Complete preseason notes in pdf

The task of rebuilding begins for Portland State football when camp opens on August 6 at Stott Community Field. The challenge is great but the Vikings have done it before. Less than three years removed from an NCAA Playoff appearance, fourth-year Head Coach Bruce Barnum has already turned the program around once in his tenure.
     
A team that was beset by injuries two seasons ago and youthful throughout the past two years due to a change in recruiting philosophy, PSU looks ahead to a 2018 season that is as challenging as ever.
     
In the meantime, a young Viking team returns 12 starters and 36 letterwinners to the program. Ultimately, when all of the newcomers are in, there should be more than 60 student-athletes who are freshmen, redshirt freshmen or sophomores. The coaching staff has addressed the youth by recruiting a handful of transfers from both the FBS and the junior college ranks, to go with a large true freshman class.
     
Three talented transfers on offense include SR RB Darian Green (Ball State), JR RB Quinton Baker (Western Kentucky) and JR WR Isaiah Woods (Washington). The offensive line, which lost four seniors last season, has added four junior college transfers to compete for starting roles with the returning group (Spencer Reed, Carlos Barazza, Babak Ghadaksaz and Alex Rockwell).
     
Returning talent includes preseason All-American tight end Charlie Taumoepeau. The junior had 45 receptions last season for 673 yards and three touchdowns. He leads a deep, experienced group at tight end that should have a big impact on offense.
     
Defensively, top tackler and SR LB Kasun Jackett (91 tackles) is back, as is SR S Artuz Manning (57 tackles, 6 PBUs, 1 INT) and a solid interior defensive line.
     
The quarterback position will once again provide intrigue as there is no defined starter going into preseason camp. SOs Jalani Eason (five starts, 1,025 yards total offense, 10 TDs in 2017) and Davis Alexander (three starts, 1,353 yards total offense, 7 TDs) will battle it out with SO newcomer Danny Velasquez (2,770 yards total offense, 29 TDs at Modesto JC as a freshman) and potentially RS FR Davis Koetter.
     
Changes on the sideline should be impactful in 2018. Barnum brought in new defensive coordinator Payam Saadat to improve a defense that ranked last in the Big Sky Conference in points allowed and yards allowed. Saadat, a veteran defensive coach and coordinator, will adjust the Vikings to a flex style. Offensively, Barnum returns to full-time play-calling - a role in which he has had great success for some 15 seasons, including 2010-15 at PSU.
     
Portland State will open its season in August for the second year in a row. The Vikings travel to Nevada for an Aug. 31 game against the Wolfpack of the Mountain West Conference. It marks PSU's first game against Nevada since 1976.
 
PRESEASON PRACTICE SCHEDULE
The opening practice on Aug. 6 will be a brief evening workout (7:30 p.m.) at Stott Community Field, followed by the program's normal morning practices the rest of the way. After day one, PSU will have a standardized schedule throughout fall camp, with practices from 7:30-10 a.m. daily except for Sundays. Scrimmages will occur on Aug. 14 and 18 during the regular practice time.
     
All practices are open to the media and the public. Practice times are subject to change.
 
2018 PORTLAND STATE PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Mon, Aug. 6        7:30 p.m.
Tues, Aug. 7       7:30-10 a.m.
Wed, Aug. 8       7:30-10 a.m.
Thurs, Aug. 9      7:30-10 a.m.
Fri, Aug. 10        7:30-10 a.m.
Sat, Aug. 11       7:30-10 a.m.
Sun, Aug. 12       Off Day
Mon, Aug. 13      7:30-10 a.m.
Tues, Aug. 14     7:30-10 a.m. (Scrimmage)
Wed, Aug. 15      7:30-10 a.m.
Thurs, Aug. 16    7:30-10 a.m.
Fri, Aug. 17        7:30-10 a.m.
Sat, Aug. 18       7:30-10 a.m. (Scrimmage)
Sun, Aug. 19       Off Day
Mon, Aug. 20      7:30-10 a.m.
Tues, Aug. 21     7:30-10 a.m.
Wed. Aug. 22      7:30-10 a.m.
All practices at Stott Community Field on the PSU campus

