Portland State Coach Bruce Barnum made a bold, if a bit unrealistic, statement early during the Vikings spring practice schedule when he said, "I want a defense that stops the run, period. I don't want our offense to gain a yard on the run." An admirable goal. But no defense has accomplished that in the history of football.
 
Still, the Viking defense, which returns nine starters, 28 letterwinners and 10 redshirts is deep and talented. Stopping the run is all about the defensive line and Barnum has liked what he has seen from that group which includes some savvy veterans, some young players looking for an opportunity, and an interesting newcomer.
 
The Vikings have excellent experience at defensive end with the return of SR starters VJ Malo (6-1, 270) and Jake Porter (6-4, 250). Malo took the conference by storm last season, making 45 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and forcing three fumbles. He earned second team All-Big Sky Conference and should be primed for a big senior season.
 
Porter has played in 35 career games, making him one of the most experienced players on the team. He has 21 career starts at defensive end and a good knowledge of the Vikings' defensive system.
 
SR DT Moses Finau (6-1, 260) returns after making the move up front last year from linebacker, and transfer SR DT EJ Ane (6-2, 275) has opened some eyes with his play in practice.

"VJ, EJ, Moses and Jake are all running with the ones right now," said Defensive Coordinator Payam Saadat. "They are an experienced, explosive group. They aren't the most imposing by appearance, but they are quick and can change direction and cause havoc. They all can do what we want to do to get better against the run, and we need to get better against the run."
 
"It's great to have some veterans and guys taking on leadership roles," said Defensive Line Coach Mark Rhea. "When you see them teaching other guys that is when you know you are going to progress as a defensive line. Behind them, we have a lot of young pups that need experience."
 
Despite all his success last season, Malo and many around the Viking program feel he may have been a bit short-changed in post-season awards. The quarterback chaser is using that as fuel for his final season.
 
"I think about it every day. To not be recognized for some of the stuff I did on the field is a big motivator. It is no ones fault, but I want to make sure they feel it every week, and they are going to have no choice to put me up there with the best at the end of this season," Malo said.
 
Nose tackle is a position the Vikings need to fill. Veteran Semise Kofe, who anchored the nose tackle spot the past few seasons, has graduated.
 
Ane, an FBS transfer from San Jose State, is likely to have some say in replacing Kofe. Ane played in 28 games on the defensive line for San Jose State, making 68 career tackles. His size and experience brings a lot to the program.
 
"I don't think you replace Semise," said Rhea. "He is a unique individual and nose tackle. The guys taking the reps in his spot are different players with different skills sets. Semise is a 300+ pound guy who could eat up the middle. These guys are learning their skill set, whether it be quickness off the ball, attacking the gaps at the line of scrimmage.
 
"EJ is one of those guys playing in there. I didn't know what we had when he came here, but he did have great experience at a high level. So far, he has shown that he belongs and can make plays for us."
 
The only other player with experience at nose tackle is SO Martin Salazar (5-10, 285) who played in five games as a true freshman before an injury sidelined his season. SR Boogie Davis (6-3, 275) also has played some snaps at nose, as well as defensive end, but played in only two games last season due to injury. Those two are not available during the spring as they recover from injury. The Vikings also have RS SO Serge Rusnak and RS FR Jessie Brown vying for playing time at the spot.

At defensive end SO Kennedy Freeman (6-2, 240) has showed promise as a pass rusher, but was another Viking whose 2021 season was cut short by injury. RS JR Jayson Pace (6-1, 240) and RS FRs Slade Shufelt (6-3, 225) and Zane Maningo (6-2, 250) add depth.
 
All of these guys are trying to make a mark on the Viking coaching staff during the spring. They can do so by creating big plays. The Vikings had good numbers on defense last year with 81 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, 18 forced turnovers and 35 pass breakups in 11 games. But Saadat wants to see all those numbers go higher in 2022 and he is looking for his defensive line to create those opportunities.
 
"Disruption in the backfield is big against the run or the pass," he said. "Nowadays the way offenses are going for it on fourth down and taking chances downfield, whenever you can get disruption in the backfield is important. That turnover piece is going to change the game around."
 
MORE TO COME ON DEFENSE: On signing day, PSU added JR transfer Dino Kahaulelio (6-0, 285) from City College of San Francisco, and high schoolers Mike MacNeill (6-1, 280) and Elias Sanders (6-2, 265). They will join the defensive line in the fall.
 
2022 Portland State Football Spring Practice Schedule
Fri., Mar. 4          7:30-9:30 a.m.
Mon., Mar. 7       7:30-9:30 a.m.
Wed., Mar. 9       7:30-9:30 a.m.
Thur., Mar. 10     Spring Game, 6 p.m., Hillsboro Stadium