After Splitting Two Games On The Road, Vikings Come Home To Host Idaho State - Portland State Vikings

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Game 7 • Presented by Les Schwab Tires

IDAHO STATE BENGALS (1-4, 1-2) at PORTLAND STATE VIKINGS (2-4, 1-2)

Saturday, October 16, 2021, 2:05 p.m., Hillsboro Stadium (7,200), Hillsboro, OR
LIVE STREAMING: ESPN+ • Play-by-play: Matt Richert • Analyst: Scott Hermo
LIVE STATS: www.ViksLive.com

Complete notes and stats in pdf

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SECOND HALF OF SEASON HAS HOME FLAVOR

After playing four of its first six games on the road, the Portland State Vikings are looking forward to sleeping in their own beds for a while. PSU begins a stretch of more than three weeks at home starting this Saturday when it hosts Idaho State at Hillsboro Stadium. The Vikings (2-4, 1-2) meet the Bengals (1-4, 1-2) in a 2:05 p.m. game televised on ESPN+.
     
Following the game, Portland State will get a much-needed bye week at home, then return on Oct. 30 to host Cal Poly. PSU does not play on the road again until a Nov. 6 contest at Weber State.
     
The Vikings will try to shake off a close road loss at Idaho last Saturday. Early on, it didn't look like it would be much of a game but PSU rallied back from a four-touchdown deficit. It came as close as a final Hail Mary pass into the endzone that was batted away before the Vikings were downed, 42-35.
     
PSU churned out season-highs of 164 rushing yards, 424 passing yards and 588 total yards. But, the Vikings also drove into Idaho territory on four possessions that ended in two missed field goals and two failed fourth down plays. Defensively, the Vikings had a poor start, allowing 321 first-half yards, but buckled down in the second half, allowing the offense to mount a comeback.
     
That game is gone though, and Portland State must now focus on Idaho State, a team that has won the last three meetings in the series. The Bengals come in with an unimpressive record, but come off their biggest win in some time, beating then-7th ranked UC Davis, 27-17. Certainly, that will give ISU confidence coming to Portland State.
     
The teams have a dead-even ledger in the Big Sky Conference series, with each winning 12 games. The Vikings are 8-4 in home games against the Bengals during Big Sky play.
     
PSU is 1-1 at home this season, while Idaho State is 0-2 on the road. 

ALL-TIME SERIES

Idaho State leads 26-18-1 • Series tied 11-11 in Portland • ISU leads 15-7-1 in Pocatello
The Big Sky series is tied 12-12 • PSU leads 8-4 in Portland • ISU leads 8-4 in Pocatello 

STORYLINES

• MOST COMMON OPPONENT: After this Saturday's game, Portland State will have played Idaho State more times (46) than any other opponent in its 76-year football history. PSU has currently played ISU and Montana 45 times each. Next on that list is Eastern Washington with 42 matchups... the all-time series is led by Idaho State, 26-18-1, while the Big Sky series is tied 12-12.
• IN A RUSH: Portland State has compiled the first, third, fifth and ninth-most rushing yards in a game in school history against the Bengals (531, 2016; 437, 2012; 436, 2011; 395, 2013). Head Coach Bruce Barnum was the offensive coordinator in all four of those games.... in 2012, the Vikings compiled 758 yards of total offense in a 77-10 victory. That is the most total offense for PSU ever in a Big Sky game, and second-most in school history.... in 2016, when PSU set the single-game rushing record, the team was also 0-6 passing for 0 yards - the fewest passing yards in school history. PSU won the game 45-20.
• IDAHO STATE IS HOT: The Bengals have won the last three meetings between the schools (2017-19), scoring 158 points over the three games (52.7 ppg).

SCOUTING THE BENGALS

Idaho State struggled out of the blocks this season, losing its first four games. However, the Bengals can hang their hats on one of their biggest wins in recent memory, a 27-17 home victory over 7th-ranked UC Davis last week.
     
The Bengals average 17.8 points and 333.0 yards of offense per game this season. They allow 34.4 points and 492.6 yards of offense. Additionally, they have a -6 turnover margin.
     
