Vikings head to battle this weekend

The Portland State football program has persevered and stayed undefeated after two close conference matchups in early Big Sky play. The team’s 2-0 conference record is a huge boost toward the development of Portland State’s football program, but the greatest test of the season still lies ahead. The Vikings will host the third-ranked Montana State Bobcats, the defending Big Sky champions, this Saturday at Jeld-Wen Field. Both teams have showed a high level of play this season, but only one team will top the standings of the Big Sky after the weekend is over.

The Vikings (3-1 overall, 2-0 Big Sky) are coming off a 42-35 triumph over Idaho State, where a school-record 436 yards were racked up on the ground. Despite the strong showing, Portland State has seen little success when facing ranked opponents. Since joining the Big Sky in 1996, Portland State has gone 14-27 against ranked FCS opponents. The Viks have dropped 10 straight games against ranked opponents and have not defeated the Bobcats in the last five seasons, with Montana State (4-1 overall, 2-0 Big Sky) taking eight of the last nine games against the Vikings.

Success has not been a word associated with Portland State football in recent years, but 22 returning starters on the roster has helped boost the team’s consistency this season. However, last season’s heartbreaking defeat to Montana State is still fresh in many player’s minds. The Viks took an 18-3 lead over the Bobcats in the first quarter only to see it slip away as Montana State scored the next 41 points. Portland State fought back into the game, adding 248 yards on the ground with All-Big Sky running back Cory McCaffrey contributing 153 yards and two touchdowns. Portland State compiled 456 yards of total offense, but failed to complete the comeback and fell 44-31 against the then-10th ranked Bobcats.

The Vikings have shown strides of improvement since last season, currently leading the conference in a number of categories. The team is averaging 312.8 yards per game rushing and is currently leading the Big Sky in total offense, scoring offense, rushing defense and tackles for losses. The Portland State offense has made a huge impact in 2011 as the team is averaging 464.3 yards of total offense and 34.5 points per game.

Despite a quiet start to the passing game for senior quarterback Connor Kavanaugh, the pistol offense has allowed Kavanaugh to make passes when needed or tuck the ball and run if the opportunity arises. Kavanaugh has only completed 28 of 49 passes for 319 yards, which puts him at the tail end of the conference for passing statistics, but after running for a blistering
212 yards against Idaho State, it’s apparent that the team doesn’t need big numbers in the air to win games. Junior wide out Justin Monahan has been Kavanaugh’s number one target, making the most of his few opportunities, with 241 receiving yards on 17 catches for a 14.2-yard average.

The emphasis for the Vikings offense has been on the running game, with Kavanaugh and McCaffrey leading the charge. Even with McCaffrey missing one game this season, the two players have run for a combined 953 yards through the first four games. McCaffrey currently leads the nation in rushing at the FCS level, averaging 169.7 yards per game with Kavanaugh not far behind, averaging 111 yards rushing. The pair have accounted for 14 of the team’s touchdowns this season.

A balanced running attack helped the Vikings take down conference foes Idaho State as well as Northern Arizona, but Portland State will likely need an even stronger effort against Montana State. The Bobcats have won four straight games after starting their 2011 campaign with a 27-10 loss at the University of Utah. This season the Bobcats have put their power game on display, defeating the defending national champion Eastern Washington Eagles 36-21 as well as taking down Sacramento State in conference play.

The Bobcats will test the Portland State offense efficiency on the ground as they lead the conference in fewest yards allowed (292.8), as well as fewest points allowed per game (18), while Portland State has scored over 30 points in three of their four games. The Bobcats defense has been adept at sniffing out the run, allowing only 115.6 yards per game on the ground, which places them second in the conference behind Portland State. The Viks have held opponents to 104.8 rushing yards per game this season.

The Montana State offense will be tough to predict, as the Bobcats have used a very balanced attack this season, averaging 204.2 yards rushing as well as 224.2 passing.

The Portland State defense faltered against the Bobcats last season, but there have been major additions made to the roster this year, including senior defensive lineman and Texas Tech transfer Myles Wade. Returning veterans, including linebacker Ryan Rau and safety DeShawn Shead, bring important added experience to the table. Rau currently leads the defense with 36 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

The Vikings 2011 football campaign marches on this weekend, as the Vikings attempt to shake off the school’s past failures and keep pushing forward toward a more successful future. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. this Saturday at Jeld-Wen Field. The game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet, but you can also follow the game on GoViks.com or listen to the broadcast on Freedom 970 AM.