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Game 9
IDAHO STATE BENGALS (5-3, 4-1) at PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (4-4, 3-2)
Saturday, November 3, 7:05 p.m. • Hillsboro Stadium (7,200), Portland, OR

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TELEVISION: Eleven Sports • Play-by-play: Neil Harwell • Analyst: Jayice Pearson
RADIO: 103.7 FM The Legend, www.1037thelegend.com • Pregame Show: 6 p.m. • Play-by-play: Matt Richert • Analyst: Mike Lund
INTERNET: Live video stream: Pluto TV, www.pluto.tv, WatchBigSky.com • Live stats: www.ViksLive.com
Complete notes and stats in pdf
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. BENGALS
All-Time Series: Idaho State leads 25-17-1 • PSU leads 11-10 in Portland • ISU leads 15-6-1 in Pocatello
Big Sky Conference Series: PSU leads 12-10 • ISU leads 7-4 in Pocatello • PSU leads 8-3 in Portland
 
Big Sky Conference games
Nov. 16, 1996: ISU 31-12 at Portland
Nov. 15, 1997: ISU 26-24 at Pocatello
Sept. 26, 1998: ISU 43-41 at Portland
Oct. 9, 1999: PSU 52-13 at Pocatello
Oct. 14, 2000: PSU 59-21 at Portland
Oct. 13, 2001: ISU 23-17 at Pocatello
Nov. 2, 2002: PSU 27-24 at Portland
Nov. 1, 2003: ISU 30-20 at Pocatello
Nov. 6, 2004: PSU 42-21 at Portland
Nov. 5, 2005: ISU 36-34 at Pocatello
Oct. 14, 2006: PSU 34-13 at Portland
Oct. 20, 2007: ISU 38-20 at Pocatello
Oct. 25, 2008: PSU 36-13 at Portland
Nov. 14, 2009: ISU 41-34 at Pocatello
Oct. 2, 2010: PSU 38-3 at Portland
Oct. 1, 2011: PSU 42-35 at Pocatello
Oct. 6, 2012: PSU 77-10 at Portland
Nov. 9, 2013: PSU 38-31 at Pocatello
Nov. 1, 2014: ISU 31-13 at Portland
Sept. 10, 2015: PSU 34-14 at Pocatello
Oct. 1, 2016: PSU 45-20 at Portland
Oct. 21, 2017: ISU 59-30 at Pocatello
 
VIKINGS TAKE THREE-GAME STREAK UP AGAINST POWERHOUSE BENGALS OFFENSE
Behind some excellent defense in recent weeks, the Portland State Vikings are on a roll, winning their last three games. But that defense will be tested in a big way this Saturday against Idaho State, which has the sixth-most prolific offense in the nation.
     
The Vikings (4-4, 3-2) have held opponents to 16.0 points per game during that winning streak. However, the Bengals (5-3, 4-1) have averaged over 39 points per game this season. ISU's 524.5 yards per game ranks sixth-most in the country at the FCS level. The battle will be waged this Saturday night in a 7:05 p.m. game Hillsboro Stadium.
     
Portland State has to feel good about how it has played over the past month; offensively, defensively and on special teams. The youthful Viking team has shown vast improvement, and with four wins already is one of the most improved teams by record in the nation.
     
PSU won a 22-20 thriller at Montana on Oct. 6, and since then has notched a pair of comfortable victories (35-14 over Northern Colorado and 41-14 at Sacramento State). The Vikings have moved up to fifth place in the 13-team Big Sky. PSU's three-game winning streak is its best since a four-gamer in 2015. If the Vikings can make it four in a row, they would be no worse than a tie for fourth place in the Big Sky and possibly better.
     
Portland State is 2-1 at home this season, 1-1 at Hillsboro Stadium.
     
The Bengals beat Montana State at home last week after a pair of narrow road losses in their previous two games. ISU is 2-2 on the road. At 4-1 in the Big Sky Conference, Idaho State is trying to maintain pace with 5-0 UC Davis in the Big Sky standings.
     
Idaho State won last year's meeting with Portland State in Pocatello in a 59-30 contest. Prior to that game, PSU had won six of seven in the series.
     
Saturday's game is televised on Eleven Sports, which is available on selected satellite systems. There is also a live video stream on Pluto TV Channel 232 (www.pluto.tv) and WatchBigSky.com. The radio broadcast is available on 103.7 FM The Legend and www.1037TheLegend.com, with the pregame show at 6 p.m. Live stats can be found at www.ViksLive.com.
 
