Just four practices into fall camp for the Portland State Vikings and things got a little spicy during live plays. A couple of scuffles broke out on Monday, players were separated, and practice moved on.
 
Rough-housing is a not uncommon sight on the practice field as players are battling for reps and playing time. As a coach you like the aggression, but sometimes you have to draw the line.
 
"You are battling, competing... the natural reaction of youth is to fight back," said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum. "It's a violent game. You have to be able to control it. We explain to them, that's 15 yards and you will miss the next game. You have to control your emotions."
 
And so, the learning continues as Portland State prepares for its season opener at Washington State on Aug. 31. By all accounts, the preparation is going well as a record 116 players are in camp for the Vikings.
 
"Our numbers are up with (116 players). That's a big number. We had to go downstairs and clean out a closet just to put some more lockers in," said Barnum.
 
Last year's player count was just over 100, so the depth is noticeable, particularly on defense. The Vikings have beefed up the defensive backfield and defensive line.
 
"We've got to make the other team punt. I have made sure we have depth there," said Barnum.
 
"The athleticism in our back end is impressive. (Safety) Zach Wusstig is bigger, stronger and he is healthy now. He is different, and he is showing it already. He is a hell of a safety."
 
Wusstig had 10 tackles and two pass breakups last season at Oregon and Wyoming as a true freshman. But a shoulder injury at Wyoming knocked him out for the season. His return is important to the Vikings.
 
Barnum also gave kudos to the play of his senior cornerbacks, four-year man Tyreese Shakir, and senior transfer Jamal McMurrin, who is originally from West Salem. He said sophomore linebacker Peyton Wing has also stepped up his game. On the defense line, another transfer, Sosefo "Joe" Moeaki, a native Portlander who played at Nevada last year, has been a big add.
 
"Up front, we added Joe and he is going to help us. I didn't realize how fast he was," said Barnum of the 290-pound defensive tackle.
 
On the offensive side, some newcomers should be prominent as well. Wide receiver transfers Branden Alvarez and Terence Loville from San Jose State have caught the attention of their new coach.
 
"Our two San Jose State guys and (sophomore Jaylen Lynch) are doing well as wide receiver. They are some athletes.
 
"On the O-line, I'll give a shout out to our center, Jake Cooper," continued Barnum. "(Coach Matt Leunen) came to me and said 'this guy is a dude.' Right now, he is running center for us and I am impressed."
 
Cooper, just a sophomore from Milwaukie, OR, played in 10 games last season as a backup and on special teams.

A FEW THOUGHTS FROM BARNY FOLLOWING MONDAY'S PRACTICE.
On finding a way to get enough snaps for all nine quarterbacks on the roster: "We don't get enough snaps. We have chosen a group of four to find that number-two guy (behind Dante Chachere). The other five aren't getting a lot of reps right now. Some of them will be involved in special teams because they are athletic and we need to get them on the football field. I've talked to all of them about being ready. If you do get your shot, you have to be ready to go."
 
On the team's off-season training: "The key was the off-season. We needed to be a bigger, more physical football team. It started the day they got back from Christmas, working on their nutrition and strength. According to the weight room staff, the team is averaging four pounds bigger than last year.
 
"That will help us, keep us healthier, and make us stronger on the field. We are fast too, but we need to be ready to go up against 12 fast football teams. It's time for all that to pay off."
 
His fifth-year seniors: "The leadership of (defensive lineman) Kennedy Freeman and (quarterback) Dante Chachere has been big."
 
Portland State Football Practice Schedule (times tentative)
Tues, Aug. 6    10:15 a.m.-Noon
Wed, Aug. 7    10:15 a.m.-Noon
Thurs, Aug. 8   10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Fri, Aug. 9        10:15 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
Sat, Aug. 10     10 a.m.-Noon (Scrimmage)
 
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