Defense prevails in annual Spring Scrimmage

The Portland State defense looked strong in the Vikings’ annual Spring Game at the PSU Community Field Saturday, May 12. Using a modified scoring system, the defense won with nine sacks and an interception for touchdown 17-13 in the 58-play scrimmage.

A 55-yard interception return for touchdown by freshman Jamal Abdullah midway through the scrimmage gave the defense a 14-6 lead. On the previous series, a fumble recovery by the defense was good for five points. The defense also earned one point each for stopping five other drives during the Spring Game.

Defense took advantage of an injury depleted offensive line with nine sacks on the day. Defensive end Willis Carey (JR) was in on four sacks, while John Langridge (SR) and Tim Eiden (JR) each had two sacks.

Linebackers Marcus Green (JR, 6 tackles, 1 PBU) and Trent Jackson (SO, 4 tackles) played well. Including his sacks, Carey was in on nine tackles overall. Abdullah, a strong safety, had four tackles to go with his interception.

Junior-to-be quarterback Juston Wood engineered the first scoring drive of the game, hitting sophomore-to-be Dante Washington on a nine-yard scoring strike. Wood drove the Vikings’ offense 70 yards on nine plays for the score.

Wood ran just the first two series for the Vikings, completing five of five passes for 67 yards. A 20-yard pass to wide receiver Jesse Levin on a third-and-20 play in the previous drive was Wood’s other big play.