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Game 9
PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (5-3, 3-1) at NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS (3-4, 1-2)
Saturday, Oct. 26, 4 p.m. • JL Walkup Skydome (10,000), Flagstaff, AZ
TELEVISION: CW-Phoenix
LIVE VIDEO: Pluto TV Channel 539, www.pluto.tv, www.WatchBigSky.com
LIVE AUDIO: www.GoViks.com/watch • Pregame Show: 3:30 p.m. • Play-by-play: Matt Richert • Analyst: Mike Lund
LIVE STATS: www.ViksLive.com
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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ON A HOT STREAK, VIKINGS HEAD TO NAU's HOUSE OF HORRORS
Portland State football carries a hot streak into the pre-Hallowe'en weekend as the Vikings travel to Northern Arizona for a Big Sky Conference football game. The JL Walkup Skydome has been a house of horrors for PSU football over the years. One would have to go back to 2006 to find a PSU win in Flagstaff - one of only two all-time. However, Portland State heads to NAU having won three in a row and currently in third place in the Big Sky at 3-1. The Lumberjacks are 1-2 in league play, but a perfect 3-0 in the Skydome.
     
PSU's trip to Northern Arizona is just the first in SEVEN years, as the 13-team Big Sky Conference has caused significant fluctuation in annual opponents. That 2012 game was a 24-10 loss to the 'Jacks. The Vikings have hosted NAU twice since, in 2014 and 2017, both of which were PSU losses as well. Northern Arizona has won three in a row and seven of the last eight meetings with the Vikings, dating back to the 2006 PSU win in Flagstaff.  
     
Despite recent history with NAU, Portland State will travel with confidence this week. The Vikings have won three straight games. Last Saturday, PSU took a 38-30 victory at Northern Colorado, improving its overall record to 5-3. That marks the first time since 2015 that the Vikings have been two games over .500 and already eclipses last year's win total (4-7).
     
PSU is unranked, but this week received 21 voting points in the AFCA Coaches Poll, essentially placing it 30th among all teams. In the STATS FCS Media Poll, the Vikings received 23 voting points to place 42nd among all teams.
     
Northern Arizona (3-4/1-2) provides a formidable challenge for the Vikings this week. The Lumberjacks are perfect at home (3-0) and feature one of the nation's top quarterbacks in Case Cookus. He averages 345 passing yards per game, ranking second in the nation, and has already thrown 22 touchdown passes.
     
Once again, the Vikings lead the Big Sky Conference in total defense (346.0) yards allowed per game. They give up 236 passing yards per game, but also lead the Big Sky with 10 interceptions this season (seven in four Big Sky games).
 
Interestingly, Portland State leads the Big Sky in time of possession (34:15) while NAU ranks last (26:55). Employing the Vikings' running game to appears vital to success for PSU against a relatively weak run defense for the Lumberjacks (last in the Big Sky).
     
This week's game at Northern Arizona kicks off at 4 p.m. The game is televised on the CW in the Phoenix area and Pluto TV Channel 539. Portland State live audio of the game can be found at www.GoViks.com/Watch. Live stats are available at www.GoViks.com.
 
THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. LUMBERJACKS
All-Time Series: NAU leads 17-5 • NAU leads 9-3 in Portland • NAU leads 8-2 in Flagstaff
Big Sky Conference Series: NAU leads 14-5 • NAU leads 7-3 in Portland • NAU leads 7-2 in Flagstaff
 
LAST MEETING, Oct. 14, 2017: Northern Arizona 42, Portland State 20
24th-ranked Northern Arizona took advantage of two Viking turnovers in the third quarter on the way to a 42-20 victory. PSU trailed only 14-13 midway through the third and had gotten a key defensive stop taking possession. But quarterback Josh Kraght was picked off on the next play by NAU cornerback Maurice Davison, who returned it for a touchdown. A few moments later another interception led to another score. Soon the Lumberjacks had scored four touchdowns in a row and had the game under control.
     
NAU quarterback Case Cookus completed 23-39 passes for 347 yards and four scores. Elijah Marks caught six passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. NAU had 484 yards of total offense.
     
The Vikings totaled an impressive 457 yards, including 305 yards rushing. Running back Za'Quan Summers had 10 carries for 104 yards before going down with an injury.
 
SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS
Northern Arizona is led by a new Head Coach for the first time in 20 seasons as Chris Ball has taken over in 2019. The Lumberjacks are currently 3-4 on the season, 1-2 in the Big Sky Conference. Among the four losses, all have come on the road and include Arizona of the Pac-12, and three Top-10-ranked FCS teams: Illinois State, Montana State and Weber State.
     
