was named third team at wide receiver, as was SR RT Tyshon Mosley.
 
ONE ANALYSIS SAYS THE VIKINGS HAVE THE MOST DIFFICULT SCHEDULE
Based on this season's preseason polls, the Vikings have the most difficult conference schedule in the Big Sky (not to mention non-conference games with BYU and Oregon State). Using the poll rankings of each team, the Vikings face the most difficult combination of opponents (as a side note, PSU DOES play UC Davis, however it is a non-conference matchup). PSU plays all four of last season's FCS playoff teams: Eastern Washington, North Dakota, Cal Poly and Weber State.
     
In the hyper-competitive 13-team Big Sky Conference it is more about the teams you AVOID on your schedule in a given season than the teams you play. The teams with the easiest schedules (based on the rankings) are Northern Arizona and Cal Poly. Both of those schools avoid the top two in the rankings, defending co-champions Eastern Washington and North Dakota.
     
Rankings of schedule difficulty provided by Bill Lamberty, Montana State Media Relations.
 
DIFFICULTY OF CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
(based on preseason polls, ranked most difficult to least difficult, listing teams they DO NOT play)
1. Portland State (Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, Southern Utah, UC Davis)
2. UC Davis (Montana, Montana State, Northern Colorado, Portland State)
3. Southern Utah (Idaho State, Montana, Montana State, Portland State)
4. Montana State (Cal Poly, Sacramento State, Southern Utah, UC Davis)
5. Sacramento State (Montana, Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah)
6. Montana (Cal Poly, Sacramento State, Southern Utah, UC Davis)
7. Northern Colorado (Eastern Washington, Portland State, UC Davis, Weber State)
8. Weber State (Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, North Dakota, Sacramento State)
9. Eastern Washington (Cal Poly, Idaho State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado)
T10. Idaho State (Eastern Washington, Northern Arizona, North Dakota, Southern Utah)
T10. North Dakota (Cal Poly, Idaho State, Northern Arizona, Weber State)
12. Northern Arizona (Eastern Washington, Idaho State, North Dakota, Weber State)
13. Cal Poly (Eastern Washington, Montana, Montana State, North Dakota)
 
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Year in and year out Portland State football has one of the most challenging Football Championship Subdivision schedules in the country, and 2017 will be no different. The Vikings will open the season with a pair of FBS opponents sure to be popular with local fans, and conclude with four straight opponents who were participants in this year's FCS Playoffs.
• This is the eighth time that Portland State has played at least two FBS level programs in the same season (the Vikings played three in 2006).
• Portland State does not play a lower division school this season. The Vikings are 15-0 in games against lower division opponents since moving to Division I in 1996.
• Despite this being PSU's 71st season of football, the Vikings face BYU for just the first time in history.
• PSU faces only five teams in 2017 that were on the schedule in 2016 (UC Davis, Idaho State, Cal Poly, Weber State, Eastern Washington). The Vikings went 2-3 against those teams.
• Due to the 13-team Big Sky Conference, Portland State plays four league teams it did not see in 2016: Montana, Montana State, Northern Arizona and North Dakota. The Vikings see three other opponents cycle off their schedule in 2017: Southern Utah, Northern Colorado and Sacramento State.
• The 2017 NCAA I FCS playoffs, which includes 24 teams, begin on Nov. 25.
• The University of Idaho will rejoin the Big Sky Conference as a football-playing member in 2018.
 
2016 VIKING NOTES
QUADRUPLE THREAT: SR WR/QB/PR 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. 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 53-104 passes for 646 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
• Kraght has rushed 53 times for 278 yards and three touchdowns.
• Kraght has 52 career receptions for 745 yards and two touchdowns.
• He has 28 punt returns for 153 yards.
• In total, he has accounted for 1,822 yards and eight touchdowns.
 
YOUR HEALTH IS EVERYTHING: Portland State had a rough 2016 season when it came to injuries. In all, 29 players lost a total of 131 games to injury, and three had to retire from football.
 
YOUTH SHALL SERVE: Portland State played six true freshman on defense in 2016. Those six 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 all played... the Vikings also played true freshmen TE Charlie Taumoepeau and LS Riley Shackelford (who handled every special teams snap).
 
PORTLAND STATE'S RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS FROM 2016
Rushing Yards: Za'Quan Summers, 212
Rushing Touchdowns: Three tied with 1
Passing: Josh Kraght 3-5-0, 125 yards, 1 TD
Receptions: Josh Kraght, 36
Receiving Yards: Josh Kraght, 518
Receiving Touchdowns: Four tied with 1
Total Touchdowns: Josh Kraght, 2
Field Goals: None
Total Offense: Za'Quan Summers, 212 yards
All-Purpose Yards: Josh Kraght, 629 yards
Punting: None
Punt Returns: Josh Kraght, 11-64
Kick Returns: Kahlil Dawson 8-263-1; Za'Quan Summers, 12-244-0
Tackles: Beau Duronslet 73; Tyler Foreman, 60; Sam Bodine, 58
Tackles For Loss: Artuz Manning, 4.5
Sacks: Anthony Del Toro, 2.5
Interceptions: Chris Seisay, 2; Tyler Foreman, 2
Pass Breakups: Chris Seisay, 8; Artuz Manning, 5; Tyler Foreman, 5
Fumble Recoveries: three tied with 1
Forced Fumbles: six tied with 1
Blocked Kicks: two tied with 1
 
GET ON THE BUS: THE AMERICANA TOUR
Portland State Football Coach Bruce Barnum is renowned for taking his team on the bus to as many road games as possible. He calls it "The Americana Tour." It has made for some long bus rides, but Barnum often lets his team out to see the sights. He also feels it promotes team unity (and saves a few dollars in the budget). In the past two years, PSU has logged 9,300 bus miles.
     
Alas, this season's bus trips will be limited to just three, with drives to Oregon State, Idaho State and Eastern Washington.
 
• Coach Barnum led his first "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.
• The 2016 Americana Tour included round trips to San Jose, Seattle and Sacramento (twice). There was also a return bus ride from Ogden, UT and a shorter trip from Las Vegas to Cedar City... the trip to San Jose was a total of 1,340 miles. It included a stop off at Oregon Wildlife Safari and the obligatory In-and-Out Burger visitation in Medford... on the trip to Southern Utah, PSU flew into Las Vegas, took in the Criss Angel Show at the Luxor Hotel and made another midnight In-and-Out run... while traveling to Weber State, PSU visited Temple Square and the Hogle Zoo... after a pair round trips to Sacramento (UC Davis and Sacramento State), PSU had accumulated 4,906 bus miles for the season.