Game 4

#13 MONTANA STATE BOBCATS (2-1) at PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (1-2)

Saturday, September 25, 2021, 2:05 p.m., Hillsboro Stadium (7,200), Hillsboro, OR
TV/LIVE STREAMING: ESPN+ • Play-by-play: Matt Richert • Analyst: Scott Hermo
LIVE STATS: www.ViksLive.com
Game notes in pdf

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ALL-TIME SERIES

Montana State leads 21-10 • MSU leads 8-7 in Portland • MSU leads 13-3 in Bozeman
Montana State leads the Big Sky series 14-7 • Series tied 5-5 in Portland • MSU leads 9-2 in Bozeman

BIG SKY SEASON OPENS WITH FORMIDABLE FOE

Portland State couldn't ask for a more challenging opener to its Big Sky Conference season than the 13th-ranked Montana State Bobcats. The Vikings host the 'Cats on Saturday at Hillsboro Stadium in 2:05 p.m. game presented by OnPoint Community Credit Union.
     
MSU is just a whisker shy of being undefeated, having beaten Drake and San Diego and taking a narrow loss to FBS Wyoming, 19-16. The Bobcats have also held recent mastery over the Vikings, winning the last two meetings and 10 of the last 11 overall. Traditionally known for good defense, ball control offense and mistake-free play, Montana State poses a big test for the Vikings.
     
Portland State comes off a 21-7 home-opening win over Western Oregon last Saturday. The Vikings had solid defense throughout, allowing only 106 yards in the first half, 278 yards overall, and pitching a shutout until the final minutes before a penalty-aided drive helped the Wolves get to the endzone for their only score.
     
Through three games Portland State has established a solid passing attack behind SR QB Davis Alexander. It has evolved with newcomers as veteran talents SR WR Emmanuel Daigbe and JR WR Mataio Talalemotu have combined to play in only one game between them. JR slot Beau Kelly is one of the top receivers in the Big Sky Conference with 20 receptions for 344 yards and four touchdowns. FR WRs Darien Chase (20-237-0) and Nate Bennett (17-166-2) have taken over as starters.
     
A strong defensive effort against Western Oregon has balanced the Vikings team numbers as they average and allow virtually the same amount of offense (438 yards per game) and they produce. After forcing five turnovers against a pair of FBS programs, the Vikings did not get one against the Wolves.
     
PSU will need to limit their own turnovers (already seven through three games) and hope the penalty-fest against WOU was an aberration (13, after having only eight combined in the first two games).
     
One thing is certain as the Vikings open Big Sky Conference play: after battling teams from the Mountain West and Pac-12 Conferences, then a Division II opponent, we still won't know who the 2021 Vikings are until they get into the midst of league games and FCS competition.

This week's football game, and all Vikings games, are available to watch on ESPN+. Live stats can be found at www.ViksLive.com.

SCOUTING THE BOBCATS

A change of leadership has not meant a change in the results at Montana State. Brent Vigen took over as Head Coach last spring and he has led the Bobcats into a successful start to the 2021 season.
     
MSU's last season of play, 2019, was an 11-4 ledger and deep run into the FCS playoffs. So far this season, the Bobcats came within a few points of an upset of FBS Wyoming, losing 19-16, then blew out a pair of FCS opponents in Drake and San Diego by a combined score of 97-7.
     
Traditionally, defense has been a Montana State trademark. This year, the Bobcats allow only 259.7 yards and 12 points per game. Linebacker Troy Anderson, an All-American candidate, leads the team with 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and three pass breakups. Defensive end Daniel Hardy has five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries.
     
Quarterback Matthew McKay has led an efficient and nearly mistake-free offense. He is 50-75 passing for 680 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. His main target is Lance McCutcheon, who has 15 receptions for 253 yards and two TDs.
     
Veteran running back Isaiah Ifanse has 45 carries for 272 yards and two scores.
     
MSU has only one turnover and 11 penalties through three games.

LAST WEEK: DEFENSE PACES VIKINGS TO HOME OPENING WIN, 21-7

Portland State opened its home schedule with a methodical but convincing victory over Western Oregon 21-7. The teams dodged rain storms and penalty flags all day, but PSU came out the clear victor... PSU out-gained the Wolves 417 yards to 278. However, the Vikings also out-gained Western in penalty yards, with 112 to the Wolves 85. There were 23 accepted penalties in all... the first half was a bit of a surprise for the fans, and likely the teams as it was a defensive struggle... the Vikings went 90 yards for a score in their first series, but the remainder of the half was scoreless. PSU was pass heavy, with Davis Alexander completing 14-23 for 159 yards. The Vikings had 210 yards of total offense by halftime, but were stopped near midfield on two occasions and also missed a pair of field goal attempts... Western Oregon had only 106 yards of offense and five punts in the half. Portland State linebacker Broderick Harrell had nine tackles, a sack and a pass breakup to lead the defensive effort... the difference was the Beau Kelly nine-yard touchdown reception on PSU's first series of the game... in the midst of a downpour to open the second half, the Vikings took the ball downfield for their second score. Alexander took advantage of the Wolves defense with his cadence, drawing them offside three times. A late hit penalty on an Alexander scramble also hurt Western. When Malik Walker rushed in from a yard out, PSU took a two-touchdown lead... later in the quarter, Kelly grabbed his second touchdown reception of the day, an 18-yarder in the back of the endzone. With PSU up 21-0 and 2:22 to play in the third, the Vikings had the game in hand... it was almost a four-touchdown lead as PSU drove to the Western 14 early in the 4th quarter, but Luis Vicino picked off an Alexander pass in the endzone... the Wolves finally got on the board with 4:16 to play as quarterback Ryan Worthley connected with Damon Hickok on a six-yard touchdown pass... Alexander finished with 295 yards passing on 23-37 completions. He threw for two TDs and had the one interception. Darian Chase caught eight passes for 73 yards. Nate Bennett added six receptions for 106 yards... Malik Walker led the ground game with 18 carries, a career-high 89 yards and one score... Harrell finished with a team-high 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Defensive end VJ Malo had five tackles and two quarterback sacks... PSU is now 19-0 against lower division schools since moving to the NCAA I FCS level and the Big Sky Conference in 1996. 

