Despite losing their final three games, the Portland State Vikings showed vast improvement in 2018, finishing the year at 4-7 overall, 3-5 in the Big Sky Conference. Here is a look at the season in review:
 

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

• Although the Vikings had a modest 4-7 record overall, it was a four-game improvement over a winless 2017 season. PSU won three straight games at midseason, marking their longest winning streak since 2015. A 22-20 victory at 14th-ranked Montana was the first over a nationally-ranked team since 2015 and a first-ever Big Sky Conference win in Missoula.
• JR TE Charlie Taumoepeau led a list of seven Vikings honored by the Big Sky Conference. Taumoepeau was named 1st team All-Big Sky after earning preseason All-Big Sky and preseason All-America honors. Named third team All-Big Sky were SR LT Josh Brown, SO RG Korbin Sorensen, FR K Cody Williams and JR DT Kenton Bartlett. SR DE Larry Ross and SO DT Semise Kofe earned honorable mention All-Big Sky.
• SO DE Noah Yunker was named CoSIDA Academic All-District. He was one of 25 Division I players from all conferences in the eight western states to earn the honor. Yunker goes to the national ballot in December. Academic All-Big Sky Conference honors will be announced in January.
• FR K Cody Williams earned Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors after kicking a 52-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to lead PSU to a 22-20 win at Montana on Oct. 6. It was Williams' third field goal of the game and gave PSU its first-ever Big Sky Conference win in Missoula.

 

Taumoepeau Leads Vikings All-Big Sky Conference Selections

Even with some bumps in the road, Portland State's Charlie Taumoepeau lived up to his billing, earning first team All-Big Sky Conference in a ballot of league coaches. The junior tight end leads PSU's All-Big Sky choices as released by the conference.
     
Taumoepeau was named Preseason All-Big Sky and Preseason All-American in July. And, when the season started, the 6-3, 240-pounder from Federal Way, WA did not disappoint. He put up 100-yard receiving games against both Nevada and Oregon, scoring two touchdowns in each game, and by game three had five TDs and led the nation in yards per catch.
     
However, an ankle injury in game five against Idaho slowed his production as Taumoepeau missed the next two contests. Even upon returning, he was still trying to get back to full speed. By the end of the season though, Taumoepeau had team highs of 28 receptions, 580 yards and five touchdowns. He ranked first in the Big Sky among tight ends in receptions per game and yards, and second in touchdowns.
     
Four Vikings were named third team All-Big Sky Conference: left tackle Josh Brown, right guard Korbin Sorensen, kicker Cody Williams and defensive tackle Kenton Bartlett.
     
Brown, a 6-5, 300-pound senior from Portland's Sunset High School, locked down the left tackle position, having started the last 16 games in a row. Sorensen, a 6-6, 305-pound sophomore from Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, WA, has been a full-time starter at right guard, and leads the team with 21 consecutive starts.
     
Williams is a true freshman from Murrieta Valley High School in Murrieta, CA. He introduced himself to the Big Sky Conference with perhaps the biggest field goal of the season. Williams kicked a 52-yarder at Montana with four seconds remaining to give the Vikings a 22-20 victory over the 14th-ranked Grizzlies. For the season, he made 11-14 field goals and all 37 extra point attempts. Williams had the third-best field goal percentage in the league (.786) and was one of just four kickers to make all of his extra points.
     
Bartlett, a junior from Boise's Centennial High School, started every game in 2018 and has 22 starts over his career. This season, he had 21 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a blocked field goal for a vastly improved Viking defense.
     
Earning honorable mention All-Big Sky were defensive tackle Semise Kofe and defensive end Larry Ross. Ross, at 6-3, 240 pounds, led the Vikings with 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks this season. The senior from De La Salle High School in southern California had 32 total tackles. Kofe, from Portland's Roosevelt High School, is a 6-1, 310-pound sophomore. He made 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a tackle for safety.
 
NOAH YUNKER NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Portland State defensive lineman Noah Yunker has been named to the 2018 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District 8 first team.
     