STORYLINES
• Portland State has compiled four of the top eight rushing games in school history against Idaho State since 2011. The Vikings went for a school-record 531 yards in 2016. They also have 437 (3rd, 2012), 436 (4th, 2011) and 395 (8th, 2013).
• Idaho State senior running back James Madison was named Preseason All-Big Sky Conference.
• Portland State Head Coach Bruce Barnum spent nine seasons at Idaho State (1998-2006), serving as offensive coordinator the last six seasons. His first recruit, and a star running back at ISU was Nick Whitworth, now Portland State's Special Teams Coordinator and running backs coach.
• The teams have met 43 times in the last 53 years.
 
LAST MEETING, Oct. 21, 2017: Idaho State 59, Portland State 30
Idaho State broke open a close game midway through the second quarter and rolled to 691 yards of total offense.
     
Quarterback Tanner Gueller threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns while Ty Flanagan rushed for 108 yards and four scores to lead the Bengals. James Madison added 160 rushing yards.
     
The Vikings got 256 passing yards from Jalani Eason, but had 11 penalties, two turnovers and allowed ISU to convert nearly 70% of its third downs.
 
SCOUTING IDAHO STATE
Idaho State has made a big leap forward in 2018 behind a slew of talented offensive players.
     
Quarterback Tanner Gueller ranks second in the Big Sky Conference in passing with 286.2 yards of offense per game and leads in total offense at 321.6 yards. He has thrown 20 touchdown passes and also rushed for 403 positive yards.
     
Gueller's favorite target is his brother, Mitch, who has 43 receptions for 947 yards and six touchdowns. Mitch ranks second in yards and fifth in total catches in the Big Sky. Michael Dean is a fine complement at wide receiver with 37 catches for 658 yards and seven touchdowns.
     
If that weren't enough, ISU can boast one of the top rushing attacks in the league as well. James Madison leads the ground game with 163 carries for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. Ty Flanagan has 101 carries for 644 yards and six TDs.
     
In all, the Bengals average 524.5 yards and 39.1 points per game.
     
On defense, Idaho State has given up 31.9 points per game. But the Bengals have forced 18 turnovers. Linebacker Kody Graves has 74 tackles to rank second in the Big Sky Conference and has also made two interceptions. Adkin Aguirre has a team-high three interceptions.
 
QUICK SNAPS
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY
• Portland State is 4-4, 2-1 at home, 2-3 on the road. The Vikings are 1-0 at Providence Park, 1-1 at Hillsboro Stadium.
• 2018 is Portland State's 26th season at the NCAA I FCS level (1978-80 (1-AA), 1996-2018). PSU is 130-156 in all games at the FCS/1-AA level.
• Now in its 23rd season since moving back to FCS and the Big Sky Conference (1996-2017), PSU is 111-143, 71-50 in home games, 40-93 on the road.
• As a member of the Big Sky Conference (1996-2017) PSU is 73-103 all-time in league games, 43-45 at home, 30-58 on the road.
• The Vikings have nine winning records in 22 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Bruce Barnum (2015-16, 11-18 Big Sky, 16-26 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).
 
QUALITY PLAY IN ALL THREE PHASES LEADS TO THIRD STRAIGHT WIN: Winning is becoming a habit for the Portland State football team as it chalked up its third victory in a row on Saturday at Sacramento State. The Vikings took control early and never let up, trouncing Sacramento State, 41-14.             
All facets of the Viking game were strong as they notched their first three-game winning streak since the playoff season of 2015. Portland State had 546 yards of total offense - its most in a Big Sky Conference game this season - forced three turnovers and six three-and-outs on defense, and blocked a punt and added two field goals on special teams.
     
The Vikings had their two biggest offensive plays of the season as well. Quarterback Davis Alexander hit wide receiver Mataio Talalemotu on an 81-yard scoring strike in the second quarter. Early in the fourth period, backup quarterback Jalani Eason did them one better, bursting through the line on an 82-yard touchdown sprint. That run put the Vikings ahead 34-7 and all but sealed the win.
 
