#5 EASTERN WASHINGTON EAGLES (8-2, 5-2) at PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (5-5, 4-3)

Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, 2:05 p.m., Hillsboro Stadium (7,200), Hillsboro, OR
LIVE STREAMING: ESPN+ • Play-by-play: Matt Richert • Analyst: Scott Hermo
LIVE STATS: www.ViksLive.com
Complete notes and stats in pdf

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VIKINGS HEAD TO FINAL GAME SEEKING WINNING RECORD

A late November run was dashed by Sacramento State last week, but the Portland State Vikings still have plenty to play for this Saturday when they host 5th-ranked Eastern Washington. The Vikings and the Eagles will meet in a Big Sky Conference finale at Hillsboro Stadium. Kickoff is 2:05 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN+.
     
PSU (5-5, 4-3) was on pace to contend for an FCS playoff berth until the 12th-ranked Hornets beat them 49-20 last Saturday in Sacramento. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Vikings and eliminated their chances to get to seven wins and six Big Sky wins.
     
The Vikings still have a lot on the line this Saturday against the Eagles. A win would put them at 6-5 overall, 5-3 in the Big Sky. Both marks would be the best by a Viking team in the last five seasons. A win over rival Eastern Washington would also be a treat as PSU has lost four straight to the Eagles. It would be a second win over a nationally-ranked team this season, and would even the the all-time series between the schools.
     
All that said, beating Eastern Washington is a tall task. The Eagles lead the nation in total offense (577.0) and rank second in scoring (47.0). Only once this season have the Eagles failed to score at least 34 points. At their current ranking, the Eagles are all but assured of a post-season bid. 

ALL-TIME SERIES

EWU leads the all-time series 21-20-1 • EWU leads 11-10 in Portland • Series tied 10-10-1 in Cheney
EWU leads the Big Sky series 16-8 • EWU leads 8-4 in Portland • EWU leads 8-4 in Cheney     

STORYLINES

• This marks the ninth straight year that Portland State and Eastern Washington will meet in the regular season finale (excepting the 2020 season due to COVID). In fact, PSU and Eastern meet for the 31st straight season, not counting PSU's opt out season of 2020.
• Eastern Washington has won seven of the last eight games in the series.
• In the all-time series, Eastern leads 11-10 on PSU's home field, while PSU has gone 10-10-1 on Eastern's home field... other than Idaho State (46 meetings), PSU has faced Eastern Washington more than any other school in its history (this will be game 43).
• The Eagles reached the 2018 NCAA FCS I National Championship game last season before losing to North Dakota State, 38-24. Eastern Washington won the national championship in 2010, reached the semifinals in 2012, 2013 and 2016 and got to the quarterfinals in 2014.
• Portland State's all-time best passing game (Drew Hubel, 623 yards, 2008, 47-36 win) and rushing game (Ryan Fuqua, 393 yards, 2001, 37-22 win) and longest pass play (Jimmy Blanchard to Terry Charles, 99 yards, 1998, 48-39 win) have come against Eastern Washington.

VIKINGS HAVE 13 SENIORS COMPETING IN THEIR FINAL HOME GAME

This Saturday, 13 Portland State seniors will be playing in their final home game. Eight are current starters and 12 have started games for the Vikings this season. The seniors include: DT Semise Kofe (32 tackles), QB Davis Alexander (2,736 yards, 19 TDs), S Ryan Lesch (3 games, 13 tackles), LB Alex Lozano (8 games, 22 tackles), LB Nicolas Ah Sam (36 tackles), RB Malik Walker (829 yards, 10 TDs), S Ty Apana-Purcell (3 starts, 18 tackles, 2 INT), DE Noah Yunker (6 games, 5 tackles), OL John Krahn (17 career games), OL Carlton Lorenz (6 games), OL Carlos Barraza (19 career starts), TE Daniel Giannosa (40 career games), P Seth Vernon (44.9 average).

S Broderick Harrell (42 tackles) and OL Tiano Tialavea are applying for an additional year of eligibility with the NCAA.
     