Yunker, from Bend's Summit High School, was a starting defensive end for the Vikings this season before being injured in game nine. The Viking sophomore made 24 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and two pass breakups through nine games.
     
Yunker is a Business: Finance major at Portland State and carries a 3.89 grade point average.  He is one of 25 student-athletes from the eight western states at the Division I level to earn the honor.The Academic All-District team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Yunker will advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Team ballot, with first- and second-team Academic All-America honorees to be announced in December.
 
WHO IS GONE, WHO IS BACK FOR 2019
Portland State had 66 players letter during the 2018 season. Twelve of those letterwinners were seniors. Potentially 54 letterwinners could return in 2019. Including redshirts and others, a total of 77 players who participated may return in 2019.
     
OL Garrett Stauffer is a senior but will appeal the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility due to missing two seasons with injury. He is likely to win that appeal and so is counted as a returner. Also, due to new NCAA legislation, any player competing in four games or less with an available redshirt year can be considered a redshirt and not lose a year of eligibility. Those players are factored in as redshirts.
     
The Vikings will return 20 starters, nine on offense, eight on defense and three on special teams. A total of 35 players who have made starts during their careers are scheduled to return in 2019.
     
A breakdown of who is going and who is staying (/ means players shared starts):
 OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (9):QB Davis Alexander, OL Korbin Sorensen, OL Tyson Pauling/Carlos Barraza, OL Garrett Stauffer, TE Charlie Taumoepeau, WR Emmanuel Daigbe, WR Mataio Talalemotu, WR Beau Kelly/Easton Trakel, RB Carlos Martin/Sirgeo Hoffman
OFFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (2): OL Josh Brown, OL Peter Fisherkeller
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING (8): DT Semise Kofe, DT Kenton Bartlett, DE Noah Yunker, ROV Romeo Gunt/Steffen Jacobsen, SS Anthony Adams, FS Ryan Lesch, CB Maxwell Howell, CB Deon Crayon<>DEFENSIVE STARTERS LOST (3): DE Larry Ross, LB Sam Bodine, LB Kasun Jackett/Houston Barnes
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS RETURNING (3): LS Riley Shackelford, K Cody Williams, P Ben Niesner
SPECIAL TEAMS STARTERS LOST (0):
OTHER LETTERWINNERS THAT RETURN (30, with career starts): RB Antwone Williams, S Sam Inos (4), WR Isaiah Woods (2), QB Jalani Eason (6), WR Davis Koetter (2), S Terrell West, S Jared Reed (1), CB Montre Brown (3), LB Nicolas Ah Sam, WR Bishop Mitchell, WR Nathan Hawthorne, RB Chase Morrison, S Robert Holt, DE Cody Brown, DE Jake Porter (2), DT Boogie Davis, LB Dylan Hanley, OL Brady Brick (1), OL Larry Brister, OL Tommy Laverde, WR George McCorley, TE Daniel Giannosa, TE Cameron Loos (1), TE AJ Ruffin (2), WR Jacob Bystry, TE Malik Thirdgill, DT Anthony Del Toro (19), DE Shawn Richard, OL Babak Ghadaksaz, OL Spencer Reed
REDSHIRTS/SQUAD MEMBERS THAT RETURN (24): QB/S Danny Velasquez, RB Quinton Baker, QB Jerad Toman, QB Dino Maldonado, WR Stephen Marcille, DE James Thomas, S David Joseph, LB Isaiah Henry, CB Benton Hoge, RB Ryon Hurley, RB Kade Coons, RB Max McDaniel, LS Gabriel Cervantes, LB Levi O'Connell, OL Shiloh Ta'ase, OL Jackson Velschow, OL Zach Phillipo, OL Ryan Phillipo, OL John Schulte, OL Alex Rockwell, DT Alex Sanchez, WR Keondre Menefee, K Ward Bonnin, TE Jackson Davis.
OTHER SENIORS LOST (6): S Braxton Winterton, CB Artuz Manning, RB Darian Green, DT Dallas House, TE Cole Ford, P Kyle Craig.
 
