The spring season for Portland State football came to a close last Saturday in the offense versus defense spring-game match-up. So far, offseason training has arguably been the best the Viks’ football program has seen in a number of years, with depth showing in a number of needed positions.
The final score of the spring game fell 44-32 in favor of the offense, and despite the odd scoring rules that made the match more of a drill than an actual game, both sides looked much improved and more confident from where the program stood only one year ago.
The 2011 spring football game was not done in a traditional fashion with the team split into two separate squads. Instead, there was only one defense and one offense side that remained on the field and a unique point system was created for both sides. The offense attained points from traditional scoring (six points for a touchdown, one for an extra points, etc.), but also received one point for each first down. However, points for the defense came from making big plays or stops. A defensive stop was good for one point, creating a three and out was worth three, a takeaway (forced fumble, interception) was good for six points and if the offense missed a field goal or extra point, the defense was awarded one point as well.
Quarterback Connor Kavanaugh started the first series of the game, leading the offense down the field to an impressive 53-yard field goal booted in by kicker Zack Brown. Kavanaugh, the starter for the Viks last season, played only two series, finishing 3-5 on passing for 43 yards and running for 14 yards also.
The duration of the offensive series were manned by either freshman quarterback Josh Milhollin or senior Justin Engstrom. Both
players had great moments, with Engstrom showing much more poise in the pocket, while Milhollin was a stronger threat running the ball. Engstrom was an impressive 11-14 on passing for 148 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Roston Tatum. Milhollin ran for 66 yards on 10 carries to lead the team in rushing, but was only 3-13 for 48 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Despite the absence of Drew Hubel, who’s still healing from a shoulder injury, and Kavanaugh’s limited playing time, Engstrom and
Milhollin’s overall performances were promising and displayed the depth at the quarterback position the Vikings currently possess.
The receiving core showed strong production as well. Six different receivers caught passes for 16 or more yards, with Justin Monahan and Roston Tatum leading the bunch. Monahan finished with 57 yards on three receptions, including a 12-yard touchdown catch from Milhollin. Tatum finished with 57 yards, after pulling in an impressive 46-yard touchdown catch from Engstrom. The big plays were contagious for the offense and Monahan was happy to see such production out of his squad in their final bout before the summer.
“We moved the ball pretty well,” Monahan said. “I think we improved a lot this spring and our confidence level is as high as it has ever been coming into fall.”
In the end, the offense was able to pull out the win, but more importantly, they created scoring opportunities against a much- improved defense, something coach Burton believed they are capable of with or without Kavanaugh taking the snaps.
“I think the offense did a great job today,” Burton said with confidence. “They moved the ball well and consistently, and were able to get some big plays. I’m very proud of them.”
The offense may have won the overall game, but it was the defense that showed the greatest progression. After an underwhelming 2010 campaign, the defense became one of the main focuses in spring practices, and on Saturday all their hard work showed on the field.
The defense shut down the running game, allowing only 88 yards on the ground off 35 carries. Three different players finished with a QB sack, two of the tackles resulting in an eight-yard loss or more. The linebacking crew looked like a completely different squad, as they created problems for the offense all afternoon.
Linebackers Joel Sisler and Ryan Rau helped to stop the run game, with Sisler finishing with a team-high seven tackles and Rau getting four tackles and a sack. Khalil Bass added an interception, as he picked off Milhollin in the closing minutes of the game.
Although they did struggle with penalties early in the game, overall the defense showed a strong presence. Five different players finished with tackles for losses.
“We came out flat early which is weird for us,” Burton said. “It’s not really their personality, but once they started going, they started making plays, which was really fun to watch.”
The strong finish was a great way for the team to go out before the summer, but key players know there is room for improvement between now and fall camp.
“I think we beat ourselves up a little bit,” Rau said. “We need to be more disciplined. I felt like our linebackers played great today though. I can’t wait for this next season. Overall, I thought we did a really solid job.”
The Viks will now patiently wait for the fall season, which begins when Portland State faces Southern Oregon University at Jeld-Wen field on September 3. Signs of improvement are certainly there and with quality depth developing at each position, the Vikings look to not only improve from last season, but hope to get in the mix for a possible Big Sky Conference championship as well. ?