Kofe, Alexander, Ah Sam, Yunker and Giannosa are all four-year letterwinners. Lesch, Walker, Apana-Purcell, Krahn, Barraza and Vernon are two-year letterwinners. Lozano and Lorenz are one-year letterwinners. 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

Eastern Washington has been a Big Sky Conference and FCS powerhouse for most of the 2000s. Head Coach Aaron Best has led the program for the past five years, winning 39 of 55 games and leading the program to one FCS final in 2018.
     
Quarterback Eric Barriere may be the most potent offensive player in the nation. He has thrown for nearly 400 yards per game this season and 35 touchdowns. A fleet of receivers is led by Talolo Limu-Jones, who has 49 receptions for 809 yards and three scores. The running game is paced by Dennis Merritt, who has rushed 153 times for 749 yards and a Big Sky-leading 14 touchdowns.
     
On defense, the Eagles have forced 19 turnovers and have a +10 turnover margin. They allow 26.8 points and 377.0 yards per game. 

ALL-AMERICAN BOY

All-American JR CB Anthony Adams is having a familiar season. Though opponents have notably stayed away from his side of the field, Adams has 48 tackles, five tackles for loss, five pass breakups, three interceptions, a Big Sky-leading three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.

• 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... Adams also had an INT at Hawai'i.
• In the past two weeks, Adams has been particularly good. In the win over #24 Weber State, Adams had a career-high 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup... at Sacramento State, Adams had six tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
• Adams now has 13 career takeaways (4 FR, 9 INT)... his 31 career pass breakups ranks third all-time at PSU. The school record is 33 by Rashad Floyd (1997-2000)... Adams has started all 34 games of his career.
• 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. 

DEFENSE A PREDICTOR OF VIKING VICTORIES

It's no coincidence that when the Portland State defense is productive, the Vikings win games. In the Vikings' five wins this season, they have allowed 7, 13, 10, 21, and 18 points – an average of less than two touchdowns per game. They have given up just 278.4 yards per game in those wins.

• During PSU's three-game winning streak, the Viking defense produced nine turnovers and 13 sacks.
• MALO-IFICENT TO OFFENSES: Perhaps most impressive this season has been the play of JR DE VJ Malo. He continues to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Malo has 10.5 sacks (2nd in the Big Sky) on the season - the most by a Vikings since 1988 and the most at the FCS level. He has 19 tackles for loss (2nd in the Big Sky) and three forced fumbles (1st in the Big Sky) this season. Malo should be a top candidate for Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year.... the 10.5 sacks are the most by a Viking SINCE 1988 and the most ever by a Viking at the FCS level... Malo ranks fourth in the nation in tackles for loss, ninth in the nation in sacks and 11th in forced fumbles.
• 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.
• Portland State allowed 267 yards in the 20-13 win at Southern Utah. On the T-Birds 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 JR CB Xavier Bell swatted away the pass in the endzone with 3:05 to play... Bell finished with six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.
• THREE TIMES FIVE: PSU's defense forced a season-high five turnovers against Idaho State and allowed 259 yards of offense. The Vikings made five sacks and five pass breakups.
• Portland State held the defending Big Sky Champion Weber State Wildcats to 256 yards - the fewest by an opponent this season - in a 30-18 win. PSU made 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and four pass breakups in the win.
• This season, the Viking defense has forced 18 turnovers, made 77 tackles for loss and 27 sacks.
• LEADERS: FR LB Parker McKenna leads the Vikings with 80 total tackles, four tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and a pass breakup... JR CB Anthony Adams has 48 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and five pass breakups... JR CB Xavier Bell has 47 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a team-high six pass breakups and an interception... SR S Broderick Harrell had 42 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble reovery and four pass breakups.
• ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS FOR TACKLES: JR CB Anthony Adams, 161; SR LB Nicolas Ah Sam, 120; SR DT Semise Kofe, 107. 

