Leadership starts at the top, and you won't find a better example of that then at Portland State Football's Saturday Spring Game at Stott Community Field. The defense beat the offense 36-27 in a modified scoring system that was more for fun than anything meaningful. It was the other moments that made the day.
 
First, the leader: Portland State President Ann Cudd was on hand for the ceremonial coin flip, along with PSU benefactors Peter Stott and Greg Madden. Then, Cudd helped call plays in the first series of the scrimmage. Cudd, er… quarterback Gabe Downing, led the Viking offense on a 13-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in a two-yard touchdown run by Delon Thompson.
 
Next, the competition: The Viking defense was staked to a 26-0 lead to start the game. But the offense came out energized. The Vikings scored on their first three drives, and four of the first five, to lead 27-26 by the end of the first half. But the defense was undeterred. Including a stop at the end of the half, the defense rolled through the second half and made eight straight defensive stops. A pair of forced turnovers, including a game-ending pick-six interception by Isaac Redford, gave the defense a 36-27 "victory."
 
So, while the offense was able to produce four 65-yard scoring drives, the defense responded in a big way through the second half of the scrimmage.
 
"It's a four-quarter ball game," said first-year Head Coach Chris Fisk. "You've got to play the whole game. Now, offensively there was a little pulling guys out who played early but didn't play late, but I thought the guys were competitive all day. I was proud of the effort, and we got out (of the game) healthy. Fundamentally, we were pretty good today, just a little sloppy with penalties."
 
Finally, the energy: Portland State Football brought in bleachers, food, music, merchandise and more to set the tone for approximately 1,000 fans that attended the game. A dressed-up Stott Field, the on-campus practice facility, had everyone excited about what lay ahead in 2026.
 
On the field, the Vikings got a 33-yard touchdown run from quarterback Tyrese Smith, a 41-yard TD pass from John-Keawe Sagapolutele to Derrick Blanche Jr., and a 30-yard scoring reception by Tanner Beaman from Downing.
 
Redford, a transfer safety, had six tackles to go with his interception. The defense had four sacks as a whole and DaMari Washington blocked an extra point.
 
Fisk was pleased with the leadership, the competition and the energy. Following the scrimmage, he stressed to his team how far they have come since they all first got together and met for the first time in January.
 
"We need to celebrate the moments," Fisk said. "One of the things we do in football is move on too quickly. They need to celebrate all their achievements to this point, then get back at it on Monday. We are out of phase one and on to phase two, then phase three comes this fall.
 
"This shows the potential of what we can do on the Park Blocks."
 
 
Summarizing his first spring with the Vikings, Fisk said, "I feel like we are on schedule. We will enjoy tonight but there is a lot of work starting tomorrow. We'll get back after it, hit the road recruiting, get these guys back in the summer and keep grinding away as we head to fall camp."
 
2026 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 29, UC DAVIS*
Sept. 5, at San Diego State
Sept. 12, NORTH DAKOTA
Sept. 18, at Oregon (Friday)
Sept. 26, at Weber State*
Oct. 3, bye
Oct. 10, UTAH TECH*
Oct. 17, at Northern Arizona*
Oct. 24, at Idaho State*
Oct. 31, IDAHO*
Nov. 7, at Montana*
Nov. 13, SOUTHERN UTAH* (Friday)
Nov. 21, at Eastern Washington*
 
*Big Sky Conference game
Home games at Hillsboro Stadium
Game times and TV information TBA