Game 6

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (2-3, 1-1) at IDAHO VANDALS (1-3, 0-1)

Saturday, October 9, 2021, 2 p.m., ASUI Kibbie Dome (16,000), Moscow, ID
LIVE STREAMING: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: https://govandals.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

Complete notes and stats in pdf

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ALL-TIME SERIES

Idaho leads 12-2 • Idaho leads 4-2 in Portland • Idaho leads 8-0 in Moscow
The Big Sky series is tied 1-1 • PSU leads 1-0 in Portland • Idaho leads 1-0 in Moscow
 
Big Sky Conference games
2018: UI 20, PSU 17 at Idaho
2019: PSU 24, UI 0 at Hillsboro Stadium 

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VIKINGS LOOK FOR SECOND STRAIGHT ROAD WIN AT IDAHO

Coming off an exhilarating road win at Southern Utah, the Portland State Vikings will try to create momentum as they travel again this week to face the University of Idaho. The game is this Saturday at 2 p.m. at the ASUI Kibbie Dome in Moscow. It can be seen on ESPN+.
     
PSU defeated Southern Utah 20-13 last Saturday in Cedar City. That win was led by a stout defense that gave up only 267 yards of offense and made a pair of key fourth-quarter stops, setting up the game-winning touchdown and preventing a late tying score.
     
The Vikings are now 1-1 in Big Sky Conference play, 2-3 overall. The game at Idaho is the second in a stretch of four out of six on the road for PSU. The Vikings got the first road win, now will seek a second straight Big Sky road for the first time since the 2018 season. If PSU can pull it off, they have a chance to create real momentum with their next two games at home (Idaho State, Oct. 16; Cal Poly, Oct. 30).
     
Idaho will be at home for the first time in more than a month. The Vandals are 1-3 overall, 0-1 in the Big Sky. But the Vandals finally got a true measure of who they were last Saturday, playing their first FCS-level opponent of the season. Idaho put a scare into seventh-ranked UC Davis, losing a close contest in Davis, 27-20. Like PSU's previous opponent, Southern Utah, Idaho has a talented defense. The Vandals rank third in the Big Sky in fewest yards allowed per game (313.0), including the top pass defense (161.3 ypg).
     
Portland State has never won a game at Idaho (0-8 all-time) and has lost its only Big Sky Conference meeting there (20-7 in 2018). However, the Vikings had an impressive 24-0 win over the Vandals in their last meeting, a 2019 contest at Hillsboro Stadium.     

SCOUTING THE VANDALS

Idaho comes into this week's game with two significant features: a strong running game (179.3 ypg, 5.2 ypc, 10 TD); and a limiting defense (313.0 ypg).
     
The Vandals won their opener against Simon Fraser (68-0), then lost their next three, at Indiana (56-14), Oregon State (42-0) and UC Davis (27-20).
     
The running game has been by committee, but it has worked well. Elisha Cummings leads the group with 37 carries for 209 yards and a touchdown. CJ Jordan has 23 carries for 127 yards and a score. And, Zach Borisch (20-115-2) and Roshaun Johnson (11-91-3) have combined for five touchdowns.
     
Cummings rushed for 125 yards at UC Davis while the Vandals rolled up 487 yards of total offense. Quarterback Mike Beaudry passed for 255 yards.
     
On defense, Fa'avae Fa'avae leads the way with 32 tackles through four games. Tre Walker has 31 tackles. 

STORYLINES

• WHITEWASH: Portland State's shutout of Idaho in 2019 was the first over a Big Sky Conference team since 2006 (34-0 vs EWU) - a span of exactly 100 league games. PSU had shutout two lower division teams in 2011 and 2015.
• NOT SO GREAT 80s: Portland State and Idaho played a non-conference game for 10 straight seasons from 1980-89. Idaho won every game except for the decade-ender, a 29-20 PSU win in Portland in 1989.
• SEEKING A FIRST: Portland State has never won in Moscow, losing all eight appearances, including one Big Sky Conference game in 2018 (20-7).
• BACK-TO-BACK?: Portland State has not won two straight Big Sky Conference road games since Oct. 6, 2018 (Montana) and Oct. 27, 2018 (Sacramento State). The Vikings have a chance to do so this week.
• BIG TIMERS: Idaho played at the FBS level from 1996-2017 before moving back to the FCS level.

