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2013 Spring Football Practice

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forestgreen

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Spring Football Practice Opens April 8

http://www.goviks.com/news/2013/3/22/FB_0322130322.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Portland State football team will begin spring practice on Monday, April 8, at Stott Community Field. The Vikings will hold a total of 14 practices, taking the field every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through May 15. There will be no practices the week of April 22-26, as the coaches take a break for recruiting. Spring practice culminates with the annual spring game, which will be played Saturday, May 18. The site and time of the spring game are to be determined.

Head Football Coach Nigel Burton, will begin his fourth year on the Park Blocks, looking for a bounce-back season in 2013. After a promising turnaround season in 2011, in which Portland State went 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings took a step backward in 2012, finishing with a 3-8 mark overall, 2-6 in conference play.

Burton and new Defensive Coordinator Jaime Hill will rely on improvements from the Portland State defense, as well as continued success from the offense. The Vikings averaged over 438 yards and 34.8 points per game last season, so if Hill can bolster the defense, the 2013 team has a chance to be very good.

Burton returns 47 letterwinners from 2012, including 12 starters. The Vikings have six starters returning on offense, five on defense, as well as the team's long snapper. Portland State will be looking to replace starters along the offensive line and in the receiving corps – most notably, starting wide receivers Justin Monahan and Nevin Lewis – as well as All-American linebacker Ian Sluss and strengthening the defensive backfield. The kicker and punter positions will also have heated battles for starting roles.

Key returning players for the Vikings include four seniors who were 2012 All-Big Sky Honorable Mention selections: running back DJ Adams, center Mitch Gaulke, linebacker Jaycob Shoemaker, and left tackle Mitchell Van Dyk. Sophomore quarterback Kieran McDonagh, who had perhaps the best freshman season of any quarterback in PSU history last year, returns under center, as well as running backs Shaquille Richard and Justin Lilley, sophomore receiver Thomas Carter, who was voted the team's Most Improved Player in 2012, and junior guard Cornelius Edison. On defense, linemen Zack Ka'ahanui and Nick Alexander are back, and the secondary returns cornerback Dennis Fite and safeties David Edgerson and Nick Rothstein. Sophomore long snapper Kameron Canaday also comes back in 2013, as well as 10 other players who have made starts for the Vikings.

A handful of 2013 signees will be available for spring practice among the 24 that have joined the program. They include tight ends Hayden Plinke and Tyson Heller, linebackers Jeremy Lutali and Jake Woolley, punter Marcus Kinsella, and defensive tackle Joe Lopez.

The Vikings open the regular season on September 7, when they travel to play Pac-12 foe California. They return to JELD-WEN Field for a home opener on September 14, hosting Humboldt State.

Other Key Dates:
Portland State Football Coaches' Clinic, May 10-11
Evergreen GaveKal Coaches' Open Golf Tournament, May 17 (The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club)
Viking Football Camps, June 2013

2013 SPRING FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Monday, April 8 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, April 10 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, April 12 1:30-4:00 PM
Monday, April 15 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, April 17 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, April 19 1:30-4:00 PM
*No practice April 22-26 – Recruiting break*
Monday, April 29 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 1 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, May 3 1:30-4:00 PM
Monday, May 6 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 8 1:30-4:00 PM
Friday, May 10 1:30-4:00 PM
Monday, May 13 1:30-4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 15 1:30-4:00 PM
Saturday, May 18 Spring Game, site and time TBA
 
I hope to make it to a few practices this Spring. Go Viks!

Football Team Starts Spring Drills Next Monday

http://www.goviks.com/news/2013/4/3/FB_0403134807.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
They are definitely leaving open (at least publicly) that the QB position is up for grabs. I think we'll know a lot about who is the odds on favorite once spring ball is over. I don't think they can afford to go into Fall not knowing who the #1 will be. There are so many other things to tweak, that there needs to be some consistency behind center.
 