QUICK SNAPS
 
WINS, LOSSES, AND THE BIG SKY

• Portland State was 4-7, 2-3 at home, 2-4 on the road. The Vikings were 1-0 at Providence Park, 1-3 at Hillsboro Stadium.
• 2018 was Portland State's 26th season at the NCAA I FCS level (1978-80 (1-AA), 1996-2018). PSU is 130-159 in all games at the FCS/1-AA level.
• PSU completed its 23rd season since moving back to FCS and the Big Sky Conference (1996-2018). PSU is 111-146 in that span, 71-52 in home games, 40-94 on the road.
• As a member of the Big Sky Conference (1996-2017) PSU is 73-105 all-time in league games, 43-47 at home, 30-59 on the road.
• The Vikings have nine winning records in 23 years as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
• Bruce Barnum (2015-16, 11-21 Big Sky, 16-29 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).

 
PORTLAND STATE'S STATISTICAL LEADERS
Rushing Yards: Darian Green 470, Davis Alexander 424, Jalani Eason 362, Carlos Martin 319
Rushing Touchdowns: Davis Alexander 12, Jalani Eason 3, four tied with 2
Passing: Davis Alexander 126-238-7-1,786-11TD; Jalani Eason 21-40-0-343-3TD
Receptions: Charlie Taumoepeau 29, Mataio Talalemotu 23, Emmanuel Daigbe 23
Receiving Yards: Charlie Taumoepeau 580, Mataio Talalemotu 4-2, Emmanuel Daigbe 373
Receiving Touchdowns: Charlie Taumoepeau 5, Emmanuel Daigbe 4
Total Touchdowns: Davis Alexander 12, Charlie Taumoepeau 5, Emmanuel Daigbe 4
Scoring: Davis Alexander 72 pts (12 TD), Cody Williams 70 pts (11 FG, 37 PAT)
Field Goals: Cody Williams 11-14
Total Offense: Davis Alexander 2,210 yards (424 rushing, 1,786 passing)
All-Purpose Yards: Darian Green 706 (470 rushing, 113 receiving, 7 PR, 116 KOR)
Punting: Ben Niesner 53-2041, 38.5
Punt Returns: Beau Kelly 7-33
Kick Returns: Antwone Williams 12-242, Darian Green 6-116
Tackles: Kasun Jackett 61, Sam Bodine 61, Romeo Gunt 58, Houston Barnes 56
Tackles For Loss: Larry Ross 7.5, Sam Bodine 7.0, Romeo Gunt 6.5, Anthony Adams 6.5
Sacks: Larry Ross 5.5, Noah Yunker 3.0, Anthony Del Toro 2.5, Romeo Gunt 2.5
Interceptions: Romeo Gunt 2, Artuz Manning 2
Pass Breakups: Anthony Adams 7, Deon Crayon 4, Sam Bodine 3
Fumble Recoveries: Dallas House 2
Forced Fumbles: Nine with 1
Blocked Kicks: Six with 1
 
QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL: SO QBs Davis Alexander and Jalani Eason split time during the season, although Alexander got the majority of the snaps, starting 10 games.

• The QB combo was very effective, combining to pass for 14 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. In all, PSU passed for 2,193 yards (199.4 per game) and averaged 14.7 yards per completion (15th in the nation).
• The tandem also rushed for 786 yards on 171 carries with 15 touchdowns. Not counting sack yardage, they had 962 positive yards (87.4 yards per game).
• Alexander completed 126-238 passes for 1,786 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ranked second on the team with 424 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs - the most by a Viking since 2013 - and had one reception for 17 yards.
• In 13 career starts, Alexander is 208-382 (.544) for 2,951 yards (227.0 per game), 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions... he passed for 409 yards at Cal Poly in his starting debut in 2017.
• Eason completed 21-40 passes for 343 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 362 yards and three touchdowns... in a win over Sacramento State, Eason had touchdown runs of 82 and 47 yards, finishing with a career-high 165 yards.