LAST WEEK: VIKING DEFENSE MAKES A STAND

When the chips were down, the Viking defense stepped up. They made the difference in the game, and led Portland State to a 20-13 Big Sky Conference road win at Southern Utah. Neither team held more than a one score lead the entire game. When Portland State went up 20-13 with just over nine minutes to go in the game, they needed to rely on their defense to make it stand up.... Southern Utah made its first significant ball movement of the second half, driving to a first and goal at the PSU nine-yard line. With third-and-goal at the four, the Vikings forced two incompletions. The fourth down play was swatted away in the end zone by cornerback Xavier Bell and the Vikings took over with 3:05 left in the game... PSU was able to run out the clock for its first road win and first Big Sky win of the year...  In all, the Viking defense held Southern Utah to 267 yards – its best performance of the season. PSU's offense, held in check in the first quarter, totaled 307 yards and produced 20 points the rest of the way... the Thunderbirds moved the ball effectively through the first quarter, running 21 plays, gaining 64 yards on the ground and 67 in the air. But a Bell interception of Justin Miller at the PSU 15 thwarted the T-Birds second drive.... Portland State was stymied early, running only six plays for five yards in the first quarter. The second quarter was different though. On PSU's first touch, they drove 70 yards for a touchdown. Malik Walker rushed it in from two yards out. Alexander was 4-5 passing for 58 yards in the drive... Southern Utah took advantage of a big kick return and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Vikings in the next possession. They needed only 36 yards of total offense for a touchdown. It came on a 19-yard pass from Miller to Ethan Bolingbroke... Portland State drove for a tying field goal just before halftime. Gianni Smith booted a 35-yarder to tie the game at 10-10... After a sluggish start, PSU's defense held the Thunderbirds to only five yards rushing and 40 total yards in the second quarter. After getting just five yards in the first quarter, PSU gained 132 in the second quarter.... Portland State was driving in the third quarter when Alexander was picked off near the endzone. Kobe Singleton returned it 48 yards. A penalty on the Vikings moved the ball all the way to the PSU 35... The T-Birds drove to the Viking five-yard line before a Noah Yunker sack set them back. They settled for a 29-yard field goal from Alejado, taking the lead back at 13-10... The Vikings came right back to tie. After going a methodical 54 yards on 14 plays, Smith booted a 28-yard field goal. That made the score 13-13 with 1:09 to play in the third quarter... PSU was driving in the fourth but suffered another turnover near the goal line. Jalynnee McGee went up the middle on second-and-goal and the ball came out. Originally ruled down, after a review it was given to Southern Utah... Although the Vikings didn't score, they survived the mistake. The defense forced a three-and-out, then Beau Kelly returned the ensuing punt 30 yards to the Southern Utah 20. A late-hit penalty moved the ball down to the 10... On the next play, Alexander rushed in for a 10-yard touchdown and a 20-13 PSU lead. That set up SUU's final drive and the Vikings' big stop on defense... The Vikings finished with a season-high 156 rushing yards. Seventy-eight yards came from McGee, a freshman, and 71 yards came from Walker. The Vikings had 151 yards in the passing game with seven receptions from Beau Kelly. PSU's 307 yards was a season-low... Freshman linebacker Parker McKenna had nine tackles, including one for loss, to lead the defense. Bell had six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup. Defensive end Noah Yunker had three tackles for loss and a sack.

DEFENSE HAS ITS DAY

Portland State's defense was the catalyst for the Vikings' 20-13 win at Southern Utah. Here are a few quick facts:

• The 267 yards allowed by the PSU defense were the fewest this season. Southern Utah had only 136 yards after the first quarter and averaged just 2.8 yards per rush.
• The Vikings had nine tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and two pass breakups in the game. FR LB Parker McKenna, from Beaverton, had a team-high nine tackles and one tackle for loss... Bell made six tackles with an interception and a pass breakup... SR DT Semise Kofe made six tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss.
• Southern Utah totaled only 66 yards in the second and third quarters combined.
• After a big kickoff return and a PSU penalty set up the Thunderbirds at the Viking 35 in the third quarter, the defense again held up. A key sack by JR DE VJ Malo forced the T-Birds into a field goal.
• When the Vikings drove to the SUU one-yard line, threatening to score the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter, they fumbled the ball away. But the defense forced a three-and-out and Southern Utah had to punt from its own five-yard line. It was returned by JR WR Beau Kelly to the SUU 20, and a penalty moved it to the 10. One play later SR QB Davis Alexander rushed in for the go-ahead – and eventual winning – touchdown.
• On Southern Utah's final drive, they moved to a first-and-goal at the PSU 9. The T-Birds rushed for no yards, then got a quarterback scramble for five yards. With third-and-goal at the four, PSU forced two incompletions. The second came on fourth-and-goal when Bell swatted away the pass in the endzone.

