The 2026 Portland State Football season gets an early start with the opening of practice on July 29 at Stott Community Field on the PSU campus. The Vikings, under new Head Coach Chris Fisk, will practice at 9:15 a.m. that day leading up to an Aug. 29 home opener against nationally-ranked UC Davis.
 
Portland State scrimmage dates are Aug. 8 and Aug. 15. The Aug. 8 scrimmage will take place at Hillsboro Stadium while the Aug. 15 scrimmage will be at Stott.
 
Fisk, and an entirely new coaching staff, will lead a roster of 108 players into the season. Some 65 are newcomers as PSU has 29 returning letterwinners and 14 redshirts returning. PSU will be led by a solid returning group on offense, including seven returning starters. Running back Delon Thompson, tight end Tanner Beaman, and wide receivers Terence Loville, Cru Newman and Jaylen Lynch are talented, experienced skill position players who have all been starters. The Vikings also have three starters back on the offensive line with Pule Leatigaga, James Minot and Semisi Latu. Quarterbacks John-Keawe Sagapolutele, Tyrese Smith and Gabe Downing all have experience as starters with Sagapolutele and Smith handling most of the snaps in 2025.
 
Defensively, the Vikings will have a lot more to replace with only one returning starter. But he is a good one. Linebacker Jaxton Helmstetler started every game last season and made 71 tackles.
 
Fisk comes to PSU after a successful seven-year tenure at NCAA II Central Washington where he compiled a 48-22 record, including 38-7 in conference play. He won three conference titles, led four teams to the playoffs and earned three Coach of the Year honors.
 
Portland State Football will take part in the Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff this Sunday and Monday at Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Spokane. Fisk, Helmstetler and Loville will represent the Vikings. They can be seen, talking Viking Football, on ESPN+ in the Big Sky Football Kickoff Show on Monday beginning at 11:49 a.m.
 
PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL PRACTICE
(times tentative, media availabilities following practices)
Wed., July 29        9:15-11:15 a.m.
Thurs., July 30       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Fri., July 31            Off Day
Sat, Aug. 1             9:15-11:15 a.m.
Sun., Aug. 2           9:15-11:15 a.m.
 
Mon., Aug. 3         3:30-5:30 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 4         Off Day
Wed., Aug. 5         9:15-11:15 a.m.
Thurs., Aug. 6        9:15-11:15 a.m.
Fri., Aug. 7             11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 8            9-11 a.m., scrimmage at Hillsboro Stadium
Sun., Aug. 9           Off Day
 
Mon., Aug. 10       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Tues., Aug. 11       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Wed., Aug. 12       Off Day
Thurs., Aug. 13      9:15-11:15 a.m.
Fri., Aug. 14           9:15-11:15 a.m.
Sat. Aug. 15           1-3 p.m., scrimmage at Stott Community Field
Sun., Aug. 16         2-3 p.m.
 
Mon, Aug. 17        Off Day
Tues., Aug. 18       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Wed., Aug. 19       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Thurs., Aug. 20      9:15-11:15 a.m.
Fri., Aug. 21           9:15-11:15 a.m.
Sat., Aug. 22          3:15-4:30 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 23         Off Day
 
Mon., Aug. 24       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Tues., Aug. 25       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Wed., Aug. 26       9:15-11:15 a.m.
Thurs., Aug. 27      9:15-11:15 a.m.
Fri., Aug. 28           11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 29          Game vs. UC Davis, Noon, Hillsboro Stadium