Game 5

PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (1-3, 0-1) at SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS (1-3, 0-1)

Saturday, October 2, 2021, 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT, Eccles Coliseum (10,000), Cedar City, UT
LIVE STREAMING: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: www.suutbirds.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

Complete notes in pdf

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THE ALL-TIME SERIES

PSU leads 10-4 • PSU leads 7-1 in Portland • The series is tied 3-3 in Cedar City
SUU leads the Big Sky series 3-2 • PSU is 2-1 in Portland • SUU is 2-0 in Cedar City 

STORYLINES

• DISTANT COUSINS: Although this is Southern Utah's 10th season in the Big Sky Conference, Portland State has only played the Thunderbirds as a conference opponent five times previously. PSU seeks a first-ever conference win in Cedar City (0-2).
• BYE-BYE: Southern Utah will leave the Big Sky Conference following the 2021-22 athletics season, moving to the Western Athletic Conference.
• PARALLEL COURSE: Portland State and Southern Utah go into this week's game with the exact same records (1-3, 0-1) and have gone L, L, W, L through four weeks. Both schools opened the season losing at Mountain West Conference, then Pac-12 Conference schools. Both schools also lost their Big Sky Conference opener at home to a nationally-ranked team last Saturday.
• THE GOOD OLD DAYS: PSU and SUU were Western Football Conference foes from 1986-92 when both schools played at the Division II level. The Vikings went 6-1 in those seven matchups. 

FINAL BIG SKY MATCHUP MAY BE KEY TO 2021 SEASON

A pair of hungry teams looking to kick-start their Big Sky Conference season will meet up this Saturday in Cedar City, UT when Portland State travels to face Southern Utah. Both teams are 1-3 overall, 0-1 in Big Sky Conference play after losing league openers at home last week to nationally-ranked opponents.
     
The Vikings battled well against 13th-ranked Montana State for 44 minutes, but the Bobcats took a lead late in the third quarter and went on to win 30-17. MSU's defense got two key fourth-quarter stops when the Vikings traveled deep into Bobcat territory.
     
It was a little different for the Thunderbirds, as they were overwhelmed by sixth-ranked Eastern Washington's dynamic passing game, falling 50-21. The Eagles passed for 554 yards in the game.
     
Now, both programs know a week-two win is key to being a factor in the 2021 Big Sky Conference race.
     
Portland State's passing game (327.5 yards per game, 8th in the nation) will try to make an impact on a SUU defense that has given up 352.8 yards per game through the air and 518.6 yards overall.
     
PSU has a 10-2 series advantage all-time against Southern Utah, but the Thunderbirds lead 3-2 in Big Sky Conference games, including 2-0 in Cedar City.
     
Saturday's game marks the final time the schools will meet as Big Sky Conference competitors. The Thunderbirds are moving to the Western Athletic Conference in 2022. Kickoff this Saturday is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT. The game can be viewed on ESPN+.     

SCOUTING THE THUNDERBIRDS

Southern Utah has run a similar course to Portland State this season, losing to a pair of FBS programs to open the season, picking up a week-three win, then losing its Big Sky Conference opener to a nationally-ranked team.
 
Sixth-year Head Coach Demario Warren leads the 1-3, 0-1 Thunderbirds. SUU averages 319.8 yards and 22.3 points per game. The T-Birds allow 518.6 yards and 42.3 points per game.
     
Junior college transfer quarterback Justin Miller engineers an efficient, short passing attack, completing 62% of his throws for an average of 9.6 yards per catch. He throws for 201.5 yards per game.     
 
Linebacker La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis has 31 tackles, two sacks and an interception this season to lead the Thunderbird defense. Defensive lineman Francis Bemiy has eight tackles for loss among his 21 stops.
     
Punter Jake Gerardi ranks third in the nation with a 48.9 per punt average. 

LAST MEETING, Oct. 5, 2019: Portland State 52, Southern Utah 31

Hillsboro, OR - Opportunity knocked and the Vikings answered.
     
Portland State took advantage of virtually everything they earned or were given and the result was a relatively easy 52-31 Big Sky Conference win over Southern Utah.
     
The Vikings scored 10 points on their first two drives of the day, then when opportunities arose the rest of the way they took advantage. Excellent field position after defensive stops and a pair of forced turnovers in the second quarter led to a 28-point run by the Vikings allowed them to go to halftime with a 38-10 lead.
     