GreenGiant said:
They are definitely leaving open (at least publicly) that the QB position is up for grabs. I think we'll know a lot about who is the odds on favorite once spring ball is over. I don't think they can afford to go into Fall not knowing who the #1 will be. There are so many other things to tweak, that there needs to be some consistency behind center.
Click to expand...

We didn't know until late into fall camp last year who the starting QB was season. I suspect that it will be the same this year.

I think that the message board chat will be more on the defensive side this spring/fall. I think we've proven that offenses that produce points are nothing when the defense can't stop anything.
 
The one big difference Marty is that last year, the position was wide open with the graduation of Kav. I agree that defense is going to be the focus, but I guess I was thinking along the lines of once fall camp opens wouldn't it be better to have your number 1 in place, not have the question mark so you can continue to fix what's broken rather than what isn't? However, if KM doesn't show that he's grown into the position this spring there could still be some uncertainty. I guess we'll just have to watch and see what happens.
 
Kavanaugh set a respectable milestone -- he was a Vik QB with options. But even he would agree that we need to build up on his (and others') shoulders. Who were the best we had at the various positions? We need to build on their shoulders, go forward in development, and not regress.
medium_Neil_Lomax_passes.jpg
medium_Fuqua_Ryan_HOF_1213.jpg

xsmall_ClintDidier.jpg
xsmall_TraceyEaton.jpg

Hail to the Vikings! ......Clint Didier ........and .................Tracy Eaton
Imagine the best Viks across time being on the same team. Take the best we have across time, and recruit so as to bring those like them onto the same time and team, and being coached up as units firing on all cylinders.

In such case, you couldn't keep us Portland Staters from the stadium: We'd be oozing with university pride. Right now, our teams are curiosities for whom people dip into the stadium live on occasion to note the program's progress. While we are hopeful, this season needs to see the crystalline structure begin to take hold, the kind we understand that will not recede, but will set the foundation and tone for punctuating forward development.

What I would love to see is an All-Time line-up of best Offensive and Defensive Linemen, as that is more challenging to discern. Receivers, Linebackers, Safeties and Corners we can highly discern as well.
 
Spring Practice Begins, Players Chime In

http://www.goviks.com/news/2013/4/8/FB_0408133659.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Some interesting talking points from the above article:

• Shoring up the defense under new Defensive Coordinator Jamie Hill.
• Sorting out the defensive backfield situation that was hindered by a number of injuries and inexperience in 2012.
• Finding out which of a host of returning receivers is ready to step in for big playing time after the loss of seniors Justin Monahan, Nevin Lewis and Keitrell Anderson, and tight ends Kalua Noa and Gage Loftin.
• Maintaining the outstanding production of an offensive line that graduated veteran Kyle Ritt and Joey Esposito.
• Seeing who puts their best feet forward in a crowded battle for the kicking and punting roles vacated by Zach Brown and Thomas Duyndam.
• Incorporating transfer linebackers Jake Woolley and Jeremy Lutali, and redshirt Daniel Halverson after the loss of All-American linebacker Ian Sluss and standout Khalil Bass.
• Seeing if Collin Ramirez and redshirt Paris Penn can challenge Kieran McDonagh for playing time at quarterback after an outstanding freshman season.
 
I take it that Louis Davis moved to QB?

http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2013/04/portland_state_opens_spring_pr.html#incart_river_default" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Coverage from The Oregonian with photos (did I die and go to heaven?):

Portland State Opens Spring Practice (photos)

http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2013/04/portland_state_opens_spring_pr.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
martymoose said:
I take it that Louis Davis moved to QB?

http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2013/04/portland_state_opens_spring_pr.html#incart_river_default" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Click to expand...

The Oregonian is mixing up Louis Davis with Paris Penn! Hey, it's the Big-O, one mistake isn't too bad! :lol:
 
forestgreen said:
martymoose said:
I take it that Louis Davis moved to QB?

http://photos.oregonlive.com/photo-essay/2013/04/portland_state_opens_spring_pr.html#incart_river_default" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Click to expand...

The Oregonian is mixing up Louis Davis with Paris Penn! Hey, it's the Big-O, one mistake isn't too bad! :lol:
Click to expand...