NAU's offense has been highly productive behind star quarterback Case Cookus. The 'Jacks average 37.1 points (4th in the Big Sky) and 471.9 yards (3rd) on offense. Despite being last in the Big Sky in rushing (97.1 per game), the passing game produces a league-best 372 yards an outing. Cookus has thrown for 2,434 yards and 22 touchdowns overall with just six interceptions.
     
The Lumberjacks wide receiving corps is impressive. Sophomore slot receiver Brandon Porter has a team-high 43 receptions for 627 yards and six touchdowns. Hendrix Johnson, a freshman, has 33 catches for 536 yards and four scores. Junior Stacy Chukwumezie has caught 27 balls for 589 yards and six TDs.
     
Special teams are a strength as well. Kicker Luis Aguilar is 11-13 on field goals, with a long of 57 yards. He leads the Big Sky in field goals and his only misses have come from 51 and 52 yards. Punter DJ Arnson averages 45.2 yards per punt to rank third.
     
On defense, the Lumberjacks have allowed 38.9 points and 479.9 yards per game, ranking 12th in the Big Sky in both categories. The 'Jacks allow a league-high 212.6 yards rushing per game.
     
Senior safety Jalen Cook leads the team with 46 tackles and four pass breakups this season. Sophomore linebacker Brooklyn Hardiman has 39 tackles and four tackles for loss.
 
QUICK SNAPS
 
VIKING EXTEND STREAK TO THREE WITH 38-30 WIN OVER BEARS
A career day by Sirgeo Hoffman led Portland State to its third straight victory as the Vikings downed Northern Colorado last Saturday in Greeley, 38-30. Hoffman rushed for 221 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries to lead a ground game of 344 yards overall. PSU had 514 yards of total offense.  Hoffman's rushing total was the most by a Viking running back in four seasons... PSU led by 17 points twice in the first half, but Northern Colorado came back to close within three before the Viking running attack was able to put the game away. And although PSU's defense gave up 497 yards, a pair of key interceptions were vital to the win... Cody Williams had an early highlight for the Vikings booting a school-record 56-yard field goal... After a 14-yard Hoffman touchdown run in the second quarter, PSU led 17-0. But the last seven minutes of the half had multiple momentum shifts with two turnovers and three touchdowns scored. Northern Colorado scored twice before halftime, both times cutting a 17-point lead to 10. In between, the Vikings produced their longest play of the season. Davis Alexander hit Emmanuel Daigbe on a 76-yard touchdown pass. By halftime there was nearly 600 yards of total offense between the teams. PSU went to halftime with a 24-14 lead... An early third quarter touchdown by Northern Colorado closed the gap to 24-21. From there, PSU turned on the lawn mower, going 69 yards on seven straight running plays. On a third-down and three from the UNC 31, Hoffman broke free over the left side and rambled in from 31 yards out. The 31-21 advantage with 5:22 to go in the third once again gave the Vikings some breathing room. PSU drove 75 yards on seven plays early in the fourth quarter. Alexander scored on a four-yard run and the Vikings felt comfortable again, leading 38-24. Still, the Bears would not go quietly. They tacked on another TD, then PSU's Kenton Bartlett blocked the extra point and PSU was up 38-30... A late drive by the Bears ended when safety Anthony Adams intercepted a deep pass at the PSU 25.
 
FLY SWATTER
SO S Anthony Adams continues to excel for the Vikings. And last week he had to do so at a new position. Adams was moved to free safety when JR S Sam Inos was unable to go due to injury. PSU's other FS, Ryan Lesch is out for the season. So, Adams took the challenge and produced, making four tackles and a late interception to essentially seal the game for the Vikings. Adams INT was his third in two weeks.
• Adams has 11 pass breakups and four interceptions this season, both of which lead the Big Sky Conference. His 15 passes defended LEADS THE NATION.
• The 11 pass breakups already ranks sixth on the Portland State all-time season list. The record for a season is 15.
• Adams has 18 career pass breakups in 19 games. He is already seventh all-time at PSU (record, 33).
• The Newberg native now has five career interceptions and six career takeaways.
 