"We wanted to start fast and take care of the football, because our start last week buried us," said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum. "To come out against them and not have any turnovers, that's great, they had forced 10 in five games.
     
"We got those short fields and we scored touchdowns. We were able to run the football. The field position, forcing turnovers… it all led to a "W"."
     
Portland State engineered the quality start they needed. The first two possessions resulted in 10 points – a 37-yard field goal by Cody Williams, and a two-yard touchdown run by Sirgeo Hoffman. Sandwiched in between was a key fourth-down stop by the Viking defense after Southern Utah had driven to the PSU 29.
     
The Vikings exploded in the second quarter, scoring four touchdowns in the span of 7:31, aided by two forced turnovers. Quarterback Davis Alexander ran for one touchdown and threw two more. One was a 16-yarder to Beau Kelly, the other a 46-yard pass to Davis Koetter late in the half. Koetter also figured in the Vikings' second TD of the four in a row. He recovered a muffed punt return by the Thunderbirds on the SUU 19. Two plays later, Emmanuel Daigbe rushed in from 11 yards out.
     
PSU amassed 306 yards in the first half and led 38-10 at halftime. The Thunderbirds had 154 yards, but the two turnovers led to a pair of Viking TDs.
     
The Thunderbirds scored a touchdown on their first possession of the second half to close within 38-17. But the Vikings controlled possession and the clock from there. A pair of touchdown drives – one in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter – chewed up more than 11 minutes of clock time. That simply didn't allow Southern Utah enough opportunities to come back.
     
Alexander finished with another big day, passing for 234 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 80 yards and another score.
     
"He's a magnificent player, a great leader, and he is fun to watch. If we protect him like that, don't let him get hit, he is going to help us win some games," Barnum said of his quarterback.
     
Alexander was a part of an effective Viking running game led by Hoffman. The senior tailback had a career-high 24 carries for 81 yards and two short TD runs. Malik Walker rushed for 40 yards and Evyn Holtz had 28 yards as PSU totaled 239 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
     
Koetter caught five passes for a career-high 108 yards and a score.
     
Defensive end Jake Porter led the Vikings with eight tackles. Linebacker Dylan Hanley made seven stops. Freshman linebacker Zack Mandera had five tackles, including a forced fumble and recovery. Anthony Adams picked up a key second-quarter interception that the Viking offense later turned into a touchdown.
     
PSU out-gained the Thunderbirds 473 to 394. SUU quarterback Chris Helbig completed 31-41 passes for 302 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, but most of his damage came after the first half. 

LAST WEEK: MSU COMES BACK WITH THREE SECOND HALF TDS

Montana State took advantage of its powerful running game and tailback Isaiah Ifanse in the second half, coming from behind to beat Portland State, 30-17... MSU's defense came in with the impressive resume, but it was PSU's defense that made the biggest impression in the first half. The Bobcats were able to move the ball across midfield, but unable to get near the goal line. MSU settled for three first-half field goals from Blake Glessner from 34, 41, and 39 yards. The Viking defense also got three three-and-outs defensively and an interception by Semaj Bolin... On the Viking side, quarterback Davis Alexander was effective, completing 9-17 passes for 132 yards and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Nate Bennett. Gianni Smith, the Vikings' backup kicker, was pressed into duty and converted a 41-yarder. That had PSU ahead 10-9 at halftime... Montana State was able to grab its first lead of the day following a 45-yard punt return by Coy Steel in the third quarter. With a penalty tacked on, MSU was at the Viking 9-yard line. It took only one run by Ifanse to put the Bobcats on top, 16-10, at the 9:08 mark of the second half... The Vikings answered back with a 75-yard drive, culminating in a one-yard scoring run by Malik Walker. The key play was a 41-yard strike by Alexander to wide receiver Marquis Spiker, all the way to the Montana State two-yard line. PSU was back on top 17-16 with 4:39 to go in the third... On MSU's next series, wide receiver Lance McCutcheon made three receptions of eight, 25 and 20 yards from quarterback Matt McKay. The final grab went for a touchdown and the Bobcats finally had the lead for good with just a minute to go in the third quarter... McKay tacked on another touchdown at the 9:03 mark of the fourth quarter, hitting Jaharie Martin for a nine-yard score. Montana State led 30-17 and it was desperation time for the Vikings... Portland State's only two drives of the fourth quarter ended in Montana State territory at the 22 and 18-yard lines. When PSU needed touchdowns, the Bobcats held, making sacks to end both series. The first was by MSU's Brody Grebe, forcing an Alexander fumble that was recovered by Chase Benson. The second was by Amandre Williams on 4th and goal from the 18-yard line with 6:30 to play. With that stop, the Bobcats took over and ran out the clock... Ifanse led a rushing attack that gouged the Vikings for 254 yards. He had 217 on 30 carries, and the one score. McCutcheon had eight receptions for 161 yards and two scores. MSU went for 479 yards overall... The Viking passing attack was effective again with 297 total yards. Alexander threw for 266 yards and caught a 31-yarder on the first play from scrimmage. Beau Kelly had six receptions for 83 yards and threw the completion to Alexander. But PSU managed only 54 yards on the ground though, losing 26 on sacks. 