I figured as much. I ended up looking up Davis on the roster, and the pictures seemed a bit off...
 
And now the article from The Oregonian:

Portland State football: Vikings look to establish identity in spring practice

http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2013/04/portland_state_football_viking_27.html#incart_more_sports" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
OLine - looks solid with some pretty good depth.
RBs - Look good. Steven Long getting lots of reps, Adams and Richards both look solid when they are in.
TE - Still pretty open. Some depth here but nobody stands out yet.
WR - Lots of speed, but not enough completitons.Carter at Slot position looks very good.
QB- Still questionable. It's spring but there have been a lot of inconsistencies in the passing game.

DLine - has looked very solid. should be a strong point again.
LBs - Lots of players getting reps here. Some starters are out with minor injuries right now.
DBs - look good at times, especially at corner, but still some gaps here.
 
Guychamp said:
OLine - looks solid with some pretty good depth.
RBs - Look good. Steven Long getting lots of reps, Adams and Richards both look solid when they are in.
TE - Still pretty open. Some depth here but nobody stands out yet.
WR - Lots of speed, but not enough completitons.Carter at Slot position looks very good.
QB- Still questionable. It's spring but there have been a lot of inconsistencies in the passing game.

DLine - has looked very solid. should be a strong point again.
LBs - Lots of players getting reps here. Some starters are out with minor injuries right now.
DBs - look good at times, especially at corner, but still some gaps here.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.

Any thoughts on special teams?
 
Finally word on spring practice! Many thanks. Specifically, what about the kickers? Lots of competition there.
 
Actually, there are five of them. Four freshmen and a junior. The tried and true is Fernandez, who stepped in handily when Brown was hurt. For your average game he does the job. He's accurate up to forty yards, spotty in the forties and I think 50 is out of his reach. The other kickers are Crist (red shirt) and Heerspink (red shirt). Both are soccer players. Heerspink may have the distance. The interesting ones are the two listed as punters. Kinsella, another Aussie, actually looked good as a kicker on film, though he's also good as punter. Loomis is the wild card. 3-4 years ago he punted as a freshman at OSU and did a good job. He's big - 6'3". He may be the oldest player on the roster.
I'd guess Fernandez has the kicking job unless one of the other two prove they can hit 50 yards. It's a toss-up between Kinsella and Loomis. Kinsella is a known quantity - Loomis will have to prove that he can still punt after several years in the army.
 
Great article from Ian, as usual:

Portland State football: How do the Vikings look after six spring practices?

http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2013/04/portland_state_football_how_do.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Portland State defense ended the first portion of spring football on a high note Friday, blocking a field goal attempt to win the final competition period before a one-week break from practicing. The blocked kick came on the last play of an informal 62-play scrimmage that should provide plenty of fodder for the coaches and players to examine before they retake the practice field a week from Monday.

"I was pretty pleased," coach Nigel Burton said. "I thought we were able to run the ball effectively, but we were able to stop the run when we needed. We made big plays and the defense responded to adversity pretty well, which is something maybe we didn't do very well last year … They flew around today, that was the biggest thing – guys were hitting, they were flying around, diving catches, big blocks, big hits, it was fun."

With only six practices under their belt, it would be premature to make any bold statements about the team, but one thing seems to be clear: the defense has a ways to go to catch up with the offense.

This shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with the Vikings. The defense struggled consistently last year, leading to the midseason dismissal of defensive coordinator Eric Jackson. New defensive coordinator Jaime Hill is trying to shore up the unit but is doing so without many of the key playmakers who graduated and with a handful of transfers new to the program.

"Defensively it was a little up and down early on," Burton said. "They're trying to do what we ask in terms of the way in which we play."

Burton seemed happy with the emergent play of his young defensive line, but admitted it has been "a little interesting" working with a linebacking corps that graduated its two of its top three tacklers and a secondary that is still very young.

"We'll continue to install more things on the defense, but it's more important that we do a few things well than a lot of things average. We've infused some new concepts in the secondary and we'll kind of keep working through those things before we install (more)."