One area the Bengals have been strong is avoiding penalties. ISU has just 19 through five games this season.
     
Idaho State has split duty at quarterback this season, but Hunter Hays went all the way in last Saturday's win, throwing for 281 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 52 yards.
     
The running game and receiving game have been "by committee" with no individual player standing out, though Tanner Conner (17-339-1) is averaging 20 yards per reception. He had five grabs for 150 yards and a 71-yard score against UC Davis.
     
Linebacker Conner Wills leads the defense with 51 tackles this season. Darian Green, also a linebacker, has 38 stops.
     
Idaho State has managed only four quarterback sacks on the season while allowing nearly 310 passing yards per game.                   

LAST WEEK: VIKING COMEBACK FALLS ONE HAIL MARY SHORT

The comeback was impressive, but the hole was too deep. Down four touchdowns, Portland State came back within one score but finally succumbed to Idaho, 42-35, at the ASUI Kibbie Dome... It was a rally that ended on a Hail Mary pass attempt in the endzone for the Vikings. Idaho was able to knock the ball away and save the game... After a defensive effort that led to a win a week ago at Southern Utah, the Vikings didn't have an answer for the rugged offense of Idaho in the first half. The Vikings gave up five first-half touchdowns, forcing the Vandals to punt just one time. Idaho's largest lead was 35-7... Portland State's offense moved the ball all day, but four possessions into Vandal territory resulted in two missed field goals and two failed fourth-down attempts. Two came in the second quarter and two in the third quarter. Otherwise, PSU out-gained Idaho 588-444... Quarterback Davis Alexander passed for a career-high 424 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Mataio Talalemotu caught 12 passes for 196 yards and two scores. The defense held the Vandals without a yard of offense over three possessions in the second half, aiding the comeback... And, when Idaho inexplicably continued to run the ball inside the final minute when a couple of kneel downs would have ended the game, the Vikings almost performed a miracle. PSU forced and recovered a Vandal fumble with 26 seconds left at the PSU 3. Alexander was able to complete five quick sideline routes all the way out to the 47-yard line. His final play Hail Mary pass was swatted away in the endzone... Parker McKenna had 11 tackles to lead the Viking defense. VJ Malo forced the late fumble and it was recovered by Broderick Harrell... SR RB Malik Walker had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career with 26 carries for 132 yards. It was also the first 100-yard game by a Viking back in 10 starts dating to 2019.

BIG NUMBERS, NOT ENOUGH POINTS

Portland State had its best offensive performance of the season at Idaho. The Vikings had season-highs of 588 total yards, 424 passing yards, 164 rushing, matched the season-high with 35 points and did not turn the ball over. However, four possessions that combined to gain 203 yards resulted in two missed field goals and two fourth-down stops, all in Idaho territory. Here are a few more highlights:

• SR QB Davis Alexander passed for a career-high 424 yards on a career-best 32-48 attempts. He had four touchdowns and no interceptions.
• JR WR Mataio Talalemotu, making his first start since game one due to injury, had career-bests of 12 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
• SR RB Malik Walker rushed 26 times for a career-high 132 yards.
• JR WR Beau Kelly had another big game with seven receptions for 119 yards and two scores.

HERE COMES THE RUN

Portland State had been averaging only 88 yards on the ground per game through the first four. However, the Vikings rushed for a season-high 156 against Southern Utah, then followed that with another season-high of 164 yards at Idaho. SR RB Malik Walker rushed 26 times for a career-high 132 yards against the Vandals. It was the first 100-yard effort by a Viking back in 10 starts. Walker now ranks sixth in the Big Sky Conference with 99 carries for 429 yards and four touchdowns this season. 

TURNOVER TROUBLE

Portland State did not turn the ball over for the first time this season, and won the turnover battle for the first time (1-0). However, it did not translate into a win, as is usually the case. Perhaps though, it will reverse the turnover trend this season... the Vikings now have a -3 turnover deficit... the Vikings had only 16 in 12 games in 2019 (1.3 pg) and 15 in 11 games in 2018 (1.4 pg). With 11 through six games, the Vikings are on pace for 20 turnovers (1.8 pg) this season. 

