Catching on

Stretched out on a couch pointing out players on the screen with a laser pointer in one hand and holding a coaches clicker in the other, head coach Jerry Glanville cycles through game film from the Vikings’ (2-3, 2-0) most complete victory thus far, a 28-21 comeback win over Eastern Washington Saturday.

Even with the win, the former NFL head coach picks and prods at small mistakes and imperfections in his “work-in-progress” defense.

Glanville’s frustrations come to a head during a defensive play where senior safety Condrew Allen intercepted a pass from Eastern Washington (3-1, 1-1) sophomore quarterback Matt Nichols. Despite Allen’s quick reflexes, the play was called back because a reserve defensive end was offsides.

“Don’t ever send in someone without asking me first. The next time someone does that they are fired,” Glanville said to his defensive coaches.

Defensive line coach Josh Fetter’s face revealed that he knew the humorous coach wasn’t joking this time.

Though, Glanville was happy to see that his team executed his defensive game plan. Watching film of Eastern Washington’s previous games, Glanville noticed Nichols was barely forced out of the pocket and had only been sacked once on the season.

This protection led to a brilliant start to the season for the young quarterback, who had racked up nine touchdowns and only one interception before the Vikings visited Cheney, Wash.

The specialty of the 3-4 defense is putting pressure on the quarterback, and Glanville is proud of the fact that his team had a lot of success hurrying Nichols’ throws Saturday night.

“The thing that changed the game for us was the five sacks and the 17 times we pushed him [Nichols] outside of the pocket,” Glanville said. “For a quarterback that has barely been touched all season, that is huge.”

The Viking defense was especially effective in the second half, but it was the offense that finally reached the end zone and put points on the board.

Portland State executed the run-and-shoot superbly from all facets. Senior fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin carried the ball 25 times for 141 yards and one score. Senior quarterback Brian White threw 29 completions on 47 attempts for 329 yards and three touchdowns. And wide receiver Reggie Joseph caught a career-high 10 balls for 120 yards and one touchdown.

The biggest improvement came from the offensive line, as the unit only allowed one sack and one tackle for a loss. Opening huge holes for Sobomehin and giving White sufficient time in the pocket, the offensive line played a significant role in the Vikings’ success.

“It was great, we really did needed that one especially for the long road trip home,” said offensive coordinator Darrel “Mouse” Davis. “We have to continue to improve our overall execution, but our offensive line blocked well, our quarterback threw it well and our wide outs ran well.”

The offense pulled itself up by its bootstraps after committing two turnovers early in the game, including an interception by White and a fumble by Sobomehin that had the Vikings facing a 14-7 deficit heading into the second half.

In the third quarter, White led a 70-yard drive that was capped off with a 23-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Kenneth Mackins, tying the game at 14-14.

White led a fourth-quarter drive for 87 yards, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass to Joseph, giving the Vikings a 21-14 lead. Sobomehin’s bulldozing touchdown run late in the fourth quarter made the score 28-14, too far out of reach for the Eagles.

Eastern Washington inched closer with a late fourth-quarter touchdown from Nichols to wide receiver Aaron Boyce, but its window of opportunity slammed shut when Vikings sophomore defensive back Tristan Patin intercepted a pass in the game’s closing seconds.

“The significance of this win is that we can go on the road and beat an undefeated Big Sky team,” Davis said. “It shows us if we can execute, we can win.”

Digits

191

Rushing yards for the Vikings, a season-high mark. Portland State averages 55.6 rushing yards per game.

27

The number of first downs Portland State compiled, 11 more than the Eagles.

1

Sacks allowed by Portland State. In games against UC Davis and Sacramento State earlier this season, the Vikings allowed nine and 10 sacks respectively.

2-0

The Vikings’ record versus Big Sky foes under head coach Jerry Glanville.

338.4

Average passing yards accumulated by Portland State through five games this season.

225

First-half yards compiled by the Vikings against Eastern Washington Saturday, but Portland State still trailed 14-7 at halftime.

50 percent

Portland State’s conversion rate on fourth down attempts this season. The Vikings have converted five of 10 attempts on fourth down.