Four days into spring practice and Portland State Football Coach Bruce Barnum is already singing the praises of his starting quarterback Alex Kuresa.

"It's always fun to see a transfer quarterback, an older quarterback, in his second year," said Barnum of the 2015 Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year. 

Is it possible to expect more from Kuresa, who accounted for 2,730 yards of total offense and 24 touchdowns in 2015 while leading the Vikings to their best Division I season ever? Barnum sure thinks so, especially considering how the rest of the team has adapted to its quarterback.

"The first year he is just sticking his toe in the water," Barnum said of Kuresa, who transferred to PSU from Snow JC. "Now everybody knows him - receivers, offensive line, running backs. Alex makes plays you're not supposed to make, but now it's one moving part. Instead of everybody wondering where he is going and what he is doing. The receivers now understand the quarterback. They aren't standing around when he scrambles. They understand when the play breaks down, there is a 90% chance he is going to make something positive happen.

"We would have loved to have Alex for four years, but we have him for one more and we are going to take advantage of it."

That future success will rely a lot on Barnum's veteran group of receivers that includes nine returning letterwinners, all of whom are upperclassmen.

"I like how the receivers are working. I don't have a Jerry Rice out there, but they play hard and know how to fit together as a unit," said Barnum.

Barnum also lauded his defense for a strong start in the spring. Areas of concern were some changes on the defensive line due to expiring eligibility as well as filling in at linebacker and safety.

"Defensively, I like how the front has continued the quality play (with changes from last season)," Barnum said. Seniors Savall Talalemotu and Michael Doman are moving inside to tackle from defensive end, while junior Will Dawson and sophomore John Jackson are expected to take on a larger role.

Transfers Taylor Biaggi (LB), Chris Hayes (S) and Ryan Wood (S), as well as freshman Kenton Bartlett (LB) are being worked into the defense at linebacker and safety. All four have excellent size and fit the plan established by Barnum and defensive coordinator Malik Roberson to have a more imposing look on defense.

"The new guys we brought in, their knowledge and savvy for the game has shown… and they cover ground. They are long athletes. Right now there are a lot of guys working out at middle linebacker," said Barnum, who has had Biaggi working with the first unit, as well as returners John Norcross, Austin Wolff and Cameron Schmitz among others.

Instead of the usual day (or days) between practices in the typical 15-practice spring, Portland State will practice four straight days this week, a procedure Barnum likes. Daily practice allows the players to retain more of what they are learning through the consistent repetition. It also shortens the number of weeks of spring ball (four), allowing for more recovery time leading into summer if necessary.

SCRIMMAGE THIS FRIDAY: Portland State will hold its first formal scrimmage of the spring on Friday afternoon. Practice is scheduled to begin at approximately 2:30, with live plays at approximately 3 p.m.

VIKINGS GAME WITH EASTERN WASHINGTON MOVES TO FRIDAY: Portland State's game with Eastern Washington in the 2016 season finale has been moved to Friday night, November 18. Originally scheduled for November 19, the contest moves up one day to assure availability of Providence Park during the MLS playoffs. PSU and Eastern played a Friday game the last time the Eagles were in town in 2014.

SCHEDULE NOTE: Portland State has signed a contract to host UC Davis in a non-conference game in 2017. The Aggies will come to PSU on Sept. 16, 2017. It will PSU's first non-conference home game against an FCS opponent since hosting UCD in 2009. This marks the fourth time the Vikings will play a Big Sky Conference opponent in a non-conference game, and the second time it has been UC Davis… PSU's 2017 preseason schedule also includes a game at Oregon State on Sept. 2. The Sept. 9 and Sept. 23 dates are still open for another non-conference contest.

The Portland State Football Spring Schedule
Thurs., Apr. 7, 8-9:30 a.m.
Fri., Apr. 8, 2:30-5 p.m., scrimmage
Tues., Apr. 12, 8-9:30 a.m.
Wed., Apr. 13, 8-9:30 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 14, 8-9:30 a.m.
Fri., Apr. 15, 2:30-5 p.m., scrimmage
Tues., Apr. 19, 8-9:30 a.m.
Wed., Apr. 20, 8-9:30 a.m.
Thurs., Apr. 21, 8-9:30 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 23, Spring Game, 2 p.m. 

All practices at Stott Community Field 

Complete spring prospectus in pdf