DEFENSIVE NOTES
Although the Portland State defense didn't have quite the game at Northern Colorado to which Viking fans have grown accustomed, a pair of big plays were important to the win. FR S Greg Oliver intercepted a pass on the PSU 10-yard line late in the first half when Northern Colorado was threatening to score. He did a nifty toe-tap on the sideline to stay inbounds on the catch. Oliver, a true freshman, was making his first start of the season and now has two interceptions… With PSU leading 38-30 and 3:38 to go, the Bears were trying to make a comeback. But SO S Anthony Adams picked off a deep pass at the PSU 25-yard line ending the threat. That gave the ball back to the Vikings and they were able to run out the clock for the win… with those takeaways, PSU has a +8 turnover margin in the last six games.
• The Vikings still lead the Big Sky in total defense, allowing 346.0 yards per game, and are first in rushing defense at 109.6 yards per game. The Vikings are third in scoring defense (24.1).
• PSU has 14 takeaways this season and a +5 turnover margin. The Vikings have 45 points off turnovers while opponents have just 14... in the last six games, PSU has forced 11 turnovers and has a +8 margin.
• Portland State's defense accomplished a feat none had been able to over the past 13 seasons when it shut out Idaho, 24-0. It had been exactly 100 games since the last shutout of a Big Sky opponent (34-0 over Eastern Washington, Oct. 21, 2006 - PSU has shutouts of two lower division teams since that time in 2011 and 2015). The Vikings held Idaho to 236 total yards, had 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, four interceptions and broke up four passes. SO ROV David Joseph led the Vikings with six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
• In a win over Southern Utah on Oct. 5, PSU had a decisive four-TD stretch in the second quarter against the T-Birds. In that time, the defense limited the Thunderbirds to 10 plays, 29 yards and no first downs. In all, the defense had four three-and-outs and three forced turnovers in the game. SO DE Jake Porter made a career-high eight tackles against Southern Utah. JR LB Dylan Hanley had a career-high seven stops.
• The Vikings have held 10 of the last 17 opponents to 20 points or less. They have held four of eight opponents to 20 or less this season. Seven of the last 13 Division I opponents have scored 20 points or less.
• The Vikings have 56 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, 37 pass breakups and 14 takeaways in eight games this season.
• SR DE Shawn Richard (4.5) and SR DTs Anthony Del Toro (3), Kenton Bartlett (3) and SO DE Jake Porter (3) lead the Vikings in sacks this season.
• Among active players, SR DT Anthony Del Toro is the team leader in tackles (108), tackles for loss (17) and sacks (8).
 
ALEXANDER IS ROLLING UP THE NUMBERS
JR QB Davis Alexander continues to put up productive numbers and direct an efficient Viking offense.
• For the season, Alexander is 123-206 passing for 1,739 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.
• Alexander already has a career-high 15 touchdown passes and is completing a career-best 60% of his passes. 
• He ranks second on the team with 80 rushes for 401 yards (528 positive yards) and four touchdowns.
• Alexander is on a strong five-game run, four of which have been Viking wins. He has accounted for 1,563 total yards (312.3) and 15 TDs over those five games... he had 230 yards of total offense against UNC (170 passing, 60 rushing), passed for a TD and ran for another... Alexander had 258 yards of total offense (167 passing, career-high 91 rushing), passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third in the win over Idaho... he was brilliant against Southern Utah, compiling 314 yards of total offense and accounting for three touchdowns. He completed 18-30 passes for 234 yards and two scores, and he rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown on seven carries... He had 340 yards of total offense (296 pass, 44 rush) and accounted for two touchdowns against Idaho State... Alexander passed for 366 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Eastern Oregon. The 366 yards were the most since his freshman season. The five TDs were the most by a Viking QB since Drew Hubel had five in a win over Eastern Washington in 2008.
• In 21 career starts, Alexander is 331-588 for 4,690 yards, 31 TDs and 12 interceptions... for his career (23 games), he is 339-601-13-4,758-31TD.
• Alexander has 236 career rushes for 945 yards and 18 TDs. He has 1,283 positive rushing yards.
• In all, Alexander is responsible for 49 career TDs... he now ranks eighth all-time at Portland State in total offense 5,703 yards.
 
SURGING SIRGEO
SR RB Sirgeo Hoffman had the best running game by a Viking in four seasons when he rushed 28 times for 221 yards and two touchdowns at Northern Colorado. Obviously, it was a career high, and it continued the 215-pound back's surge in recent games.
• Hoffman has rushed 93 times for 503 yards and six touchdowns over the last five games... for the season, he leads the team with 106 rushes for 557 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns.
• Hoffman ranks eighth in the Big Sky Conference in rushing (69.6 yards per game).
• Remarkably, PSU has 33 games of individuals rushing for 200 yards in its history. Hoffman's total of 221 ranks 19th-best all-time (record 393, Ryan Fuqua, 2001).
• Hoffman had 24 carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Southern Utah... he had a 88 rushing yards and a score at Idaho State. Hoffman would have had more but a 76-yard touchdown run was wiped off the board due to an illegal formation penalty.
 