MORE DIAMONDS ON DEFENSE THIS SEASON

Some top performances by the Viking defense through five games.

• The Vikings allowed only 106 yards in the first half and 278 yards total in their home-opening win over Western Oregon (9/18). PSU had nine tackles for loss, four sacks and six pass breakups in the game. SR LB Broderick Harrell led the way with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup.
• PSU's defense forced a season-high four turnovers at Hawai'i.
• The Viking defense has forced seven turnovers and made 13 sacks.
• JR CB Anthony Adams has three takeaways with a recovered fumble and two interceptions. He is tied for second in the Big Sky in picks.
• MALO-IFICENT TO OFFENSES: JR DE VJ Malo has 10 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. He is tied for first in sacks and TFLs in the Big Sky.
• FR LB Parker McKenna leads the Vikings with 39 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble... FB LB Justice Pagan has 26 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack.
• ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS FOR TACKLES: JR CB Anthony Adams, 134; SR LB Nicolas Ah Sam, 102; SR DT Semise Kofe, 95.

HERE COMES THE RUN

Portland State had been averaging only 88 yards on the ground per game through the first four. However, the Vikings rushed for a season-high 156 against Southern Utah. FR RB Jalynnee McGee, hindered by injury the past couple of games, broke out for 78 yards on eight carries, including a season-best 30-yarder. SR RB Malik Walker was effective with 15 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown. 

TURNOVER TROUBLE

Portland State had two turnovers against Southern Utah and forced only one. That leaves the Vikings with a -4 turnover deficit on the season. PSU has yet to win the turnover battle in any game this season... the Vikings had only 16 in 12 games in 2019 (1.3 pg) and 15 in 11 games in 2018 (1.4 pg). With 11 through five games, the Vikings are on pace for 25 turnovers (2.3 pg) this season. 

BEAU KNOWS RECEIVING, PASSING, RETURNING, RUSHING...

JR WR Beau Kelly continues to be an all-around contributor for the Vikings. He had 89 all-purpose yards at Southern Utah and has 578 for the season. He has gained yards receiving, rushing and on punt returns. And he is 2-2 passing for 56 yards.

• Kelly leads the Vikings and ranks in the top 10 in the Big Sky Conference in receptions (33), yards (485) and touchdowns (4)... he also has 12 rushing yards, 80 punt return yards and 56 passing yards this season.
• He ranks 15th in the nation with 97.2 receiving yards per game.
• Kelly leads the Big Sky Conference with a 16.0 punt return average.
• Kelly had back-to-back career games in the first two of the season. He went for 6-132-1 at Hawai'i, then 10-152-1 at Washington State.
• For his career, Kelly has 79 receptions for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns in 26 games. He also has 186 career punt return yards, 103 career passing yards (on 3-3 completions), and 67 career rushing yards.

IT TAKES A THIEF

All-American JR CB Anthony Adams has his season off to a familiar start. Through five games, Adams has three takeaways - two interceptions and a fumble recovery - to go with 21 tackles. Robert Wagner would be proud (old-time TV fan reference)...

• Adams now has 10 career takeaways (2 FR, 8 INT)... his 27 career pass breakups ranks sixth all-time at PSU.
• Opponents have notably stayed away from his side of the field. He has 21 tackles, including one for loss and a pass breakup this season.
• Two of his takeaways - the fumble recovery at Hawai'i and the interception at Washington State - came when the opponent was inside the Vikings' 10-yard line.
• In 2019, Adams led the nation in passes defensed at the FCS level in 2019 (5 INT, 19 PBU) earning consensus first team All-American honors. 

WIDEOUT PRODUCTION

      Portland State figured to have a very strong wide receiver group in 2021. That has been apparent through five games even with a few of the key members unavailable.