TURNOVER TROUBLE

Portland State had two turnovers against Montana State and forced only one. That leaves the Vikings with a -3 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). 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 101 all-purpose yards and a 31-yard pass completion against Montana State. He gained yards receiving, rushing and on punt returns... he also passed 1,000 career receiving yards against MSU in 25 career games.

• Kelly leads the Vikings and the Big Sky Conference in receptions (26), yards (426) and touchdowns (4)... he also has 12 rushing yards, 50 punt return yards and 56 passing yards this season.
• He ranks seventh in the nation with 106.8 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 72 receptions for 1,080 yards and seven touchdowns in 25 games. He also has 156 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 four 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)... his 27 career pass breakups ranks sixth all-time at PSU.
• Opponents have notably stayed away from his side of the field. He has 17 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 four games even with a few of the key members unavailable.

• JR WR Beau Kelly leads the Big Sky in receptions (26), receiving yards (426) and touchdowns (4).
• FR WR Darien Chase has become a starter and has matched Kelly with 26 receptions. He has 288 receiving yards to rank eighth in the Big Sky. Chase had a 100-yard game at Hawai'i.
• FR WR Nate Bennett has 21 receptions for 311 yards and three TDs and has started all four 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 three 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 WR Marquis Spiker (Washington) and JR WR George McCorley are also being incorporated as 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 four games this season and 30 career starts (see page 20 of these notes for career lists).

• Alexander is 91-165 passing for 1,254 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions. Alexander ranks second in the Big Sky in passing yards per game (313.5) and total offense (337.0). He ranks eighth and 10th in the nation, respectively, 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 8,582 yards.
• With 7,394 career passing yards, Alexander is now in fourth place 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).
• With eight passing touchdowns, Alexander is now fifth all-time with 50 in his career at PSU. He has accounted for 70 career touchdowns (including 20 rushing).
• Alexander has moved into fourth in completions in Portland State history. He is now 533-955 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. 

MALO-IFICENT OFFENSES

JR DE VJ Malo has become a destructive force to offenses early in the season. Malo has 16 tackles this season, 7.5 of which are tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 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 leads the Big Sky in sacks, ranks eighth in the nation in sacks and ninth in tackles for loss.

DIAMONDS ON DEFENSE

Some top performances by the Viking defense through four 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.
• JR CB Anthony Adams has three takeaways with a recovered fumble and two interceptions. He is tied for the lead in the Big Sky and ranks 26th in the nation in picks.
• JR DE VJ Malo has 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He is fifth in TFLs and first in sacks in the Big Sky.
• FR LB Parker McKenna leads the Vikings with 30 total tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. FB LB Justice Pagan has 21 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack.
• SR DT Semise Kofe made a career-high eight tackles and a sack against Montana State.
• FR CB Semaj Bolin made the first big play of his career with an interception against Montana State.
• The Viking defense has forced six turnovers and made 12 sacks. 

EXTRA SPECIAL TEAMS

Vikings special teams are strong once again in 2021:

• SR P Seth Vernon continues to impress. He has a 47.1 yard average and seven punts of over 50 yards. Vernon had a long of 59 yards at Hawai'i, 56 yards at Washington State, 58 yards against Western Oregon and 55 against Montana State. Vernon ranks sixth in the nation.
• JR K Cody Williams has 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 due to a hip injury. Smith has gone 3-3 on extra points and made a 41-yard field goal against Montana 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.

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 (McKenna 30, Pagan 21). FR WRs Darien Chase and Nate Bennett also started and rank 2-3 in receptions for the Vikings (Chase 22-288-0, Bennett 21-311-3).
     
FR CB Tyreese Shakir earned the start at rover against Montana State, becoming the sixth first-year man to get a start.
     
A total of 21 freshmen - true or redshirt - have seen action this season.