 
EVEN-STEVEN... ALMOST: Viking Head Coach Bruce Barnum always expresses the desire to have a balanced offense between the run and the pass. Well, in 2018 he had it... almost. The Vikings totaled 2,137 rushing yards (194.3) and 2,193 passing yards (199.4).
 
A BIG CHANGE ON DEFENSE: Defensive Coordinator Payam Saadat's flex defense made a big impact on the Viking team as the season has progressed. 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 five of PSU's Big Sky contests it allowed 20, 20, 14, 14 and 17 points - an average of just 17 points per game - and forced 12 turnovers... the other three were losses to Montana State (43 points), Idaho State (45 points) and Eastern Washington (74).
• In eight Big Sky Conference games, the Vikings allowed 31.2 points and 397.9 yards per game. The Vikings were third in sacks (18)... the Vikings allowed 16.4 fewer points per game and 124.9 fewer yards per game in Big Sky games than they did in 2017.

 

Defensive Production	Yards Allowed	Pts Allowed	TOs Forced	TO Margin	TFLs	Sacks
2017 Big Sky Games	522.8	47.6	10	-6	32	5
2018 Big Sky Games	397.9	31.2	13	0	44	18

• 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.
• In a loss at North Dakota, the defense gave up only 222 yards (58 after halftime), 10 points (the other seven came on a pick-six) and made four sacks. The 222 yards allowed were the fewest by a Viking team in 39 games and marked the fourth opponent this season to fail to get 300 yards.

 
MORE DEFENSIVE NOTES:

• Portland State's 11 interceptions were more than the six the Vikings had in 2017... the seven fumble recoveries were more than 2017's total of six… the 21 total sacks were more than the 2017 total of seven.
• SR LB Kasun Jackett and SR LB Sam Bodine lead the team with 61 tackles each... Bodine also had seven  tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery... JR ROV Romeo Gunt made 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, forced a fumble and led the team with three takeaways (2 INTs, 1 FR)... SR DE Larry Ross had team-leading totals of 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks on the season.
• SR LBs Kasun Jackett (152) Sam Bodine (160) were Portland State's active career leaders in tackles, followed closely by SR CB Artuz Manning (137). Bodine had the most career tackles for loss (12.0). Manning had the most pass breakups (13) and interceptions (3) in his career.

 
THE COMMITTEE: Portland State's "by committee" running game shared the wealth all season.

• Six players saw plenty of action toting the pigskin and were over 200 rushing yards. Four were over 300 yards and two were over 400 yards. All six scored at least two touchdowns. They include SR RB Darian Green (109-470-2), SO QB Davis Alexander (112-424-12), SO QB Jalani Eason (59-362-3), JR RB Carlos Martin (68-319-2), JR RB Sirgeo Hoffman (80-299-2) and SO RB Antwone Williams (38-219-2).
• The Vikings had 46 rushes for 341 yards and four touchdowns against Sacramento State... they had 49 carries for 316 yards and four touchdowns against Idaho State.
• The Vikings rushed for 203 yards against Montana State after putting up 350 against College of Idaho. They had a hard-earned 179 yards in a win at Montana, followed by 192 and five TDs in a win against Northern Colorado.
• Two players had 100-yard rushing games: SO QB Jalani Eason at Sacramento State (7-165-2) and JR RB Carlos Martin vs. Idaho State (10-105-0).

 
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 was one of four kickers in the Big Sky Conference to be perfect on extra points (37-37) for the season.

• Williams went 11-14 on field goals with misses from 49, 42 and 48 yards... the 11 field goals were 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.

 
TRYING TO GET ON THE GOOD FOOT: After a hot start to the 2018 season Viking star Charlie Taumoepeau suffered an ankle injury and was shelved for two weeks. He was still a bit slow on his return, but finished the season with an eight-reception, 78-yard games against Eastern Washington... Taumoepeau was named first team All-Big Sky Conference at the conclusion of the season.

