2023 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL 4 | 2023 Vikings Football VIKINGS GAME DAY Viking fans get fired up at a recent game. Mark Boling Portland State has reset its goals for the final two games of the season and it starts today in the home finale against the 3rd-ranked Montana Grizzlies. The Vikings entered November with a chance to contend for the top of the Big Sky Conference and a possible post-season berth. However, a 37-23 road loss to UC Davis last Saturday has eliminated those possibilities. Still, Portland State can make waves in their remaining games if they can knock off the Griz, then go to Northern Colorado next week to compete for a winning overall and Big Sky Conference record. PSU is 4-5 on the season, 3-3 in the Big Sky going into today’s game. The Vikings are in a six-way tie for fourth place in the Big Sky so a high finish in league play is still on the table. PSU is 3-1 at home and has averaged 55.2 points in home games. Montana comes into the contest at 8-1 overall, 5-1 in the Big Sky. The Griz are tied for first place and seeking their first league title since 2011. If PSU can beat Montana it would do serious damage to that league championship dream as the Griz are currently tied with Idaho and Montana State. The Griz bring the best scoring defense in the Big Sky to Hillsboro Stadium. They allow only 15.8 points per game. Run defense is a strength as well at just 83.9 yards per game allowed on the ground. Both numbers lead the Big Sky and will test the Vikings, whose team strength is the running game. PSU saw its ground game limited against the Aggies last Saturday and that was a key to the Vikings’ loss. Montana has won the last three games in the series with Portland State. The Vikings most recent wins were 2015 and 2018. VIKINGS TO HONOR 11 SENIORS Portland State will honor 11 seniors playing in their final home game this week. A ceremony prior to the game with Montana will recognize their contributions to the Viking Football Program. They are: WR Marquis Spiker, WR Jermaine Braddock, CB Isaiah Avery, WR Maclaine Griffin, RB Andrew Van Buren, LB Isaiah Henry, P George Triplett, OL Shiloh Ta’ase, OL Dallas Holliday, LB Ian Crocker, DT Dino Kahaulelio. STORYLINES • WHICH SON WANTS TO BEAT HIS FATHER MORE?: Cooper Barnum, son of Portland State Coach Bruce Barnum, plays VIKINGS CAN PLAY THE ROLE OF SPOILER AGAINST GRIZZLIES
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