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

JR WR Beau Kelly continues to be an all-around contributor for the Vikings. He had 92 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in the win over Western Oregon, gaining yards receiving, rushing and on punt returns.

• Kelly leads the Vikings and the Big Sky Conference in receiving with 20 receptions for 344 yards and four touchdowns... he also has eight rushing yards, 36 punt return yards and 25 passing yards this season.
• He ranks sixth in the nation with 114.7 receiving yards per game.
• 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 66 receptions for 997 yards and seven touchdowns in 24 games. He also has 142 career punt return yards, 72 career passing yards, and 63 career rushing yards. 

MALO-IFICENT TO OFFENSES

JR DE VJ Malo has become a destructive force to offenses early in the season. Malo has 13 tackles this season, seven of which are tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. He also has a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Malo had two sacks at Hawai'i, 1.5 sacks at Washington State and two sacks against Western Oregon. He ranks fifth in the nation in sacks and six in tackles for loss. 

IT TAKES A THIEF

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

• Adams now has 10 career takeaways (2 FR, 8 INT).
• Opponents have notably stayed away from his side of the field. He has nine tackles, including one for loss 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 three games even with a few of the key members unavailable.

• JR WR Beau Kelly leads the Big Sky in receptions (20) and receiving yards (344) and has four touchdowns.
• FR WR Darien Chase has become a starter and has matched Kelly with 20 receptions. He has 237 receiving yards to rank eighth in the Big Sky. Chase had a 100-yard game at Hawai'i.
• FR WR Nate Bennett has 17 receptions for 266 yards and two TDs and has started all three games. He picked up his first 100-yard game with six receptions for 106 yards against Western Oregon.
• JR WR Mataio Talalemotu was unavailable the past two games, but he passed 1,000 career receiving yards at Hawai'i. Talalemotu now has 60 receptions for 1,012 yards and eight TDs.
• Junior transfer wide receivers Marquis Spiker (Washington) and Job Dockery (Oregon State) are being incorporated in the offense after each played in their first game at Washington State.

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 three games this season and 29 career starts.

• Alexander is 73-133 passing for 988 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Alexander ranks second in the Big Sky in passing yards per game (329.3) and total offense (356.3). He ranks seventh and sixth in the nation, respectively, in both categories.
• Alexander passed Chris Crawford (1985-87, 7,258 yards) for third place all-time in total offense behind only Neil Lomax (1977-2000, 13,345) and Jimmy Blanchard (1997-2000, 8,509) in Portland State history. Alexander now has 8,303 yards.
• Alexander has passed for 988 yards through three games. He went by Drew Hubel (2007-11, 6,678) for fourth place in passing yards in PSU history. He trails only Neil Lomax (1977-1980, 13,220), Jimmy Blanchard (1997-2000, 8,455) and Chris Crawford (1985-87, 7,543). Alexander has 7,128 passing yards.
• With seven passing touchdowns, Alexander is now fifth all-time with 49 in his career at PSU. He has accounted for 69 career touchdowns (including 20 rushing).
• Alexander has moved into fifth in completions in Portland State history. He is now 515-923 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.

DIAMONDS ON DEFENSE

Some top performances by the Viking defense through three 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.
• JR CB Anthony Adams has three takeaways with a recovered a fumble and two interceptions. He is tied for the lead in the Big Sky and ranks 20th in the nation in picks.
• JR DE VJ Malo has seven tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks. He is third in TFLs and fourth in sacks in the Big Sky.
• FR LB Parker McKenna leads the Vikings with 20 total tackles and a tackle for loss. FB LB Justice Pagan has 16 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack.
• The Viking defense has forced five turnovers and made 10 sacks. 

EXTRA SPECIAL TEAMS

Vikings special teams are strong once again in 2021:

• SR P Seth Vernon continues to impress. He has a 46.2 yard average and five punts of over 50 yards. Vernon had a long of 59 yards at Hawai'i, 56 yards at Washington State and 58 yards against Western Oregon. Vernon ranks 10th in the nation.
• JR K Cody Williams has made 11-11 extra points, extending his school-record streak to 94 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 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.