• 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 had five scores, catching 28 passes for 580 yards on the season. The 20.7 yards per catch average ranked sixth in the nation. Taumoepeau had five catches of more than 40 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 31-game career, Taumoepeau has 81 receptions for 1,402 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.
• Named second team All-Big Sky Conference in 2017 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.

 
YOUNG PUPS CHASING THAT FRISBEE: Portland State had a youthful wide receiving corps in 2018 and they appear ready for a big future

• FR Mataio Talalemotu (23-402-2), SO Emmanuel Daigbe (23-373-4) and FR Beau Kelly (10-150-0) have all been starters. SO Easton Trakel, the only returning wide receiver, was slated to start in the slot but injury limited him to four games. He had seven catches for 73 yards on the season.
• Talalemotu had his first 100-yard game with three catches for 143 yards and an 81-yard touchdown at Sacramento State.
• Against College of Idaho, FR Davis Koetter (2-105-1) had a 100-yard game. He had four grabs for 121 yards in 2018.
• JR TRs Jacob Bystry (3-44-0) and Isaiah Woods (5-47-0) are the only other WRs with receptions.
• All but Trakel were playing their first season at Portland State.

 
TURNOVER TURNAROUND: Portland State had a big deficiency in turnover margin in 2017, committing 21 turnovers while making only 12 takeaways. In 2018 the Vikings had a +3 turnover margin (18/15). That is a turnaround of +12 compared to 2017.

• The Vikings forced more turnovers than they have committed five times (4-1). Turnovers were tied twice (0-2). The Vikings committed more turnovers than their opponent four times (0-4).
• PSU has 75 points off turnovers while opponents scored 45.
• 13 different players had takeaways for the Vikings.

 
BRIGHT SPOTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS:

• FR K Cody Williams was 11-14 on field goals and 37-37 on extra points. The Viking team was 3-9 on field goals and 25-29 on PATs in 2017.
• Opponents average 18.0 yards per kick return (after averaging 20.8 in 2017).
• SO P Ben Niesner has averaged 38.5 yards per punt with a career-long of 58.
• JR LS Riley Shackelford had been spotless on all his snaps 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.
• Portland State had six blocked kicks to lead the Big Sky Conference and rank ninth in the nation... FR S Robert Holt blocked an extra point against Eastern Washington that JR CB Montre Brown returned for a two-point conversion... JR WR Jacob Bystry blocked a second-quarter punt at Sacramento State... 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.

 
YOUTH SHALL SERVE:  

• Portland State's first game two-deep included six freshmen, seven sophomores, five juniors and four seniors on offense; three freshmen, five sophomores, seven juniors and seven seniors on defense. Special teams (K, P, LS, PR, KOR) included three freshmen, six sophomores and one junior.
• The Vikings had 12 players start their first game for Portland State at Nevada: FR OL Brady Brick, JR OL Carlos Barraza, FR WR Mataio Talalemotu, SO WR Emmanuel Daigbe, SO WR Easton Trakel, SO DT Semise Kofe, SR LB Houston Barnes, FR S Jared Reed, SO S Sam Inos, FR CB Anthony Adams, JR CB Montre Brown and FR K Cody Williams. Four more players started for the first time at Oregon: SR OL Peter Fisherkeller, FR WR Beau Kelly, JR RB Sirgeo Hoffman and JR S Romeo Gunt. Against Idaho, the Vikings had first-time starters in SO ROV Steffen Jacobsen and JR FS Ryan Lesch... FR OL Tyson Pauling, SO TE AJ Ruffin and FR Davis Koetter became first-time starters at Montana.
• 29 of the 55 players that saw field time at Nevada were true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores. 26 of 52 that played at Oregon were TR FR, RS FR and SO. In all, PSU had 71 players appear in at least one game. 38 were either freshmen (20) or sophomores (18).
• Portland State featured 54 true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores on the 90-man roster. There were 24 juniors and 12 seniors.

