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GAME 3
PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (1-1) vs. #22 BOISE STATE BRONCOS (2-0)
Saturday, Sept. 14, 8:15 p.m. MT/7:15 p.m. PT • Albertsons Stadium (36,387), Boise, ID
TELEVISION: ESPN2 • Play-by-play: Mike Couzens • Analyst: Kirk Morrison
LIVE AUDIO: www.GoViks.com • Pregame Show: 6:45 p.m. PT • Play-by-play: Matt Richert • Analyst: Mike Lund
LIVE STATS: www.ViksLive.com
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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THE SERIES RECORD: VIKINGS vs. BRONCOS: Boise State leads 6-1 • Boise State leads in Boise, 5-1 • Boise State leads in Portland 1-0
 
1972: BSU 33-7 at Portland
1973: BSU 64-7 at Boise
1992: PSU 51-26 at Boise
1995: BSU 49-14 at Boise
1996: BSU 33-22 at Boise
1998: BSU 42-24 at Boise
2005: BSU 21-14 at Boise

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GAME WEEK ACTIVITIES
BRUCE BARNUM ON THE RADIO AND TV: Viking football Coach Bruce Barnum can be heard and seen every Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. on Rip City Radio 620 AM and NBC Sports Northwest on Comcast Cable Systems. Barnum joins Chad Doing and Travis Demers on the Rip City Drive... on Thursdays Coach Barnum can be heard on John Canzano's Bald-Faced Truth Show, 750 The Game, at 1 p.m.
 
EVERY WEDNESDAY: Vikings Football With Bruce Barnum. Barny reviews and previews Viking football games with Mike Lund. The video is available at www.GoViks.com and on Vikings Social Media.
 
VIKING FOOTBALL LUNCHEONS: Portland State Athletics next football luncheon take places on Oct. 4 at the Old Spaghetti Factory, located at 0715 SW Bancroft. Coach Barnum and Viking players will speak and be available for questions. The luncheon starts at noon and is open to the public. Cost is $15... on Oct. 11 the luncheon will be replaced by a TopGolf Tournament and luncheon at TopGolf in Hillsboro.

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PORTLAND STATE AND BOISE STATE MEET FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2005 
After a relatively easy first win of the season against a Division II opponent, Portland State takes a huge step up this week. The Vikings will take on FBS-level Boise State on the blue turf of Albertsons Stadium this Saturday night. The game against the 22nd-ranked Broncos will be the first meeting between the schools in 14 seasons.
     
PSU is 1-1 following a 70-7 win over Simon Fraser. However, a 20-13 loss at Arkansas of the SEC is perhaps a better indicator of where the Vikings are right now. The FCS-level Vikings go up and down the ladder of competition throughout the non-conference schedule, but no doubt Boise State poses the most challenging test.
     
Saturday's game will be the second of six road games for Portland State. After meeting the Broncos, PSU is home for three of its next four.
     
Boise State comes into the game off a pair of impressive wins. The Broncos had a come-from-behind 36-31 victory at Florida State to open the season. Then, a brilliant defensive effort against Marshall last Friday (just 172 yards allowed) resulted in a 14-7 win.
     
The Vikings and Broncos have met seven times previously with Boise State winning six of the matchups. BSU has won four in a row. The only Portland State win came in 1992 when the Pokey Allen-led Division II Vikings beat the 1-AA (FCS) Big Sky Broncos, 51-26. Less than two months later, Boise State hired Allen to be its new coach.
     
Saturday's game will be televised on ESPN2. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. MT/7:15 p.m. PT. A live audio stream is available at www.GoViks.com with the pregame show at 7:45/6:45. Live stats are available www.ViksLive.com.
 
STORYLINES
• Portland State and Boise State will meet for the first time since 2005. The Broncos won that game, 21-14, in Boise. BSU leads the all-time series, 6-1. The previous six meetings have been played in Boise.
• Boise State has the best winning percentage of any FBS school in the country since 2000 (209-41, .836).
• Portland State's only win in the series came as a Division II program while Boise State was a 1-AA (FCS) member of the Big Sky Conference. PSU won 51-26 on Oct. 24, 1992. Following the season, Portland State Head Coach Pokey Allen was hired to take over as Boise State Head Coach.
• Portland State is 4-39 all-time against members of the FBS. Viking Head Coach Bruce Barnum is 2-7 against the FBS, including 0-2 against the Mountain West (San Jose State, Nevada). PSU lost to an FBS opponent, Arkansas, 20-13 on Aug. 31.
• Portland State Director of Athletics Valerie Cleary worked at Boise State from 2002-08, spending time in academic advising and as BroncoLife Coordinator.
• Boise State assistant coach Eric Kiesau played quarterback at Portland State in 1995-96. He was the starter in 1996, PSU's first season as a member of the Big Sky Conference.
 