TRENDING TOWARD BALANCE ON OFFENSE

On offense, the Vikings have found the balance they seek. In the last six games, four of which are wins, the Vikings have averaged 160.5 rushing yards and 251.0 passing yards per game. 

WALKING THE WALKER

Portland State had been averaging only 88 yards on the ground per game through the first four. However, the Vikings have rushed for 156, 164, 144, 207, 129 and 163 yards in the past six games - an average of 160.5 per game.

• SR RB Malik Walker rushed 26 times for a career-high 132 yards against Idaho... on Oct. 30, he rushed 14 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns, earning Big Sky Conference co-Offensive Player of the Week... Walker has 103 carries for 603 rushing yards and six touchdowns over the last six games... he ranks third in the Big Sky Conference with 161 carries for 829 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns this season.
• FR RB Jalynnee McGee has struggled to stay healthy this season, but he has proven to be a solid complement to Walker when he is healthy. McGee rushed 17 times for 63 yards and a score against Cal Poly....he had seven carries for 78 yards at Southern Utah... he had three carries for 33 yards at Weber State... then 10 carries for 63 yards at Sacramento State... McGee has 47 carries for 257 yards and a touchdown. 

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

SR QB Davis Alexander is putting up legendary numbers. This season Alexander has 2,736 passing yards and 19 touchdowns (as well as six rushing TDs). Over the past week, Alexander was named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List for the national offensive player of the year... here is a sample of what Alexander has achieved through this season and 35 career starts.

• Alexander is 232-393 passing for 2,736 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Alexander ranks second in the Big Sky in passing yards per game (273.6) and total offense (289.9)... he also has six rushing touchdowns this season.
• With 8,876 passing yards in his career he has moved into second all-time at PSU trailing only Neil Lomax (1977-80, 13,220).
• With 25 career rushing touchdowns, Alexander is seventh all-time in Portland State history in that category.
• He is responsible for 86 career touchdowns (61 passing, 25 rushing), ranking second only to Lomax.
• Alexander has moved into second place all-time at PSU for total offense behind only Neil Lomax (1977-2000, 13,345). Alexander now has 10,133 yards.
• With 61 career passing touchdowns, Alexander ranks third all-time at PSU. Jimmy Blanchard is second with 63, Lomax has 106.
• Alexander has moved into second in completions in Portland State history. He is now 674-1,172 in his career.
• Alexander now has eight 300-yard passing games, which ties for fourth-most in PSU history. His three 400-yard games ties for third-most... Alexander threw for a career-high 424 yards and four touchdowns at Idaho earlier this season. He also has a 400-yard game (Hawai'i), and games of 299, 295 and 293. 

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

JR WR Beau Kelly continues to be an all-around contributor for the Vikings. He has 985 all-purpose yards for the season (98.5). 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 first in the Big Sky in receptions (62), first in touchdowns (9) and third in receiving yards (855)... he also has 15 rushing yards, 115 punt return yards and 56 passing yards this season.
• He ranks 19th in the nation with 85.5 receiving yards per game.
• Kelly leads the Big Sky Conference with a 14.4 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... his third 100-yard game came at Idaho (7-119-2)... he racked up 101 receiving yards on eight catches against Cal Poly for a fourth 100-yard game.
• For his career, Kelly has 108 receptions for 1,508 yards and 12 touchdowns in 31 games. He also has 221 career punt return yards, 103 career passing yards (on 3-4 completions), and 70 career rushing yards. 

WIDEOUT PRODUCTION

Portland State figured to have a very strong wide receiver group in 2021. That has come to fruition even with some injuries to key members.

• JR WR Beau Kelly leads the team in receptions (62), receiving yards (855) and touchdowns (9).
• Though he missed the Idaho game with illness, FR WR Darien Chase has become a starter and has 45 receptions. He has 508 receiving yards, three touchdowns and had a 100-yard game at Hawai'i... Chase had a career-high nine receptions for 73 yards and a TD at Sacramento State.
• FR WR Nate Bennett has 45 receptions for 591 yards and four TDs and has started all 10 games. He picked up his first 100-yard game with six receptions for 106 yards against Western Oregon... against Weber State, Bennett made a season-high nine grabs for 83 yards... Bennett was recently named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List for National Freshman of the Year.
• JR WR Mataio Talalemotu was unavailable for three games and played briefly at Southern Utah. He came back strong at Idaho, making career-highs of 12 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yarder... this season, he has 32 catches for 465 yards and three TDs in seven games... Talalemotu passed 1,000 career receiving yards at Hawai'i... he now has 92 receptions for 1,418 yards and 10 TDs in his career. 