PORTLAND STATE'S 2018 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 31, at Nevada, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8, at Oregon (Pac-12), 11 a.m.
Sept. 15, COLLEGE OF IDAHO, 2:05 p.m. (Hillsboro Stadium)
Sept. 22, MONTANA STATE*, 2:05 p.m. (Hillsboro Stadium)
Sept. 29, at Idaho*, TBA
Oct. 6, at Montana*, 1 p.m. PT
Oct. 13, NORTHERN COLORADO*, 2:05 p.m. (Providence Park)
Oct. 27, at Sacramento State*, 6 p.m.
Nov. 3, IDAHO STATE* (Eleven), 2;05 p.m. (Hillsboro Stadium)
Nov. 10, at North Dakota*, Noon PT
Nov. 16, EASTERN WASHINGTON*, 7:05 p.m. (Hillsboro Stadium)
* Big Sky Conference game
All times listed are Pacific radio air time
Games air on Rip City Radio 620 AM, ripcityradio.com
Live stream at WatchBigSky.com and Pluto TV Channel 232
( ) TV games (other games TBA)

2018 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE ONLINE

SEASON PREVIEW
 
SEEKING STARTERS ON THE OFFENSIVE LINE
      PSU returns only one full-time starter on the offensive line from 2017; SO RG Korbin Sorensen (6-6, 305). However, two players return with starts. SR OT Josh Brown (6-5, 300) started the last five games of last season, while SR C Garrett Stauffer (6-4, 295) has started five games at center, but missed all but one game of last season due to injury.
      Traditionally a position that has rolled over two or three players a season, the offensive line has always been a strength of the team. However, there were four seniors on the line last year. That necessitated bringing in four junior college transfers at the position to compete for starting roles in 2018.
      "Offensive line has been a bright spot offensively as long as I have been here, and still is. We appear to be more lean and athletic than in the past. That will be fun to watch," said Bruce Barnum. "But we needed to add some depth going into this year."
      Among the transfers are OLs Spencer Reed (6-3, 270, Moorpark JC), Babak Ghadaksaz (6-2, 290, Saddleback CC), Alex Rockwell (6-3, 260, College of the Canyons) and Carlos Barazza (6-3, 300, Sierra JC).
      "We lost five players (from the offensive line) so we had to even the position out class-wise. We may yet bring in another at camp," said Barnum, referring to his transfers.
      Other returning players expected to compete for starting roles are SR OT Peter Fisherkeller (6-5, 275, 20 games experience), SO OL Tommy Laverde (6-5, 290) and RS FR OLs Tyson Pauling (6-5, 310) and Brady Brick (6-5, 285).
      "Two of the redshirt freshman - Brady Brick and Tyson Pauling - what they have done with their bodies and with their skills in the off-season, I think they are going to fit right into the mix," Barnum said.
      Portland State also signed high schoolers Shiloh Ta'ase (6-3, 275) and John Schulte (6-6, 235), who are likely a year away from competing.
 
YOUTH BEHIND CENTER
      A pair of sophomores with starting experience return at quarterback in Jalani Eason (5-11, 185, 5 starts) and Davis Alexander (5-11, 195, 3 starts). Eason opened the 2018 season starting as a true freshman. He was a more run-oriented quarterback (222 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 69-141-6-803-6TD passing), while Alexander started late in the season and showcased a big arm (90-157-3-1,233-5TD).
      Portland State signed another sophomore quarterback, Danny Velasquez (6-1, 185) out of Modesto Junior College. Velasquez brings the run-pass combination at QB that has been the trademark for the Vikings during the Bruce Barnum era. Last season at Modesto, he passed for 1,960 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, while running for 810 yards and 10 TDs on 125 carries. Velasquez was named All-Big 8 Conference first team.
      "He reminds me of (former Viking quarterback) Connor Kavanaugh but he's a little bigger," said Barnum of Velasquez. "Danny is really athletic and is a perfect fit for our system."
      Those three should have a heated competition for the starting quarterback job in 2018 but that's not all. RS FR Davis Koetter (6-2, 195) would also like a say in the competition as he comes off a redshirt season. Koetter is also being considered to play some receiver in the coming season.
      "Quarterback needs competition (in fall camp) and it is there with the group of guys we have. Davis Koetter is taking on a dual role because we need to have him out there with his leadership and athletic ability."
 