LAST MEETING, Oct. 8, 2005: Boise State 21, Portland State 14
Portland State nearly ended Boise State's 26-game home winning streak. The Broncos did not lead until 8:03 remained in the game following a 15-play, 87-yard drive. A seven-yard touchdown run by Lee Marks, followed by a two-point conversion, turned a 14-13 deficit into a 21-14 lead for Boise State. Then, PSU couldn't get past the Broncos' 38-yard line on its final two possessions.
     
The Broncos out-gained the Vikings 469 to 269, but PSU took advantage of a +2 turnover margin.
     
Joe Rubin rushed for 128 yards in the first half, including a 32-yard touchdown run, staking the Vikings to a 14-7 lead. He finished with 25 carries for 152 yards. Odell Jackson and Steve Shinen each had picks for the defense.
     
Jared Zabransky completed 21 of 29 passes for 256 yards for the Broncos.
   
ON THIS DATE: SEPTEMBER 14
Portland State is 4-4 all-time on September 14, having lost the first four times it played on the date, then having won the last four times. The most recent game was a 43-6 win over Division II Humboldt State on Sept. 14, 2013. PSU has not played a road game on Sept. 14 since 1974, a 50-21 loss at UC Davis.
 
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS
Boise State is 2-0 and ranked 22nd in the nation after two weeks of football. Sixth-year Head Coach Bryan Harsin is 54-15 with the Broncos.
     
Through two games Boise State has made a strong showing on defense, allowing 299.0 yards and 19.0 points per game. The Broncos have forced four turnovers and made seven sacks. Last week, Marshall managed only 172 yards and seven points.
     
Linebacker Ezekiel Noa and cornerback Jalen Walker each have 11 tackles to lead the team. Nickelback Kekaula Kaniho has 10 tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
     
On offense, quarterback Hank Bachmeier has completed 52-85 passes for 689 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Khalil Shakir has 13 receptions for 73 yards and a score. Tight end John Bates has eight catches for 114 yards.
     
The running game has been split almost evenly between George Holani and Robert Mahone. They have combined for 329 yards and two touchdowns.
 
VIKINGS vs. NATIONALLY-RANKED PROGRAMS
This week, Portland State plays the first of what figures to be a handful of nationally-ranked opponents this season (three other Big Sky opponents are currently ranked). Boise State is ranked 22nd at the FBS level.
     
Since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1996, PSU is 20-45 all-time against nationally-ranked FCS opponents, and 0-8 against nationally-ranked FBS opponents. Head Coach Bruce Barnum is 6-9 against ranked teams, 6-7 against ranked FCS teams, 0-2 against ranked FBS teams.
     
PSU is not nationally ranked at the FCS level. However, the Vikings received 17 voting points in the FCS Coaches Poll in week 1, and has received 11 voting points this week. As a ranked program while a member of the Big Sky, PSU is 11-8 against other ranked FCS teams.
 
QUICK SNAPS
 
VIKINGS RUN ROUGHSHOD OVER SIMON FRASER
A slow start and some sloppy early play gave way to an explosive day for both the Portland State offense and defense in a 70-7 win over Simon Fraser last Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium. Sure, the Vikings were heavy favorites going into the game against the Division II Clan, but that didn't make the final result any less impressive. Portland State found itself down 7-0 after the first minute of the game. The Vikings finally scored on their third possession, beginning a run of 70 straight points. Still, they didn't get their second touchdown of the game – and the lead – until a Davis Alexander to Davis Koetter 27-yard pass with 6:22 to play in the second quarter. A 21-7 halftime lead gave way to a second-half blitz of the Clan. PSU scored 49 points after intermission. Seven different players had touchdowns in the game and 11 different players carried the football. On defense, the Vikings had a remarkable 20 tackles for loss, eight sacks, nine pass breakups and allowed only 113 yards.
 