ALEXANDER THE GREAT

SR QB Davis Alexander is climbing the charts among Portland State's all-time passing leaders. And that is no small feat when you consider some of the great signal-callers that have gone through the Park Blocks. Alexander has a chance to finish his career second in virtually every passing category behind Viking legend Neil Lomax. Here is a sample of what Alexander has achieved through six games this season and 32 career starts.

• Alexander is 141-236 passing for 1,829 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Alexander ranks second in the Big Sky in passing yards per game (304.8) and total offense (327.2). He ranks 11th in the nation in both categories.
• Alexander has moved into second place all-time at PSU for total offense behind only Neil Lomax (1977-2000, 13,345). Alexander now has 9,197 yards.
• With 7,969 career passing yards, Alexander is now in third place in PSU history. He trails only Neil Lomax (1977-1980, 13,220) and Jimmy Blanchard (1997-2000, 8,455).
• With 12 passing touchdowns, Alexander is now fourth all-time with 54 in his career at PSU. He has accounted for 76 career touchdowns (including 22 rushing). With 22 rushing touchdowns, he ranks 11th all-time at PSU.
• Alexander has moved into fourth in completions in Portland State history. He is now 583-1,026 in his career.
• Alexander now has eight 300-yard passing games, which ties for fourth-most in PSU history. His three 400-yard games ties for third-most.

BEAU KNOWS RECEIVING, PASSING, RETURNING, RUSHING...

JR WR Beau Kelly continues to be an all-around contributor for the Vikings. He had 122 all-purpose yards at Idaho and has 700 for the season (116.7). He has gained yards receiving, rushing and on punt returns. And he is 2-2 passing for 56 yards.

• Kelly leads the Vikings and ranks in the top five in the Big Sky Conference in receptions (40), yards (605) and leads in touchdowns (6)... he also has 15 rushing yards, 80 punt return yards and 56 passing yards this season.
• He ranks 11th in the nation with 100.8 receiving yards per game.
• Kelly leads the Big Sky Conference with a 16.0 punt return average.
• Kelly had back-to-back career games in the first two of the season. He went for 6-132-1 at Hawai'i, then 10-152-1 at Washington State... his third 100-yard game came at Idaho (7-119-2).
• For his career, Kelly has 86 receptions for 1,258 yards and nine touchdowns in 27 games. He also has 186 career punt return yards, 103 career passing yards (on 3-3 completions), and 70 career rushing yards. 

IT TAKES A THIEF

All-American JR CB Anthony Adams has his season off to a familiar start. Through six games, Adams has three takeaways - two interceptions and a fumble recovery - to go with 25 tackles. Robert Wagner would be proud (old-time TV fan reference)...

• Adams now has 10 career takeaways (2 FR, 8 INT)... his 27 career pass breakups ranks sixth all-time at PSU.
• Opponents have notably stayed away from his side of the field. He has 25 tackles, including one for loss and a pass breakup this season.
• Two of his takeaways - the fumble recovery at Hawai'i and the interception at Washington State - came when the opponent was inside the Vikings' 10-yard line.
• In 2019, Adams led the nation in passes defensed at the FCS level in 2019 (5 INT, 19 PBU) earning consensus first team All-American honors. 

WIDEOUT PRODUCTION

Portland State figured to have a very strong wide receiver group in 2021. That has been apparent through six games even with a few of the key members unavailable.

• JR WR Beau Kelly leads the team in receptions (40), receiving yards (605) and touchdowns (6).
• Though he missed the Idaho game with illness, FR WR Darien Chase has become a starter and has 23 receptions. He has 295 receiving yards and had a 100-yard game at Hawai'i.
• FR WR Nate Bennett has 28 receptions for 379 yards and three TDs and has started all six games. Bennett ranks in the top 10 in the Big Sky in receiving. He picked up his first 100-yard game with six receptions for 106 yards against Western Oregon.
• JR WR Mataio Talalemotu was unavailable for three games and played briefly at Southern Utah. He came back strong at Idaho, making career-highs of 12 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yarder. He passed 1,000 career receiving yards at Hawai'i. Talalemotu now has 72 receptions for 1,208 yards and 10 TDs.
• JR WRs Marquis Spiker (7-96-0) and George McCorley (7-108-0) are also gaining traction as receivers.

