In one hour of football on Friday morning a lot happened and a lot was revealed as the Portland State Vikings had their first full scrimmage of the spring. Even Portland State University President Ann Cudd was an interested bystander at Stott Community Field, speaking to the team just before the scrimmage began.
 
Within a span of 75 plays, the defense continued its spring trend of forcing turnovers, picking up three from the offense. In addition, there were four pass breakups, three sacks, and several pressures to a group of Viking quarterbacks battling for position on the depth chart.
 
"It was a tale of two halves," said Vikings Coach Bruce Barnum. "The defense got after it in the first half, the ball was on the ground… good for the defense. In the second half, the offense responded.
 
"As a head coach, I was proud of the defense in the first half. We need another 30 minutes out of them. I told them, 'If they play like that first half, we will win every game.' The offense maintained a calm intensity, bit their lip, then came out in the second half and scored some points."
 
The defense kept the offense out of the endzone on the first eight series of the scrimmage. The biggest threat by the offense came on a 61-yard drive engineered by redshirt freshman Tyrese Smith. The "O" got all the way to first-and-goal at the four-yard line when redshirt freshman defensive lineman Herbert Ware forced a fumble, recovered by another redshirt freshman, defensive back DaMari Washington.
 
Other series stops included a fumble recovery by junior defensive end Spencer Elliott and an interception by redshirt freshman safety Elyjah Gordon. A sack by junior defensive tackle Elias Sanders ended a fourth-down attempt in another Viking drive. Elliott and junior defensive lineman Jayden Sandusky had sacks as well.
 
Leading tacklers with six each were junior linebacker Peyton Wing and redshirt freshman safety Pierce Walker.
 
All that said, the offense had its moments, particularly later in the scrimmage, and one constant remains – the quarterbacks can run. Going back to Coach Bruce Barnum's first signal caller 15 seasons ago – Connor Kavanaugh – and going through players like Alex Kuresa, Davis Alexander and Dante Chachere, the dual threat QB tradition continues at PSU.
 
A pair of redshirt freshmen proved that out. Cru Newman had the most total yards for the day, completing 6-9 passes for 70 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He rushed seven times for 62 yards, including a 32-yard run and a five-yard rushing touchdown. Tyrese Smith completed 4-5 passes for 32 yards and rushed six times for 41 yards.
 
Sophomore transfer quarterback John-Keawe Sagapolutele had seven completions in 11 attempts for 43 yards and a score.
 
Sophomore wide receiver Eric Denham caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Newman, and had four receptions for 49 yards overall. Junior wide receiver Jaylen Lynch caught two passes for 27 yards with a 12-yard scoring grab that ended the scrimmage.
 
The Vikings offense scored four times in the final six possessions, with three series starting across midfield. The other score came from senior running back Jacques Badolato-Birdsell, who rushed in from seven yards out and had seven total carries for 41 yards.
 
The team will now rest a few days before getting back at it next week. Another scrimmage comes next Saturday, Apr. 19 at 10 a.m.
 
SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE 
Mon., Apr. 14  8-10 a.m.
Wed., Apr. 16  8-10 a.m.
Fri., Apr. 18     8-10 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 19    10-Noon, scrimmage
 
Mon., Apr. 21  8-10 a.m.
Wed., Apr. 23  8-10 a.m.
Fri., Apr. 25     8-9 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 26    10 a.m.-Noon, Spring Game
 
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