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BE CAREFUL VIKINGS, THIS CAT HAS CLAWS
September 28, 2011
by Mike Lund, Media Relations Director
Be careful this week, Vikings. The Bengals are ready to pounce.
This Saturday's Big Sky Conference football game at Holt Arena in Pocatello, ID has the potential to set up a REALLY big football game next week at JELD-WEN Field. If the Vikings can come up with a road win at Idaho State, they would take a 2-0 mark into a meeting with the defending Big Sky Conference Champion Montana State Bobcats on October 8 (currently 2-0 with a home game against Sacramento State this week).
The problem is, this week's game against the Bengals is as dangerous as any the Vikings will play this year. It would be easy to look at the records and realize that Idaho State won only three games in the last three seasons. But the fact is there are a lot of bricks stacking up against the Vikings this week. Consider:
1) Plenty of talk (though none by the Vikings coaches and players themselves who are focused on this week) about the potential of that Oct. 8 game.
2) Mike Kramer's cagey ways. The new Idaho State coach has revitalized a moribund program at Idaho State. People in Pocatello are excited again. More than 8,000 showed up for ISU's win over Western State - the most in four years. Moreover, Kramer will surprise you with different schemes offensively and defensively from week to week, beat you with a trick play, etc. He took over bottom-of-the-barrel programs at Eastern Washington (early 90s) and Montana State (2000) and lifted them to conference championship/NCAA playoff levels. He instilled in those teams the quality of "finding ways to win" much like the University of Montana has been known for over the past 15 years. It's only a matter of time before some of that juice rubs off from Kramer to his Bengals.
3) The return of Tavoy Moore. For my money, Tavoy Moore was one of the best players in the Big Sky Conference last year, especially when you consider the team around him. The spritely kick returner/receiver/running back is one of those unique individuals who can make a big play with his speed and elusiveness at any time. In a 38-3 loss to the Vikings last year, Moore still had four receptions for 81 yards (20.3) and five kick returns for 109 yards (21.8). Overall last year, Moore had more than 2,000 all-purpose yards, and four returns for touchdowns. Moore went out with an injury after game one of this season. He attempted to get on the field last week, but wasn't ready. My guess is he will be all tuned up and ready to add something special to the Bengals offense this week.
4) Speaking of the offense, Idaho State has made a huge leap forward behind junior transfer quarterback Kevin Yost. The Bengals are tossing the ball all over the field, averaging more than 50 pass attempts per game. Yost threw for 508 yards in a season-opening win. His main man has been wide receiver Rodrick Rumble, who leads the nation in receptions (44) and receiving yards (626) and has five touchdowns. With an attack like that - especially if you throw in Moore - the Bengals are capable of putting up some big offensive numbers. Contrarily, the ISU running game is averaging an anemic 38 yards per game. So, PSU's defensive backfield will be tested… and tested… and tested again. A few interceptions in this one will go a long way for the Vikings.
5) Homecoming. Usually when a school schedules homecoming, it looks for an opponent it has a good opportunity to beat. Idaho State chose the Vikings. Make no mistake, that is a statement of how ISU feels about PSU. Especially when you consider that Idaho State is bringing back its 1981 National Championship team (yes, the Bengals won a title) for its 30-year anniversary on Saturday. Celebrations, mojo, the whole enchilada will be there for the current Bengals to feed off. That ought to be a lot motivation for Kramer, his staff and team to get a win in front of what should be a big crowd.
6) Cory McCaffrey. The Vikings' best player through the first two games missed TCU with a bum knee. Will he be ready for this week? McCaffrey is back in pads and on the practice field this week. How far back he has come will not be apparent until Connor Kavanaugh takes the first snap on offense in three days. The best news to come from McCaffrey sitting out last week's game against the Horned Frogs is Shaquille Richard. Nigel Burton knew his true freshman running back was good, but Richard's 28-carry, 90-yard, one touchdown effort against the nation's top (FBS) defense the last three years showed Viking fans that he is the future… and that's great. But, there is no doubt that the Vikings' present relies on the nimble feet of McCaffrey. His health is paramount to getting a win this week, or any other.
