2023 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL 4 | 2023 Vikings Football VIKINGS GAME DAY Christian Grubb (23, center) broke through this melee of defenders for a 60-yard punt return for touchdown. Mark Boling Three weeks of football have passed and the Portland State Vikings have a 1-2 record. But there is still much to be learned about PSU as the Vikings step into Big Sky Conference play today against Cal Poly. Portland State left no doubt about who the better team was at Hillsboro Stadium last Saturday afternoon in a 91-0 win over NAIA North American. However, after three weeks of non-conference football it is still difficult to know exactly who the Vikings are. They have played a pair of FBS teams (both losses) and a lower division team (a big win). Still, PSU will not be measured by any of those results. The real test – and analysis – can begin today against Cal Poly. PSU’s FCS games will determine where they belong in the Big Sky Conference, arguably the strongest FCS league in the nation, and perhaps on a national level. Today’s game provides an opportunity to start league play at the top of the Big Sky. The Vikings will also attempt to avenge a loss to Cal Poly (49-42) in last season’s finale. In that game, JR QB Dante Chachere went down with an injury in the first half and the Vikings soon found themselves playing catch up. PSU is relatively healthy behind Chachere this season. With a deep group of running backs and a deep group of wide receivers, Coach Bruce Barnum expects has the potential to be explosive offensively. The defense, a youthful group up front, has shown great potential. They shut out lower division North American and held them to -23 yards total offense. However, the area the Vikings hope to improve in Big Sky play is getting pressure to opposing quarterbacks. If they can do that, a veteran group of LBs and DBs should benefit and have the opportunity to create turnovers. Cal Poly comes into today’s game with a 2-1 record under first-year Head Coach Paul Wulff. The Mustangs have wins over San Diego of the Pioneer league and Division II Lincoln University. The loss came at San Jose State. Success in Big Sky game one at home appears vital as Portland State goes on the road next week to face third-ranked Montana State, possibly the Vikings’ most challenging conference game of the season. STORYLINES • Portland State is 14-12 in Big Sky Conference home openers. • Both schools were members of the Division II Western Football Conference from 1982-1992. PSU held a 7-4 series advantage over Cal Poly THE REAL VIKINGS SHOULD BE REVEALED TODAY IN BIG SKY OPENER
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