CROWDED BACKFIELD
      Portland State returns five players at running back spread evenly over the classes. Sophomore Jason Talley (6-2, 230) led a "by committee" backfield last year with 97 carries for 388 yards and six touchdowns. He will be challenged by junior Carlos Martin (5-11, 200, 34-112-1) and sophomore Antwone Williams (5-8, 170, 19-59-0). Junior Chase Morrison (5-10, 205, 6-19-1) is also back while RS FR Bishop Mitchell (5-9, 180) will move over to receiver.
      Adding intrigue to the playing time battle are a pair of proven FBS transfers that joined the program over the summer. Darian Green, (SR, 5-9, 190) and Quinton Baker (JR, 5-8, 185) have quality experience. Green played in 32 games at Ball State, rushing for over 1,000 yards. He led the team in rushing in 2015 with 730 yards and five touchdowns while starting every game. Baker played two seasons at Western Kentucky, gaining 775 yards on 164 carries with five TDs. He made the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2016.
      "With Quinton and Darian added to that mix, they should really make a difference for us. We wanted at least one and were lucky to get both," said Barnum.
      "They were dynamic where they came from at the FBS level and I hope that translates to here. It will affect our running back position because we will move some guys around now. You are always looking for "wow" at that position and those guys have it."
 
RECEIVERS: EXPERIENCED AND.... NOT SO MUCH
      Perhaps the deepest and most talented position on the team is at tight end where the Vikings return five letterwinners and a redshirt.
      Junior Charlie Taumoepeau (6-3, 240) was a starter at tight end, putting up big numbers in 2017 with 45 receptions for 673 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 15.0 yards per catch and had the most receptions by a tight end at PSU since Viking Hall of Famer Barry Naone's 48 catches in 1988. Taumoepeau has been as a first team Preseason All-American at tight end. He was second team All-Big Sky Conference last year, and preseason All-Big Sky this year.
      Senior Cole Ford (6-4, 245), junior Cameron Loos (6-2, 235) and sophomores Daniel Giannosa (6-8, 260) and AJ Ruffin (6-5, 250) have all played significant snaps.
      Head Coach Bruce Barnum plans to adjust some of the offensive scheme to take better advantage of his group of tight ends.
      "I see tight end being one of our strengths in both the run game and the pass game. That group will be on the field together a lot. It will be tough to personnel against them," he said.
      On the outside the Vikings have a host of young players but not a lot of experience at wide receiver. Of the eight returners on the roster, five are redshirt freshmen, three are sophomores, and only SO Easton Trakel (5-9, 180) has caught a pass, with two receptions.
      "The young guys are very talented, they just don't have the experience. It is time for them to go. They are done with their redshirt year," Barnum said of the group joining Trakel. "The personality there is outstanding, and they are a group of winners. George McCorley, (6-3, 200) will be on the outside and he can cut and jump. Mataio Talalemotu (6-1, 180) can play inside and outside. Beau Kelly, (5-9, 165) is an inside scatterbug. I just need to make sure in the weight room they get durable enough to last the season."
      The Vikings signed JR Isaiah Woods (6-1, 210), a talented wide receiver formerly from the University of Washington, to help remedy some of the inexperience. As a freshmen in 2015, Woods played in 13 games for the Huskies, making 13 receptions. His athleticism will be a great add to the receiving corps.
      "We brought in Isaiah Woods for a reason," Barnum said. "He is seasoned and experienced at a high level. So we hope he steps in and has an impact. That is why you take transfers so they can step in and compete right away. "
      Two other NLI signees, Emmanuel Daigbe (SO, 6-1, 200) and Jacob Bystry (JR, 6-0, 180), have increased the receiving group's size and depth. Bystry, a transfer from Citrus JC, lends experience to the group as well.
      Nathan Hawthorne (SO, 5-9, 185), Stephen Marcille (SO, 5-10, 165), and Keondre Menefee (JR, 6-0, 180) are young players looking for an opportunity. RS FR Bishop Mitchell (5-9, 180) joins the mix as well after moving over from running back.
 