7) History. Sure the Vikings have lost six straight Big Sky Conference road games. We all know that. It ain't good. But, Portland State hasn't won a game in Pocatello since the last century. Yup, it was 1999 when Orshawante Bryant, Jimmy Blanchard, et al shredded the Bengals in a 52-13 Viking win. For perspective, Shaquille Richard was six years old and had just started the first grade. The Vikings have lost five in a row in Pocatello since then, including a 41-34 game-ending debacle in 2009 that proved to be Jerry Glanville's PSU swan song, and a 36-34 loss in 2005 on a final-minute, 56-yard field goal.
That's a lot of stuff for the 2011 version of the Portland State Vikings to contend with this week. Are they up to it? Well, being around the program for as many years as I have, I can say with all honesty that the Vikings are as focused and singled-minded as I have seen. That comes from the coaches, captains and senior leaders.
On an aside, my wife asks me every football week, "Is this going to be a tough game to win?" Every week, I tell her the same thing: "Every game in the Big Sky Conference is tough to win."
So, be careful Vikings. Cat has claws.
A FEW THINGS TO LOOK AT THIS WEEK
Ian Ruder's Oregonian story about Viking recruiting
More from Ian on his blog at The Ruder Reality
A great story on Viking volleyballer Garyn Schlatter and her sister by Ryan Borde
TAKING ON THOSE FROGS...
September 21, 2011
by Mike Lund, Media Relations Director
Should be a fun weekend in Fort Worth… I'm told there is a Friday night dinner at Billy Bobs. We can look forward to temperatures in the 90s. The team we play, TCU, in my opinion, has the coolest nickname in college athletics.
My only disappointment is despite being just a driver and nine-iron away from legendary Colonial Golf Club I am, sadly, without a tee time.
That's okay, though. College football is a nice substitute.
Portland State has a monumental challenge ahead of it in the form of the 20th-ranked Horned Frogs this Saturday. Viking Head Coach Nigel Burton has acknowledged the talent of the TCU football team and said in order to give the Horned Frogs a game, the Vikings have to "get it to the fourth quarter" with a chance.
When Portland State "plays up" against an FBS opponent, the keys are always the same: 1) Finding a way to compete at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and at least playing the opponent to a draw; 2) Special Teams - the dinference in speed between FBS and FCS teams really shows up in special teams play; 3) Turnovers - just like any game, turnovers can have a huge impact and the Vikings especially have no room for mistakes. 4) Big Plays - preventing and creating.
Do the Vikings have a chance to get it to the fourth quarter? Perhaps, but all the tumblers have to line up perfectly. How do they look when addressing the above points?
1) So far the Viking offensive line has been outstanding, leading PSU to nearly 350 yards rushing per game. The defensive line has been effective as well, as two opponents have totaled just over 140 rushing yards.
2) Vikings' special teams have probably been the biggest surprise so far. Not that that weren't good last year - they were - but that they have had such a big impact. Look no further than Myles Wade getting his hand on the final field goal attempt by Northern Arizona last Saturday. PSU has three blocks this year - two on punts and the field goal. Prior to this season, PSU last blocked a punt five years ago and last blocked a field goal two years ago.
In addition, the Vikings are averaging over 30 yards per kick return, and have the best net punt average in the Big Sky Conference (39.3). Those areas play a huge role in field position.
3) PSU has been okay but not great in turnover margin so far. The Vikings have given it away four times and taken it back five times through two games. PSU's turnover margin in its two wins over BCS schools? 3-1 over Hawai'i in 2000 (45-20) and 2-1 over New Mexico in 2006 (17-6 win).
4) Big play potential is the biggest gray area to evaluate because one broken coverage, one key block, one trip up, one crazy bounce of the football and you have a big play. TCU had a 68-yard touchdown pass and a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown in last Saturday's 38-17 win over Louisiana Monroe. The Vikings' longest touchdown this year is a 33-yard run.
Even if PSU grades an A in these four categories, it is still an uphill climb. For one, the Vikings will need to employ a more effective passing game than they showed against Northern Arizona. And remember, TCU was 13-0 last year, won the Rose Bowl, and led the nation in total defense FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW. The Horned Frogs haven't shown the same eye-popping numbers on defense as last year, but TCU will EASILY be the most talented team the Vikings face this season.
A few more nuggets on TCU supremacy:
- TCU has won 21 straight at home, a Mountain West Conference record.
- In their last 11 home games, the Horned Frogs have outscored opponents by an average of 45-11.