EXTRA SPECIAL TEAMS

Vikings special teams are strong once again in 2021:

• SR P Seth Vernon continues to impress. He has a 44.9 yard average and nine punts of over 50 yards. He ranks fifth in the Big Sky. Vernon had a long of 59 yards at Hawai'i, 56 yards at Washington State, 58 yards against Western Oregon, 55 against Montana State, 65 at Southern Utah and 57 at Sacramento State.
• 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 25-25 on extra points and 5-7 on field goals. He made a 41-yard field goal against Montana State, then 35 and 28 yarders at Southern Utah, and a 20-yarder against Idaho State... Smith nailed a career-best 49-yard field goal at Weber State.
• 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 14.4 for the season. He leads the Big Sky Conference.
• JR WR Marquis Spiker is averaging 19.2 yards per kick return. 

BUILT TO LAST

The Vikings start six freshmen, have eight making major contributions, and have played 23 freshmen this season. Top freshmen so far include: WR Nate Bennett (10 starts, 45 receptions, 591 yards, 4 TD); LB Parker McKenna (10 starts, team-high 80 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 FR); OLs Richard Estrella (10 starts) and D'Angalo Titiali'i (6 starts); WR Darien Chase (7 starts, 45 receptions, 508 yards, 3 TDs); LB Justice Pagan (4 starts, 33 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2 SKs, 2 PBUs); DB Tyreese Shakir (7 starts, 28 tackles, 1 SK, 2 INT, 2 FRs, 4 PBUs, 1 TD); K Gianni Smith (5-7 FGs, 25-25 PAT). 

VETERANS

• CAREER GAMES PLAYED: Semise Kofe, DT, 43; Daniel Giannosa, OL/TE, 41; Nicolas Ah Sam, LB, 40; Davis Alexander, QB, 39; Jake Porter, DE, 34; Anthony Adams, CB, 34; Brady Brick, OL, 34; Noah Yunker, DE, 31; Beau Kelly, 31
• CAREER STARTS: Davis Alexander, QB, 36; Anthony Adams, CB, 34; Beau Kelly, WR, 30; Cody Williams, K, 27; Nicolas Ah Sam, 27; Mataio Talalemotu, 24, Seth Vernon 24
• CONSECUTIVE STARTS: Anthony Adams, CB, 34; Davis Alexander, 32; Seth Vernon, P, 24; Beau Kelly, WR, 23 

GET ON THE BUS: THE AMERICANA TOUR

Portland State Football Coach Bruce Barnum is renowned for taking his team on the bus to as many road games as possible. He calls it "The Americana Tour." It has made for some long bus rides, but Barnum often lets his team out to see the sights. Barnum also feels it promotes team unity (and saves a few dollars in the budget). In the past six years, PSU has logged 23,298 bus miles with a "program record" of 4,906 in 2016.
 
In 2021, the Americana Tour began with a bus ride to Washington State. The round-trip to Pullman was 775 miles... the Vikings flew to Las Vegas, then bussed up to Cedar City for a game with Southern Utah. A team photo in front of the legendary "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign was part of the journey. Following a PSU win, the busses took a celebratory cruise down the Las Vegas strip at midnight on the return trip. That round trip was 342 miles... Portland State made the 6+-hour bus drive to Idaho on Oct. 9 (via an overnight stay in Spokane), totaling 791 miles round trip... last week, the Vikings made the round trip bus ride Sacramento to take on the Hornets for a total of 1,058 miles. That increased the season bus miles to 2,966.