BACK UP TO NO ONE: Portland State SO QB Jalani Eason may be listed as second on the depth chart, but he brings first-string talent to the game every week. On Saturday at Sacramento State, Eason entered the game for the Vikings' third offensive series. He led a 12-play, 91-yard touchdown drive that gave PSU a 10-0 lead. In the series he completed 2-3 passes for 25 yards and rushed twice for 17 yards. He returned to the game at the start of the fourth quarter to direct a 97-yard touchdown drive. The big play was his third-and-eight burst through the line that resulted in an 82-yard touchdown run. That put the Vikings ahead 34-7 and essentially sealed the game. Moments later, Eason added a 47-yard scoring run. For the contest, he had seven carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns… although he has started only one game at quarterback this season, Eason is the Vikings' leading rusher in a six-pronged attack on the ground. Eason has 46 carries for 337 yards and three TDs, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He is 17-32 passing for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
 
100-YARD GAMES: SO QB Jalani Eason had seven rushing plays for 165 yards and two touchdowns against Sacramento State, with touchdown runs of 82 and 47 yards. His 165 rushing yards were a career high and marked PSU's first 100-yard rushing game in 13 contests and most rushing yards in 20 games… FR WR Mataio Talalemotu had three receptions for a career-high 143 yards and a touchdown. He leads the team this season with 19 receptions and is second with 331 yards and two TDs.
 
EVEN-STEVEN... ALMOST: Viking Head Coach Bruce Barnum always expresses the desire to have a balanced offense between the run and the pass. Well, after eight games he has it... almost. The Vikings have totaled 1,566 rushing yards and 1,563 passing yards this season. And of course their record is even-Steven as well at 4-4... almost even-Steven in Big Sky play at 3-2.
 
A BIG CHANGE ON DEFENSE: Defensive Coordinator Payam Saadat's flex defense has been making a big impact on the Viking team as the season progresses. Portland State needed big improvement on that side of the ball when Head Coach Bruce Barnum brought Saadat in during the off-season. And improvement has come as a young group is maturing.
• In the last four contests PSU has allowed 20, 20, 14 and 14 points - an average of just 17 points per game - and forced 11 turnovers.
• In five Big Sky Conference games, the Vikings are allowing 22.2 points (2nd in the Big Sky) and 363.8 yards (3rd in the Big Sky) per game. The Vikings are also second in sacks (13) and turnover margin (+1.2 per game)... the Vikings are allowing 25 fewer points per game and 159 fewer yards per game in Big Sky games than they were last year.
 
Defensive Production Yards Allowed Pts Allowed     TOs Forced  TO Margin
2017 Big Sky Games (8)      522.8             47.6                      10                -6
2018 Big Sky Games (5)      363.8             22.2                      11                +6      
 
• PSU allowed 289 yards to Idaho (fewer than 100 after halftime) and 13 points on defense (the other seven came on a blocked punt return). The Vikings made eight tackles for loss, three sacks and had an interception.
• The Vikings gave up 289 to Montana (-5 in the first quarter as they jumped to a 10-0 lead) and 20 points as well. PSU has six tackles for loss, three sacks, five pass breakups and four big fumble recoveries, leading to 19 points. The defense also recorded six three-and-outs... moreover, Montana QB Dalton Sneed went into the game averaging 334 yards of total offense per game to lead the Big Sky. The Vikings held him to 159 yards.
• PSU had three more turnovers forced, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks against Northern Colorado, allowing 367 total yards. Of UNC's 10 possessions, there were three turnovers, three three-and-outs, and two fourth-down stops.
• At Sacramento State, the Viking defense forced three more turnovers and had six three-and-outs.
 
FEELING 14 AGAIN: Against College of Idaho, Portland State had its best defensive performance by score (14 points allowed) in two seasons (19 games)... the 14 points allowed to Northern Colorado were the fewest by a Big Sky opponent since Weber State scored 14 against the Vikings in 2016 (18 games)... the Vikings then allowed just 14 points to Sacramento State the following game.
 
DEFENSIVE NOTES:
• Portland State's nine interceptions this season are more than the six the Vikings had all of last season... the seven fumble recoveries are more than last year's total of six… the 16 total sacks are more than last year's 11-game total of seven.
• JR ROV Romeo Gunt had an interception and a fumble recovery to go with eight tackles at Sacramento State... JR FS Ryan Lesch had the Vikings' other interception to go with five tackles... SR LB Houston Barnes made seven tackles and forced a fumble.
• SR LB Kasun Jackett leads the team with 51 tackles this season... JR ROV Romeo Gunt is the team leader with 6.5 tackles for loss, three takeaways and two interceptions (SR CB Artuz Manning also has two interceptions)... SO DE Noah Yunker and SR DE Larry Ross lead the team with three sacks each.
• SR LB Kasun Jackett (142) and SR LB Sam Bodine (143) are Portland State's active career leaders in tackles, followed closely by SR CB Artuz Manning (131). Bodine also has the most career tackles for loss (11.5). Manning has the most pass breakups (13) and interceptions (3) in his career.
 
