Portland State football is set to begin a new era this fall under the guidance of new head coach Nigel Burton, and this weekend fans will have a chance to preview the coming season at the annual spring game on Saturday.
Changes in the offseason
Burton has completely overhauled the Viking defense and offense, and this will be everyone’s first chance to get a glimpse of the newly installed 4-3 defense and pistol offense in action.
The most visible change will be on offense. Expect to see more power-running and a stronger offensive line. It will be most interesting to see how Burton has handled the secondary, which was a glaring weak spot for the team last year.
More than a game
The spring game festivities begin at noon with a free youth football clinic. Youngsters will have a chance to directly interact with the team, run through drills and learn tips from the Viking coaches and players.
An alumni flag football game will begin at 1 p.m., with two former Portland State football coaches calling the plays.
The actual spring scrimmage is set to start at 2 p.m. with the Vikings’ Green and White teams facing each other for four 15-minute quarters.
Blast from the past
Former head coaches Mouse Davis and Don Read will be coaching both the alumni game and the scrimmage. Davis was head coach from 1975–80, following a stint as offensive coordinator in 1974. Most recently, he was offensive coordinator under former head coach Jerry Glanville from 2007–08. Read was head coach from 1968–71 and 1981–85.
Both Davis and Read have a place in Viking history. Davis was the man behind the run-and-shoot offense in the ’70s, which later evolved to the spread offense, which was the bread and butter of the Viking offense up until recently. Read led Portland State to its first Division II Western Football Conference Championship in 1984.
Due to scheduled construction at PGE Park in the fall, all football games, including the spring game, will be held at Hillsboro Stadium this season.
The scrimmage and all other associated events are free, but a $5 donation to the Hillsboro Schools Foundation is encouraged.