THESE RECEIVERS ARE GROWING UP
An extraordinarily young receiving corps last season has grown up a lot in one year.
• SO WR Davis Koetter has 27 career receptions (23 this season) for 551 yards and seven touchdowns. He averages 20.4 yards per catch... this season, he has 23 receptions for 430 yards and five scores... he grabbed a career-high seven passes against Eastern Oregon... Koetter went for a career-high 108 receiving yards and a TD against Southern Utah and had a key fumble recovery on the punt coverage team.
• JR WR Emmanuel Daigbe leads the team with 24 receptions for 382 yards and four TDs. He posted a career-high 114 yards at Northern Colorado, including the season's longest play - a 76-yard TD reception... in his 19-game career, Daigbe has 47 catches for 755 yards and eight TDs.
• SO WR Beau Kelly has 16 catches for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Kelly caught a career-long 61-yard touchdown at Idaho State... he also has a team-best 52-yard running play on a fly sweep and 56 return yards on six punts.
• SO WR Mataio Talalemotu missed two games with a hamstring issue. But, he still has 15 receptions for 246 yards and two TDs... Talalemotu led the Vikings with five receptions for 78 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown reception, at Boise State... for his career, he has 38 receptions for 648 yards and four TDs and two 100-yard games.
 
CHARTING CHARLIE
After missing two games with hamstring tightness, All-American tight end Charlie Taumoepeau put up his first 100-yard game of the season at Idaho State. Taumoepeau had seven receptions for 104 yards.
• In six games played Taumoepeau has 20 receptions for 239 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown at Arkansas.
• For his career, Taumoepeau now has 101 receptions for 1,641 yards (16.2) and 10 touchdowns.
• In his last 27 games played, Taumoepeau has 95 catches for 1,563 yards and nine scores.
• A consensus second team All-American last year, Taumoepeau was named preseason All-American by no less than four news outlets and is on the Walter Payton Award Watch list for the top offensive player in all of NCAA I FCS football.
 
A LOOK AT THE OFFENSE
Portland State's offense has averaged 452.1 yards and 36.2 points this season (both fifth in the Big Sky). The Vikings rank sixth in total offense and fifth in scoring offense in the Big Sky.
• Twelve different Vikings have rushed for positive yards and PSU averages 213.5 yards rushing per game (third in the Big Sky).        
• The Vikings' ball control offense possessed the pigskin for more than 34 minutes against Northern Colorado and Idaho over the past two weeks. PSU leads the Big Sky in time of possession (ranking fifth in the nation) at 34:15.
• Portland State is converting third-downs at a 44% rate, and 4th downs at a 56% rate. The Vikings are 28-33 in the redzone (24 TDs, 4 FG).
• After having six turnovers in the first two games, the Vikings have only three in the last six.
• The 52 points scored against Southern Utah were the most against a Division I opponent since a 59-42 win over 16th-ranked Montana State on Oct. 17, 2015. (PSU has scored more against lower division opponents three times since then).
• The Vikings' 70 points against Simon Fraser were the most since a 77-10 win over Idaho State in 2012. The Vikings amassed 646 yards of total offense (300 rushing/346 passing). Seven different players contributed 10 total touchdowns.
• Six different players had positive rushing yards and 10 made receptions in the win over Eastern Oregon. The Vikings totaled a season-high 657 yards.
 
KICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
SO K Cody Williams has done it again. He inked his name in the Viking record book at Northern Colorado when he booted a school-best 56-yard field goal. He even got a shot at 55-yarder, but that one missed. He is now 8-13 on field goals this season.
• For his career, Williams is 19-27 on field goals, 71-71 on extra points... the PSU record for consecutive PATs is 77... Williams already ranks 11th all-time with 19 field goals.
• Williams' kicked a 50-yarder and a 47-yarder at Arkansas to open the season.
• His previous long was a 52-yard game-winner at Montana in 2018 with four seconds left in the game (22-20).
• Williams has three of the 16 50+ yard field goals in school history. Only Zach Brown has kicked more than Williams (five over four seasons).
 
VERY SPECIAL TEAMS
Portland State special teams are performing well in 2019. Some notes:
• JR P Seth Vernon, in his first season as a Viking, is averaging 42.9 yards with five in excess of 50 yards. Vernon's average is the best by a Viking since 2014 when All-American Kyle Loomis averaged 46.0... Vernon ranks fifth in the Big Sky Conference and 18th in the nation.
• The Vikings are 8-13 on field goals and 38-38 on extra points this season.
• BLOCK PARTY: Portland State has three blocked kicks this season. SR DT Kenton Bartlett knocked down an extra point at Northern Colorado... SR CB Montre Brown blocked a field goal at Idaho State... SO S Anthony Adams blocked a field goal against Simon Fraser... PSU had five blocked kicks/punts last season.
• The Vikings have recovered one opponent fumble on punt returns (Davis Koetter).