LOTS OF GUYS UP FRONT, BUT WHERE WILL THEY PLAY?
      Nine players return on the defensive line, six with playing experience. One thing that can be counted on is JRs Kenton Bartlett (6-3, 275) and Anthony Del Toro (6-2, 295) and SO Semise Kofe (6-1, 310) will all play inside. After that, the other three returning letterwinners, SRs Larry Ross (6-3, 240) and Dallas House (6-2, 270) and SO Noah Yunker (6-4, 250) have all played on the edge and with their hand on the ground.
      Ross, Bartlett and Del Toro are all returning starters, while House has played in 22 career games with five starts. That gives the Vikings a solid level of experience with which to begin.
      Redshirts SO Cody Brown (6-3, 230) and FR Jake Porter (6-4, 245) and Boogie Davis (6-3, 250) are all defensive ends looking for a chance to break through. Davis may also see time on the interior.
      "I have a lot of confidence in the interior - the inside - of our defensive line. Del Toro, Bartlett, Semise are all in shape - strong and fast," Barnum said. "What we are addressing there is edge rushers. I wasn't happy with our edge rushers (last season). That has been one of our focuses of the off-season - finding guys on the edge that can rush the passer. That could be a guy you see there now, it could be a linebacker, it could be a newcomer."
      Along those lines, the Vikings have brought in two new ends in JR Shawn Richard (6-2, 235, El Camino JC) and FR James Thomas (6-2, 235). FR DT Alex Sanchez (6-1, 260) is also a newcomer to the defensive line.
 
IT IS PRONOUNCED juh-KETT, NOT JACK-et
      SR LB Kasun Jackett (6-2, 225) is the man in the middle for the Vikings at linebacker. While he led the team with 91 tackles last season, new defensive coordinator Payam Saadat is looking for Jackett to step up and be more of a difference-maker in 2018. Jackett has the size and athleticism to get the job done, and could be the key to a more opportunistic group this season (PSU had only seven sacks and 12 forced turnovers in 2017).
      Joining Jackett is a fairly experienced group at linebacker. SOs Nicolas Ah Sam (6-0, 205), Dylan Hanley (6-2, 225) and Steffen Jacobsen (6-2, 210) all came into the program with high expectations for their contributions. Now with a year behind them, their progress will be vital to the team.
      SR Sam Bodine (6-2, 240) is the most experienced player in the middle of the defense with 22 games and 12 starts on his resume.
      Another key to the linebacker group is RS JR Houston Barnes (6-0, 200). Expect Barnes to compete with Jackett at the middle linebacker position or possibly elsewhere in the second level.
      "That position has become even more a question of speed (in the new defense)," said Barnum. "I am glad we have some guys that can run there. We have worked on that in the off-season, making sure we have the speed there we need."
 