FRESHMAN FOOTWORK: FR K Cody Williams went 3-3 on field goals at Montana including a 52-yarder with four seconds left to win the game, 22-20... Williams is one of six kickers in the Big Sky Conference to be perfect on extra points (27-27) and he has made the most without a miss.
• Williams is now 9-11 on field goals with misses from 49 and 42 yards... the nine field goals are the most by a Viking since 2015 (Jonathan Gonzales, 13).
• For his performance at Montana, Williams was named the STATS FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week and the Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week
• Williams was 3-3 on field goals against Montana State. He was the first Viking kicker to make three in one game since Jonathan Gonzales did so in 2016 (17 games ago). His three field goals also matched PSU's season total from last year.
• Williams' 52-yard field goal was the longest by a Viking since Jonathan Gonzales made a 53-yarder in 2014. It was the 14th 50+ yard field goal in Portland State school history and ranks in a tie for sixth longest made. The record is 55 yards by Pat Moore in 1975.
 
QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL: SO QBs Davis Alexander (199 yards total offense) and Jalani Eason (190 yards total offense) again split duty and were big contributors in the win at Sacramento State. Alexander threw one touchdown pass while Eason ran for two scores.
• The QB combo has been very effective this season, combining to pass for 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions in eight games. In all, PSU has passed for 1,563 yards (195.8 per game) and averages 16.8 yards per completion (6th-best in the nation).
• The tandem has also rushed for 598 yards on 109 carries with 10 touchdowns. Not counting sack yardage, they have 691 positive yards (86.4 yards per game).
• Alexander has completed 74-144 passes for 1,182 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has seven rushing TDs, and has one reception for 17 yards.
• In 10 career starts, Alexander is 156-288 (.542) for 2,347 yards (234.7 per game), 12 touchdowns and five interceptions... he passed for 409 yards at Cal Poly last season in his starting debut.
• This season, Eason has completed 17-32 passes for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also rushed for a team-high 337 yards and three touchdowns.
 
BACK ON THE GOOD FOOT: Portland State finally got its most most dangerous offensive weapon, Viking star Charlie Taumoepeau, back on the field after missing two games with an ankle sprain. He made two receptions for 31 yards against the Hornets.
• The JR TE was a Preseason All-American and All-Big Sky Conference selection and came out of the gates red-hot this season. He posted a pair of 100-yard games against Oregon and Nevada, scoring four touchdowns, two of which were 70+ yards. He saw limited time against College of Idaho, but still racked up a 71-yard TD catch. It marked the third straight game he caught a 70+yard TD.
• Touchdown Charlie has five scores. He has caught 17 passes for 451 yards. The 26.5 yards per catch average ranks first in the nation. Taumoepeau has five catches of more than 40 yards, and remarkably, one of minus-3 yards.
• Taumoepeau scored on a 48-yard touchdown reception in the Vikings' first series at Nevada, then had a 75-yard TD scamper in the second quarter (3-130-2 total). Each time he broke at least two tackles then outraced the Wolfpack to the endzone.
• Charlie had a 71-yard TD, a 47-yard reception and a four-yard TD among five catches at Oregon (5-125-2).
• In his 28-game career, Taumoepeau has 70 receptions for 1,273 yards and nine touchdowns.
• He has three career 100-yard games: Career highs of nine receptions for 145 yards and a TD in last year's season finale at Eastern Washington; 3-130-2 to open the season at Nevada, then 5-125-2 against the Ducks. That means 21 receptions, 521 yards and six TDs in his last five games with a 24.8 average per catch.
• Named second team All-Big Sky Conference last season with 45 receptions for 673 yards and 3 TDs. It was the most receptions by a Viking tight end since PSU Hall of Famer Barry Naone had 48 in 1988.
• Named to the STATS Preseason 1st team All-America list, as well as preseason All-Big Sky Conference. Taumoepeau was a second-team All-Big Sky Conference performer last season. Phil Steele and College Sports Madness each named Taumoepeau second team All-American and second team All-Big Sky behind Wes Preece of UC Davis on both teams.
 