• JR WR Beau Kelly leads the team in receptions (33), receiving yards (485) and touchdowns (4).
• FR WR Darien Chase has become a starter and has 23 receptions. He has 295 receiving yards and had a 100-yard game at Hawai'i.
• FR WR Nate Bennett has 25 receptions for 362 yards and three TDs and has started all five games. Bennett ranks sixth in the Big Sky in receiving. He picked up his first 100-yard game with six receptions for 106 yards against Western Oregon.
• JR WR Mataio Talalemotu was unavailable for three games and played briefly at Southern Utah. He passed 1,000 career receiving yards at Hawai'i. Talalemotu now has 60 receptions for 1,012 yards and eight TDs.
• Projected to be starters in 2021, Talalemotu has been limited and SR WR Emmanuel Daigbe (groin) is out for the season.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

SR QB Davis Alexander is climbing the charts among Portland State's all-time passing leaders. And that is no small feat when you consider some of the great signal-callers that have gone through the Park Blocks. Alexander has a chance to finish his career second in virtually every passing category behind Viking legend Neil Lomax. Here is a sample of what Alexander has achieved through five games this season and 31 career starts.

• Alexander is 109-188 passing for 1,405 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Alexander ranks second in the Big Sky in passing yards per game (313.5) and total offense (337.0). He ranks 13th in the nation in both categories.
• Alexander has moved into second place all-time at PSU for total offense behind only Neil Lomax (1977-2000, 13,345). Alexander now has 8,750 yards.
• With 7,545 career passing yards, Alexander is now in third place in PSU history. He trails only Neil Lomax (1977-1980, 13,220) and Jimmy Blanchard (1997-2000, 8,455).
• With eight passing touchdowns, Alexander is now fifth all-time with 50 in his career at PSU. He has accounted for 71 career touchdowns (including 21 rushing).
• Alexander has moved into fourth in completions in Portland State history. He is now 551-978 in his career.
• Alexander had the seventh 300-yard game of his career at Hawai'i. That total is tied for sixth all-time at PSU with June Jones (1975-76) and Jimmy Blanchard (1997-2000). He had his second career 400-yard game.

EXTRA SPECIAL TEAMS

Vikings special teams are strong once again in 2021:

• SR P Seth Vernon continues to impress. He has a 48.2 yard average and nine punts of over 50 yards. He ranks second in the Big Sky Conference and third in the nation. Vernon had a long of 59 yards at Hawai'i, 56 yards at Washington State, 58 yards against Western Oregon, 55 against Montana State and 65 at Southern Utah.
• JR K Cody Williams will miss the remainder of the season due to a hip injury. Williams started the first 26 games of his career. This season he made 10-10 extra points, extending his school-record streak to 93 in a row... Williams hit a 46-yard field goal at Washington State. That was the 27th successful three-pointer in his career, tying him for seventh all-time in PSU history (Mike Cajal-Willis, 2001-02).
• FR K Gianni Smith took over for Williams late in the Western Oregon game. Since then, Smith has gone 5-5 on extra points and 3-3 on field goals. He made a 41-yard field goal against Montana State, then 35 and 28 yarders at Southern Utah.
• FR CB Tyreese Shakir recovered a pair of fumbles at Hawai'i. The first came in the third quarter when Shakir recovered a muffed kickoff return by the Rainbow Warriors in the endzone. Later in the fourth, when the Vikings were attempting a desperate comeback, Shakir recovered a fumbled onside kick.
• JR WR Beau Kelly had a season-best 30-yard punt return at Southern Utah and averages 16.0 for the season. He leads the Big Sky Conference.

FRESHMEN IMPACT

Portland State started five freshmen at Washington State, and all have become key players for the Vikings. FR OL Richard Estrella starts at right tackle and Head Coach Bruce Barnum believes he can become the Vikings top man up front with a little experience. FR LBs Parker McKenna and Justice Pagan not only started, but rank 1-2 in tackles for the Vikings. FR WRs Darien Chase and Nate Bennett are starters and rank 2-3 in receptions for the Vikings.
     
FR CB Tyreese Shakir has started the last two games at rover, becoming the sixth first-year man to get a start.
     
FR OL D'Angalo Titialii started at Southern Utah to be the seventh first-year starter.
     
A total of 22 freshmen - true or redshirt - have seen action this season.