CROWDED BACKFIELD PART II
      Portland State has 18 players listed as defensive backs and at the rover position - a kind of safety-linebacker hybrid role - however only six have playing experience.
      SR S Artuz Manning (5-11, 185) is the most experienced player on the defense with 30 career games and 21 starts. In nine games last year, he had 57 tackles, four tackles for loss, six pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. The coaching staff is hoping for even more production in his final season, as well as leadership on the field.
      Another SR S, Braxton Winterton (6-3, 215), and JR CBs Maxwell Howell (6-1, 190) and Montre Brown (6-1, 185) will be counted on to step up as well. Those three have all lettered for the Vikings with Winterton and Howell getting starts.
      There are five redshirts back providing a lot of depth, but who remain untested. FR Anthony Adams (6-0, 175), Robert Holt (6-2, 200) and Jared Reed (6-0, 175) are part of the youth movement made by Bruce Barnum and his coaching staff two years ago.
      SO Sam Inos (5-11, 190) had a strong spring and is battling for the free safety role while coming off a redshirt season.
      Three junior transfers, Ryan Lesch (6-1, 200), Romeo Gunt (5-10, 190) and Deon Crayon (6-2, 175), enter camp this fall, and all three are expected to play.
      "I need to have the fastest backfield in the Big Sky to be successful with what we are doing," Barnum said. "We needed another corner, and think we have that with Deon Crayon, and we think Lesch is going to really help at safety. The youth that we have in the back end needs to come to fruition now. So, that will be a really competitive area this fall."
      Freshmen coming in at defensive back include Zavion Avery (CB, 6-1, 190), Dawson Carr (S, 6-4, 185) and David Joseph (S, 6-0, 195).
 
SPECIAL COMPETITION
      JR LS Riley Shackelford (6-1, 235) is back after two solid seasons in the most under-appreciated role on the team. But he is the only thing about the Viking specialist group that is set.
      SO K Graycen Kennedy (6-2, 190) returns after nine starts, but he will be challenged immediately by freshman signee Cody Williams (5-10, 180). Williams, who can also punt, may get into the conversation at that position with SO Ben Niesner (5-11, 180). Niesner saw field time late in the 2017 season.
      SO P Ward Bonnin (6-1, 195) earned a spot as a walk on during spring practice and JR P Kyle Craig (6-0, 200) is a JC transfer that also joins the competition.
 
QUICK SNAPS
 
SIDELINE CHANGES: Portland State saw changes in its coaching staff during the off-season. The most significant was the hiring of Payam Saadat as Defensive Coordinator following the release of Malik Roberson. Saadat has served as a Defensive Coordinator at Cal Poly (2006-08), Army (2009-13) and Central Washington (2014-15).
      "Payam Saadat is very knowledgeable. He is very much a player's coach. I don't know if I have ever heard him raise his voice," said Barnum. "He is a teacher that cares about kids and is very knowledgeable about the type of defense we are going to run now."
      Offensive Coordinator Steve Cooper left the Portland State program after 10 seasons to take a role with the University of Nebraska. Head Coach Bruce Barnum will resume play calling on offense, but has assigned Matt Leunen as the new Offensive Coordinator and offensive line coach.
      Fourth-year coach AC Patterson is now the tight ends coach as well as recruiting coordinator. Evan Mozzochi, also in his fourth season, will coach wide receivers and quarterbacks.
      "The offense will be different," Barnum said. "Losing Steve (Cooper) to Nebraska, I am stepping back into the (offensive) room. You are going to see a lot more like when I was a coordinator from 2010-15. That will be new to this group of guys."
      Also leaving was Offensive Line Coach Adam Kleffner to take on a role at Missouri. Linebackers Coach Hansen Sekona was named Defensive Coordinator at College of San Mateo. Defensive Line Coach David Lose moved on to his alma mater, Oregon State, to take a coaching position there.
      Former Viking safety Manoa Latu was added to the coaching staff as linebackers coach.
 
TAUMOEPEAU EARNS PRESEASON HONORS: Portland State junior tight end Charlie Taumoepeau has been 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. He had 45 receptions for 673 yards and three touchdowns on the year. It was the most receptions by a Viking tight end since PSU Hall of Famer Barry Naone had 48 in 1988.
 