20 OR LESS
Last Saturday's win marked the eighth time in the last 11 games that Portland State has held an opponent to 20 points or less. Defensive Coordinator Payam Saadat's group made huge strides of improvement in 2018. And although the Vikings lost their opener at Arkansas, the Viking D turned in another fine performance. PSU held the Razorbacks under 400 yards and allowed only 20 points. Then PSU allowed just seven points and 113 yards to Simon Fraser.
Some highlights:
• Portland State set two new school records against Simon Fraser. The -65 rushing yards allowed broke the previous mark of -21 by Western Washington in 1981; the 20 tackles for loss broke a mark of 18 set against Humboldt State in 2013. Fifteen different players were involved in the TFLs. PSU made eight sacks, led by three from SR DT Kenton Bartlett, nine pass breakups and forced two fumbles. SO S Anthony Adams broke up four passes and blocked a field goal for good measure. The defense even scored a touchdown when FR LB David Joseph pounced on a fumble in the end zone. The ball had been knocked loose on a quarterback sack by SO LB Robert Holt.
• The Vikings held Simon Fraser to -23 total yards over the last three quarters of the game. The seven points allowed were the fewest since a 66-7 win over North Texas on Oct. 10, 2015 – 42 games ago.
• SR ROV Romeo Gunt had a career-high 15 tackles - fourth-most tackles in the nation for the weekend - in the game against Arkansas. Gunt was named Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week... he currently leads the Vikings with 19 tackles. He is tied for the Big Sky Conference lead.
• SO S Anthony Adams leads the Vikings, the Big Sky Conference and the nation with six pass breakups.
• PSU has three takeaways this season, all by relative newcomers to the lineup. SO LB Robert Holt had his first career interception against Arkansas. FR CB Greg Oliver (interception) and FR LB David Joseph (FR for touchdown) had takeaways against Simon Fraser.
• The Vikings have held their opponents to 7-30 conversions on third down (23%).
 
DAVIS TO DAVIS HIGHLIGHTS THE OFFENSE
JR QB Davis Alexander played two-and-a-half quarters, totaling 18-25 passing for 292 yards and three touchdowns against Simon Fraser. He also rushed for 23 yards on three carries and had 315 yards of total offense. Two of his three TDs went to SO WR Davis Koetter (a former quarterback). Koetter had a career-high four receptions for a career-high 107 yards and TD catches of 27 and 42 yards.
• Through two games, Alexander is 28-46 for 373 yards, three TDs and two interceptions... in 15 career starts, Alexander is 236-428 for 3,324 yards, 19 TDs and 11 interceptions.
 
MONEY MAN
SO WR Davis Koetter's career is really just getting started, but so far he has been money. Of Koetter's nine career receptions, four have gone for touchdowns. He has 244 totals yards for a 27.1 yards per catch average. This season, his average is 24.6 yards per catch which ranks 10th in the nation.
 
MORE OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS
• On offense, the Vikings' 70 points 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.
• SO WR Mataio Talalemotu caught six balls for 132 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown. It was his second career 100-yard game and a career high for receptions.
• Eleven different Vikings rushed the ball for positive yards. Third-string QB Dante Chachere – a true freshman – led the way with seven carries for 65 yards and rushing TDs of eight and 18 yards in the fourth quarter. In one series of play, backup QB Jalani Eason completed 2-2 passes for 54 yards and scored on a two-yard run.
• After two games, Portland State 4-4 in fourth down conversions. The Vikings are 6-6 in the redzone (all TDs against Simon Fraser).
• PSU's concern on offense after two weeks is turnovers. The Vikings threw three interceptions at Arkansas, then lost three fumbles against Simon Fraser. With six giveaway, PSU already has 40% of its total for all for 2018 (15).
 
CHARTING CHARLIE
One might say All-American tight end Charlie Taumoepeau has modest numbers through two games but he is a focus of any defense. Taumoepeau has seven receptions for 94 yards, including a 32-yard touchdowns at Arkansas.
• For his career, Taumoepeau now has 88 receptions for 1,496 yards (17.0) and 10 touchdowns.
• In his last 23 games played, Taumoepeau has 82 catches for 1,418 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.
 
KICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
SO K Cody Williams is picking up where he left off last season. At Arkansas the second-year kicker was 2-2 on field goals, hitting from 50 and 47 yards.
• For his career, Williams is 13-16 on field goals, 45-45 on extra points.
• Williams' 50-yarder at Arkansas was his second from 50+ in his career in two attempts. His long was a 52-yard game-winner at Montana in 2018 with four seconds left in the game (22-20).
• Williams has two of the 15 50+ yard field goals in school history. Only five players have two or more in their careers.
 
VERY SPECIAL TEAMS
Portland State special teams are off to a good start in the 2019 season. Some notes:
• The Vikings are 2-2 on field goals and 11-11 on extra points. SO K Cody Williams handled all the duty until backup Ward Bonnon kicked the final three extra points against Simon Fraser.
• SO WR Beau Kelly is averaging 10.2 yards per punt return, ranking second in the Big Sky Conference and 17th in the nation.
• SO S Anthony Adams blocked a field goal against Simon Fraser... PSU had five blocked kicks/punts last season.
• JR P Seth Vernon, in his first season as a Viking, is averaging 41.3 yards - so far the best by a Viking since 2014.