MORE GOOD WORK BY THE COMMITTEE: Portland State's "by committee" running game continues to share the wealth. This past week, SO QB Jalani Eason was the star with seven carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns. The Vikings had 46 rushes for 341 yards and four touchdowns against Sacramento State.
• SR RB Darian Green added 12 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown and JR RB Sirgeo Hoffman made five carries for 41 yards and a score at Sacramento State.
• Six players have seen plenty of action toting the pigskin this season. Four players have more than 200 yards and two other have over 100 yards:  They include Eason (46-337-3), Hoffman (80-299-2), Green (66-286-2), SO QB Davis Alexander (63-261-7), JR RB Carlos Martin (54-181-2) and SO RB Antwone Williams (32-156-1).
• The Vikings rushed for 203 yards against Montana State after putting up 350 against College of Idaho. They had a hard-earned 179 yards at Montana, followed by 192 and five TDs against Northern Colorado... PSU had 341 yards and four TDs against Sacramento State... the Vikings average 195.8 rushing yards per game.
 
YOUNG PUPS CHASING THAT FRISBEE: Portland State has a youthful wide receiving corps. Through eight games, they have started to emerge.
• FR Mataio Talalemotu (19-331-2), SO Emmanuel Daigbe (13-221-1) and FR Beau Kelly (10-150-0) have all been starters. SO Easton Trakel, the only returning wide receiver, has two receptions but has only played in two games due to injury.
• Against College of Idaho, FR Davis Koetter (2-105-1) had a 100-yard game.
• Talalemotu had his first 100-yard game with three catches for 143 yards and an 81-yard touchdown at Sacramento State.
• All but Trakel are playing their first season at Portland State.
 
TURNOVER TURNAROUND: Portland State had a big deficiency in turnover margin last season, committing 21 turnovers while making only 12 takeaways. This season the Vikings have a +9 turnover margin (16/7). After averaging 1.9 turnovers per game last year, they are averaging 0.9 this season.
• PSU has 75 points off turnovers while opponents have scored 19.
• 11 different players have takeaways for the Vikings.
 
THIRD-DOWN THEORY: Success or lack of it on third down is proving to be a defining statistic for the Vikings this season.
• In two losses to FBS opponents at the start of the season, PSU converted only 7-33 third-down tries (21%) and allowed 11-20 conversions (55%) to their FBS opponents in those games.
• Those numbers took a dramatic turn in a win against College of Idaho as PSU was 7-11 on third (64%) and held C of I to 5-14 (36%).
• PSU was 8-16 against Montana State (50%), but allowed 6-11 conversions (55%).
• A 3-12 (25%) third-down tally against Idaho was a big factor in a sluggish performance by the offense. The Vandals were 6-16 (38%), but converted all three fourth downs.
• PSU was a very respectable 9-20 on third down at Montana (and 1-1 on fourth) while holding the Grizzlies to just 2-12 conversions.. The result of course was a win.
• For the season, the Vikings are 44-115 (38%) on third down, while opponents are 41-102 (40%).
 
BRIGHT SPOTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS:
• FR K Cody Williams is 9-11 on field goals and 27-27 on extra points. The Viking team was 3-9 on field goals and 25-29 on PATs last year.
• Opponents average 15.4 yards per kick return (after averaging 20.8 last season), which is sixth in the nation.
• SO P Ben Niesner has averaged 38.6 yards per punt with a career-long of 56 and has twice backed his opponents up to the one-yard line.
• JR LS Riley Shackelford had been spotless on all his snaps this season. But a knee injury at Idaho ended his year. SO TE/LS Daniel Giannosa stepped into the role at Montana and was solid on every snap including the game-winning field goal by FR K Cody Williams.
• JR WR Jacob Bystry blocked a second-quarter punt by Sacramento State marking the fifth blocked kick by a Viking this season (sixth in the nation). Last year the Vikings blocked two kicks... SR LB Houston Barnes blocked a punt at Montana leading to an eventual field goal for the Vikings... JR DT Anthony Del Toro blocked an extra point and JR DT Kenton Bartlett blocked a field goal attempt at Nevada, while FR DE Jake Porter got a blocked extra point at Oregon.