SCHEDULE NOTES
• Year in and year out Portland State football has one of the most challenging Football Championship Subdivision schedules in the country, and 2018 will be no different. The Vikings open the season with a pair of FBS opponents, Nevada and Oregon, and open Big Sky Conference play against formidable Big Sky Conference opponents Montana State (home), Idaho (road) and Montana (road).
• This will be the ninth time that Portland State has played at least two FBS level programs in the same season (the Vikings played three in 2006).
• Portland State will play a lower division school this season (College of Idaho, NAIA). The Vikings are 15-0 in games against lower division opponents since moving to Division I in 1996. PSU last played a lower division school in 2016.
• This is the 72nd season of Portland State football (1947).
• PSU faces only five teams in 2018 that were on the schedule in 2017 (Montana State, Montana, Idaho State, North Dakota, Eastern Washington).
• In the Big Sky Conference's unusual 14-team format in 2018 (Idaho has just returned in football and North Dakota has departed but remains in the scheduling rotation until 2020), Portland State will face just eight of the other 13 members. The Vikings will miss Weber State, Southern Utah, Northern Arizona, UC Davis and Cal Poly in 2018. In addition, the Vikings play Sacramento State for the third straight time on the road and host Northern Colorado for the second straight time (though both instances do not occur in consecutive seasons).
 
A FAMILY AFFAIR
• RS FR S Anthony Adams is the brother of former Vikings WR Darnell Adams. Anthony is expected to be a key defensive back for the Vikings in seasons to come. Darnell finished his career in 2017 (99 receptions, 1,568 yards, 12 touchdowns).
• SR S Braxton Winterton was married in 2017 (Madeline).
• SR OL Josh Brown and SO DE Cody Brown are brothers who prepped at Sunset (Beaverton, OR) HS.
• SO OL Ryan Phillipo and FR OL Zach Phillipo are brother who prepped at Sheldon (Eugene, OR) HS.
• RS FR QB Davis Koetter is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter.
• RS 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. He is also the cousin of former Viking DL Savali Talalemotu.
• SO RB Jason Talley is the son of Wendell Talley, who played basketball at Portland State from 1978-80.
• RS FR DE Jake Porter's father, Jason, was a four-year letterwinner in baseball at Portland State (1991-94).
• SO K Graycen Kennedy is the son of Viking women's basketball coach Lynn Kennedy.
 
TIDBITS OF VIKING TRIVIA
• Portland State has 37 players on the roster from the state of Oregon, plus five others from just across the river and the Vancouver, WA area.
• After walking on at Portland State last year, JR TE Cameron Loos (New Mexico State transfer) and SO RB Jason Talley (Jesuit HS) were given scholarships prior to the start of the 2017 season.
• SO P Ben Niesner did not play high school football. He picked up punting on his own in 2016 and attended the Ray Guy Prokicker Camp, attracting collegiate attention. He ended up starting last season's finale as a true freshman.
• Portland State has six players on the roster that were formerly members of FBS programs.
• 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. Shead, a starting corner with the Seahawks in 2016, missed 2017 due to an ACL injury, but has signed with Detroit for 2018.
• Other Vikings currently on NFL rosters are LB Patrick Onwuasor (Baltimore Ravens), CB Xavier Coleman (NY Jets), LS Kameron Canaday (Pittsburgh Steelers), OL Cornelius Edison (Minnesota Vikings), OL Randin Crecelius (Baltimore Ravens) and CB Donovan Olumba (Dallas Cowboys).
• Offensive Coordinator Matt Leunen (OL/TE, 2005-09), and linebackers coach Manoa Latu (S, 2010-11) are both PSU alums who played 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.
 
ON THE AIR
      Portland State returns to the airwaves this season on Rip City Radio 620 AM. New for the Viking program will be play-by-play man Matt Richert. He replaces long-time broadcaster Tom Hewitt, who retired this past year.
      The Vikings will appear on television several times this season. The Sept. 8 game at Oregon will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network. The Nov. 3 home game against Idaho State will air on Eleven Sports.
      Other games televised that are local to the opponent include Montana State (Sept. 22), Idaho (Sept. 29) and Montana (Oct. 6), all on SWX. The Oct. 27 contest at Sacramento State will be televised by the home team on a outlet to be named. On. Nov. 10, the Vikings' game at North Dakota will be televised on the MidCo Sports Network.
      All Big Sky Conference games and Portland State home game are live streamed at www.WatchBigSky.com and on Pluto TV Channel 232.