PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland State head football coach Chris Fisk implored his team to have a growth mindset over the next week after the team's first fall scrimmage last Saturday. Fast forward a week, and the Vikings looked like they took their coaches words to heart.
 
The defense stepped up from the last week with four interceptions while the Viking offense produced passing touchdowns of 60 and 70 yards.
 
"We're on track with where you'd want to be. I think every time we get to this point, the coaches always wish we were a little further ahead. And there's certainly some things with being a new coaching staff and a new group of kids that we're working through. But the beauty of Division I fall camp is we've got another week to go and we've got another week to clean things up before we get to game week," Fisk said.
 
"There's a lot of excitement heading into our final week of fall camp. Coaches and players should be happy with where we're at and where we're headed."
 
Saturday's second scrimmage of fall camp also featured more live action on special teams. Fisk noted his team's growth in that area. Place kicker Joshua Hossmann Lees connected on a 48-yard field goal towards the end of practice, while punter Emiliano Rodriguez produced multiple punts of 40+ yards.
 
"It was good to see those guys really step up in the third phase of the game. I think we're really started to grow there," Fisk said about his special team players.
 
Outside of special teams, the Vikings mixed up their lineups – the first-team offense going against the second-team defense and vice versa – while also mixing their pace of play (live, vs. thud, etc.).
 
The defense had the upper hand early in the scrimmage. Marcus Post snagged the first interception of the day, catching a ball that skipped off its intended receiver and taking it back 60+ yards for a defensive touchdown.
 
Post bookended the scrimmage with another interception near the goal line that he also returned for 60-70 yards.
 
Terahiti Wolfe and Isaac Redford both had interceptions in between Post's two. Both came in the end zone as the Vikings practiced red zone situations.
 
The offense responded well to the early turnovers forced by the defense. Gabe Downing came back after Wolfe's interception and threw a 21-yard pass to Tyson Hunt on the very next play that set up a short touchdown run from Delon Thompson two plays later.
 
Tyrese Smith had two long touchdowns later in the scrimmage. The first came as he scrambled out of the pocket before sending the ball 50+ yards downfield to Devon Anderson, who took it the rest of the way for a 70-yard score on the first play of the series. A couple series later, Smith sent a ball to Terence Loville down the right sideline that went for 60+ yards and another touchdown.
 
"You hope that when your 1-defense is going against your 2-offense that you get some stops and vice versa when your 1-offense is going against your 2-defense that you get some touchdowns," Fisk said. "That happened today. That always makes you sleep better at night. But we'll go back and watch the film and make some corrections, but I was pretty happy with how it went that way."
 
Downing led a long touchdown drive later in the scrimmage. An initial gain of 20+ yards on a pass to Jaylen Lynch helped set up a touchdown catch from Tanner Beaman that also came from 20+ yards.
 
John-Keawe Sagapolutele had an explosive play of his own, connecting with Darius Bailey for a reception of 50+ yards down the right seam.
 
Saturday's scrimmage marked the final one of the fall for the Vikings. The next week marks the final week of fall camp before the Vikings enter game week as they prepare for their season opener at home against UC Davis on Aug. 29 (12 p.m. kickoff).
 
"We've got some special teams practices early in the week that we'll dedicate to that third phase, and really start hitting game situational work before we get to game week," Fisk said of the next week.
 
"We'll also have a great practice over on the Nike campus on Tuesday. Those guys are opening their doors for us. I think it's going to be a great day for our program. It's the first time we've really been over there for a full, padded practice. I hope it's exciting for the Nike employees over there, as well, and we can have a great day over there. And then it's really just put your head down and start working towards Davis after that."
 
That starts with maintaining the growth mindset the Vikings showed over the past week.
 
THE WEEK AHEAD
Sunday, Aug. 16 – 2-3 p.m. – Practice (Helmets)
Monday, Aug. 17 – Off Day
Tuesday, Aug. 18 – 9:15-11:15 a.m. – Practice (Full) – on Nike Campus
Wednesday, Aug. 19 – 9:15-11:15 a.m. – Practice (Shells)
Thursday, Aug. 20 – 9:15-11:15 a.m. – Practice (Full)
Friday, Aug. 21 – 9:15-11:15 a.m. – Practice (Full)
Saturday, Aug. 22 – 3:15-4:30 p.m. – Practice (Shorts)
 
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