 
2018 SEASON HIGHLIGHT REEL
 
LIVING UP TO THE HYPE: Junior tight end Charlie Taumoepeau was named a preseason All-American by several media outlets prior to the 2018 season. In two games against FBS level programs to open the year, Charlie lived up to the hype. Taumoepeau caught three passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the opener at Nevada. Included were touchdowns of 48 and 75 yards. In the game at 23rd-ranked Oregon, Taumoepeau made five catches for 125 yards and two more scores - 71 yards and four yards. He also had a 47 yard reception. After two weeks of play, he was tied for the national lead in receiving touchdowns (4), third in yards per catch (31.88) and ninth in yards per game (127.5).
 
A SPECTACULAR HOMECOMING: Portland State played its first home game since week 10 of 2017 and the result was just what it needed with a 63-14 win over College of Idaho (9/15). The victory ended a 15-game losing streak and eight-game home losing streak. PSU totaled 657 yards of offense and nine different players scored touchdowns. SO QB Davis Alexander had 250 yards of total offense and was responsible for four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) in just one half of play. The Vikings held the Coyotes to 231 yards of offense and forced four turnovers. It was the most points scored by the Vikings in 32 games, the fewest points allowed in 19 games, and fewest yards allowed in 32 games.
 
LITTLE MAN, BIG FOOT: FR K Cody Williams made a 52-yard field goal with four seconds remaining at Montana (10/6) to give the Vikings a 22-20 victory. It was his third successful kick of the game and the longest FG of Williams career - high school or college. He was named Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance.
 
STOP, IN THE NAME OF DEFENSE: Portland State's defense had perhaps its best game in three seasons in a 22-20 upset of 14th-ranked Montana. The Vikings allowed only 289 yards and 20 points. They recovered four fumbles leading to 19 PSU points. Montana punted seven times and fumbled twice in nine first-half possessions against the Vikings and did not have positive offensive yardage in the first quarter. In all, PSU's defense had six three-and-outs. The win over Montana was the first by the Vikings in Missoula in Big Sky Conference play (previously 0-9).
 
ANOTHER STAND BY THE DEFENSE: Portland State continued to rely heavily on its defense in a win over Northern Colorado. The Vikings made three interceptions, had three three-and-outs, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks in a 35-14 Homecoming win over the Bears. FR S Anthony Adams and JR CB Montre Brown made interceptions during UNC's first two drives. The Vikings offense turned both takeaways into touchdowns on drives of 99 and 17 yards and cruised to victory from there. It marked PSU's first back-to-back wins since the 2015 season. 
 
ALL-AROUND EFFORT STINGS HORNETS: Portland State had quality play on offense, defense and special teams in a wire-to-wire 41-14 victory at Sacramento State. The Vikings had 546 yards of total offense and 41 points - both being their most in a Big Sky game this season. The defense forced three turnovers and six three-and-outs against the Hornets. On special teams, the Vikings blocked a punt and added two more field goals. SO QB Jalani Eason (7 rushes, 165 yards,  2 TDs), FR WR Mataio Talalemotu (three receptions, 143 yards, 1 TD) and JR ROV Romeo Gunt (8 tackles, INT, FR) all had big games for PSU.  
 
A LOSS, BUT WHAT A SHOW: Portland State lost 48-45 to Idaho State, but put on its best offensive performance of the season against a Division I team. PSU totaled 597 yards of offense, getting 316 on the ground and 281 through the air. SO QB Davis Alexander was responsible for five touchdowns, passing for 273 yards and two scores and rushing for 64 yards and three TDs. JR RB Carlos Martin rushed for a career-high 105 yards.    
 
DEFENDING AGAIN: Portland State's defense allowed the fewest yards (222) in 39 games in a 17-10 loss to North Dakota, with only 58 coming after halftime.  The "D" allowed just 10 points with the other seven coming on a pick-six. PSU also made four sacks and an interception.