DIAMONDS ON DEFENSE THIS SEASON

Some top performances by the Viking defense through six games.

• PSU's defense forced a season-high four turnovers at Hawai'i.
• The Vikings allowed only 106 yards in the first half and 278 yards total in their home-opening win over Western Oregon (9/18). PSU had nine tackles for loss, four sacks and six pass breakups in the game. SR LB Broderick Harrell led the way with 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup.
• Portland State allowed a season-low 267 yards in the 20-13 win at Southern Utah. On the T-Birds final drive, they moved to a first-and-goal at the PSU 9. The T-Birds rushed for no yards, then got a quarterback scramble for five yards. With third-and-goal at the four, PSU forced two incompletions. The second came on fourth-and-goal when Bell swatted away the pass in the endzone with 3:05 to play... Bell finished with six tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.
• The Viking defense has forced eight turnovers and made 14 sacks.
• JR CB Anthony Adams has three takeaways with a recovered fumble and two interceptions. He is tied for second in the Big Sky in picks.
• MALO-IFICENT TO OFFENSES: JR DE VJ Malo has 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He is ranks second in sacks and fourth in TFLs in the Big Sky.
• FR LB Parker McKenna leads the Vikings with 50 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble... FB LB Justice Pagan has 26 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack.
• ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS FOR TACKLES: JR CB Anthony Adams, 138; SR LB Nicolas Ah Sam, 102; SR DT Semise Kofe, 98.

EXTRA SPECIAL TEAMS

Vikings special teams are strong once again in 2021:

• SR P Seth Vernon continues to impress. He has a 47.4 yard average and nine punts of over 50 yards. He leads in the Big Sky Conference and would rank second in the nation, but misses the national minimum (3.6 punts per game, Vernon averages 3.5). Vernon had a long of 59 yards at Hawai'i, 56 yards at Washington State, 58 yards against Western Oregon, 55 against Montana State and 65 at Southern Utah.
• JR K Cody Williams will miss the remainder of the season due to a hip injury. Williams started the first 26 games of his career. This season he made 10-10 extra points, extending his school-record streak to 93 in a row... Williams hit a 46-yard field goal at Washington State. That was the 27th successful three-pointer in his career, tying him for seventh all-time in PSU history (Mike Cajal-Willis, 2001-02).
• FR K Gianni Smith took over for Williams late in the Western Oregon game. Since then, Smith has gone 10-10 on extra points and 3-5 on field goals. He made a 41-yard field goal against Montana State, then 35 and 28 yarders at Southern Utah.
• FR CB Tyreese Shakir recovered a pair of fumbles at Hawai'i. The first came in the third quarter when Shakir recovered a muffed kickoff return by the Rainbow Warriors in the endzone. Later in the fourth, when the Vikings were attempting a desperate comeback, Shakir recovered a fumbled onside kick.  
• JR WR Beau Kelly had a season-best 30-yard punt return at Southern Utah and averages 16.0 for the season. He leads the Big Sky Conference.

VIKING GRADUATES

Entering the 2021 season, there are 20 Vikings who have already earned their undergraduate degrees. They are: Anthony Adams, Davis Alexander, Ty Apana-Purcell, Carlos Barraza, Xavier Bell, Brady Brick, Emmanuel Daigbe, Daniel Giannosa, Broderick Harrell, Steffen Jacobsen, Ryan Lesch, Carlton Lorenz, Alex Lozano, Tyson Pauling, Jake Porter, Mataio Talalemotu, Malik Thirdgill, Tiano Tialavea, KJ Walker, Noah Yunker.
     
Northern Colorado and Towson lead all FCS schools with 24 graduates on each of their rosters. PSU is tied for 10th among FCS schools.
 
 
 

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