We'll see how the Vikings grade out this Saturday. There is no television, so listen in to Tom Hewitt and me on Freedom 970 AM or www.970.am. And remember, it will be an early kickoff, 11 a.m. Pacific Time.
THIS SATURDAY, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
September 14, 2011
by Mike Lund, Media Relations Director
This Saturday is a big - really big - game for the Viking football team. Sure, it is one of eight in the Big Sky Conference. But it is at home, and PSU needs to learn how to take care of its business at home once again. Did you know PSU was 7-13 at home the past four seasons? Did you know PSU was 35-9 at home the eight seasons prior to that?
Moreover, the Vikings need to prove they have bounced back from an embarrassing 62-14 loss at Northern Arizona at the end of last season. Can they do it?
Well, consider the Vikings faced the Lumberjacks without Connor Kavanaugh last season (or Drew Hubel for that matter). And that Cory McCaffrey went down early in the game with a quadriceps injury. And that the Vikings had four early turnovers.
Make no mistake, NAU took it to the Vikings' defense, running for 394 yards and totaling 655 overall.
How far have the Vikings progressed in the off-season? This game should be telling. NAU has a very strong running back combination of Zach Bauman and Giovannie Dixon. Those two ran for a combined 371 yards in last year's game. With the exception of just a couple of new players on the Viking defense, the two Jacks' backs face mainly the same defense - though Nigel Burton and defensive coordinator Eric Jackson feel their group is much savvier and playing more instinctual this season.
On the other side of the ball, Northern Arizona's defense has traditionally been strong against the run. Last year, NAU led the Big Sky Conference in run defense (93.5 yards per game), sacks (33), and scoring defense (19.8 ppg allowed). This year, they have allowed 52 yards rushing per game - which includes one game against Pac-12 Arizona.
McCaffrey, Kavanaugh and bits of Shaquille Richard, Willie Griffin and Justin Lilley will compose PSU's running game on Saturday. Last year, the Vikings led the Big Sky with more than 203 rushing yards per game - despite the final-game swoon in Flagstaff. About 1,700 yards came from McCaffrey and Kavanaugh, who were non-factors at NAU. PSU also returns virtually its entire offensive line. (
You may have red about the Ax Men in Tuesday's Oregonian)
Big plays, special teams and coaching decisions can all have an impact this week. But to me, it has never been more apparent that this game will be won at the line of scrimmage. It's their running game, or ours….
JT... ROBBED!
The NFL's opening week is in the books and my takeaway is what a shame that former Viking Julius Thomas' first career catch was taken away. That's right, the rookie Denver Bronco tight end made a nice grab in the second period against Oakland only to have it wiped away by a holding penalty. Hope he gets on the board next Sunday….
TWO STARS IN THIS CONSTELLATION
The Viking women's golf team opened its season this week - or should I say the two-time defending Big Sky champion Viking women's golf team (and winners of six of the last nine Big Sky titles) opened its season. Behind returning stars Britney Yada and Tiffany Schoning, the Vikings tied for second at the Circling Raven Collegiate Invitaional (won by Washington State) and first among the seven Big Sky schools in the tournament.
Certainly the top two Vikings proved they are as good as ever. Senior Tiffany Schoning shot a final-round 70 to finish third on the individual leaderboard (222). Junior Britney Yada, last year's Big Sky medalist was fourth with 223. Look for those two to be among the Big Sky's finest again this season.
The question for the Vikings this year is, will the young players elevate their games enough to give PSU a shot at another league trophy? PSU lost talented seniors Alexia Brown and Kalyn Dodge to graduation, and BSC Freshman of the Year Lauren Taylor elected not to return to school. That leaves Head Coach Kathleen Takaishi with a very young team and only two players with significant experience. It could be the most challenging of her five seasons at Portland State.
Sophomore Loren Forney, who started in four tournaments last year, showed something by placing t46 among 116 players at Circling Raven. She will be needed to perform like that every tournament this year. Sophomore transfer Samantha Webb was All-Cascade Collegiate Conference last year at Concordia, but is definitely stepping up a level of competition at Portland State. She has potential to be a regular contributor to the team score and posted a 78 on the final day.
Then come sophomore Katie Ortman and freshmen Emily Podlesny and Kelly Miller. Among those three, Takaishi hopes to get a least one consistent performer on a regular basis.
August 2011 Blog
July 2011 Blog
June 2011 Blog
