The message head coach Jerry Glanville passed on to safety Aaron Dickson and linebacker KJ McCrae at film session Monday morning was simple.
“Welcome to big-time football.”
Dickson and McCrae headlined a Portland State defense that played Montana tough Saturday but were ultimately outperformed in the waning moments of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter.
The Grizzlies extended a 9-5 halftime lead into a seemingly lopsided 29-12 final score, however, it is worth noting that late Vikings turnovers and a series of abbreviated drives resulted in the Portland State defense playing for more than 43 minutes.
And that took its effect.
“We were on the field for a long time, and you start to wear down a little bit,” said senior linebacker Andy Schantz following Saturday’s game.
For the third game in a row, the Vikings (3-6, 2-4 Big Sky) defense contained the opponent, though offensive miscues and special teams mistakes factored into Portland State’s second straight loss.
In addition to kickoff woes, the Vikings committed four turnovers versus Montana (9-1, 5-1 Big Sky), including three interceptions, which placed the defense in the predicament of having to defend a short field on little rest.
Despite Glanville’s dejection over the loss two days later on Monday, he was willing to shift his focus to other areas.
“You have to look for the positives,” Glanville said as he spoke of the two senior defensive stars. “I’ve been waiting and waiting, and pleading with them. Then sometimes the switch just comes on.”
Dickson was not even a starter to begin his final season in the South Park Blocks but has elevated his game to a point where he is looked to as a leader on defense. And against Montana he pieced together arguably his finest game as a Viking.
One of few Vikings who have been with the program all four years, the Grant High School graduate had a game-high 14 total tackles, with 10 solo tackles and four assists, and one tackle for a loss.
“Everyone is always a little more hyped up against Montana,” said Dickson, who added that he fed off the energy that was quite palpable at PGE Park Saturday.
Dickson said he began the season trying everything in his power just to get onto the field and finally received an opportunity in week two versus UC Davis, where he simply “took advantage of it.”
With his performance against the Grizzlies, it appears the hard work has paid off.
“Twenty-six (Dickson) was as good as anyone who played Saturday,” Glanville said, flashing a smile and shaking his head with approval.
While Dickson may have piled up the tackles all around the field, McCrae honed in on one particular plot of real estate: the backfield.
McCrae racked up four and a half tackles for a loss, resulting in 21 yards lost for Montana, two sacks and 10 total tackles.
“It felt different than any other game,” said McCrae, bringing his team-high sack total to six and a half for the season. “I finally played up to where [Glanville] thought I could.”
Much of his success came because several of the play calls were designed for him to step up and drill the ball carrier, McCrae said, but he also exploited one of his opponent’s weaknesses.
Offensive tackle Chris Dyk was matched up with McCrae, who used his speed and athleticism to take advantage of the 6-foot-8 295-pounder time after time.
McCrae said often times he would simply choose a side and then dart forward, hoping to catch Dyk while he was off balance.
“It’s real simple,” McCrae said of the Portland State defense when everything is clicking. “You just do your job and make the play.”
Glanville said that the one negative about the way Dickson and McCrae rose to the occasion against the Grizzlies is that their days as Vikings are numbered with only two games remaining this season.
But Glanville continued to reiterate that he is proud of the two players’ progress and hopes they come out with the same intensity their final pair of games in a Portland State uniform.
Even when all is gloomy with a loss, Glanville said getting to initiate players into the “big-time football” arena is always enjoyable.
“As a coach, that’s the fun of it.”