While the defense retools, the offense seems to be clicking well for early in camp. Junior wide receiver Roston Tatum has been the star of the camp, making big catches and outrunning defenders every day. Running back Shaquille Richard and D.J. Adams have both looked strong and grayshirt freshman Steven Long, the former 6A Player of the Year from Lake Oswego High, has done much to show that a 5-foot-6 running back can hold his own against Division I talent.

Here's a look at how the Vikings have fared broken down by position.

QB: If Kieran McDonagh got tired of drawing comparisons to a linebacker last year as a freshman, he might want to tone down his weight room sessions as he is unquestionably bigger this year than he was last year. The big question here is whether McDonagh can regain the explosive running ability he showed before sustaining a knee injury last year. If he can, it's hard to picture him losing the starting gig. If he can't, redshirt freshman Paris Penn will be knocking on his door with his blend of speed, arm strength and leadership.

WR: There's no question that Tatum has made the most head-turning plays so far this spring. He has always looked the part of a star wide receiver and now he is making it look easy. If he can keep this up he could be a breakout star. Sophomore Thomas Carter figures to offer a nice compliment to Tatum, as could junior Alex Toureen if he can stay on the field. Sophomore David Jones has earned a reputation as one of the team's hardest workers but hasn't had the on field success to match yet. Redshirt freshman Jamarr Graves has also shown improved hands and could be a weapon.

RB: Richard and Adams both look strong and make this one of the team's deeper positions. The undersized Long has shown a knack for bouncing off tackles and has made some tough blocks. Senior Justin Lilley adds experience and the same hard-nosed approach he has brought the last three years. When freshman Nate Tago joins this group in the fall it should be fun.

TE: Boise State transfer Hayden Plinke, a Glencoe High grad, has yet to see action because of a minor injury, leaving fellow transfer Tyson Heller to compete with a group of underclassmen led by redshirt freshman Cam Sommer.

OL: Despite graduating some key players, don't expect any drop off in coach Brad Davis's line. Returning seniors Mitchell Van Dyk and Mitch Gaulke both have all-conference potential and 6-7 Eastern Washington transfer Caleb Worthington adds another big presence. Junior Cornelius Edison could also be in line for a breakout season.

DT: Oregon State transfer Joe Lopez has made a quick, smooth transition to tackle. Senior Zack Ka'ahanui was also solid before going down with what looked to be a serious knee injury in Friday's scrimmage. Junior Vincent Johnson and sophomore Junior Alexis look improved. Senior Julious Moore has not been practicing and Burton said he is dealing with academic issues.

DE: Senior Nick Alexander has carried over the momentum from a strong junior season. Fellow seniors Bryant Long and Jeremy Boone will be in the mix, as will impressive sophomore Sadat Sulleyman.

LB: Linebacker is as unsettled as at any time in recent memory for the Vikings. Senior Jaycob Shoemaker finished second on the team in tackles last year, but is yet to see any spring action with a shoulder injury. Sophomores Zach Walen and Brandon Brody-Heim and junior Corey Crowder are battling transfer Jeremy Lutali for the prime reps. At 6-4, JC transfer Jake Wooley could a huge presence, but is still learning. Redshirt freshman Daniel Halverson, from Grant High, was not at Friday's practice and was said to be debating leaving the team.

CB: Sophomore Aaron Sibley and senior Dennis Fite are the clear starters on the corners, with sophomore Demetrius Jackson and redshirt freshman Chevy Walker seeing plenty of reps. The group seems to have a positive attitude, but has still shown the propensity for mistakes that led to numerous opponent touchdowns last year.

S: Sophomore Nick Rothstein and senior David Edgerson are back. Sophomore Walter Santiago is seeing plenty of action while senior Dean Faddis remains sidelined with injuries.

Special teams: Junior Nick Fernandez is the kicker. Aussie-transfer Marcus Kinsella is battling 25-yr-old Kyle Loomis, a former Oregon State punter, for punting duties.
 
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