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Montana vs Portland State Thread

Vikings Can Play The Role Of Spoiler Against Fifth-Ranked Montana

http://www.goviks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=19300&ATCLID=1617193
 
VIKING NOTES: O-line has stayed intact for Portland State

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122583941923094500

THE GAME: Montana (8-1, 4-1 Big Sky) at Portland State (3-5, 2-3)

WHEN, WHERE: 1 p.m. Saturday, PGE Park

RADIO: KTRO (910 AM)

• Portland State has been able to start the same offensive line in every game this year, with Landan Laurusaitis at left tackle, Moses Punzal at left guard, Tyler Staley at center, Clayton Rios at right guard and Matt Leunen at right tackle. Punzal is playing with an injured thumb

• Defensive end starter Joe Ma’aseia continues to play with a thumb in a cast because of a torn ligament.

• Jayson Hobby, a freshman from Lincoln High, is on the squad as a defensive back. He played DB and then QB for the Cardinals, leading them to the state quarterfinals last year with his running, as well as his passing.

• PSU is 3-0 at home and 0-5 on the road.

• Montana has won the last three meetings with PSU, seven of the last eight and 11 of the last 13. The Grizzlies barely won at home last year 34-31 and went on to win their 10th straight Big Sky title, outright or shared.

• The Grizzlies have won four games in a row this year since losing 45-28 at Weber State. Montana is second in the conference behind the Wildcats.

• Portland State is coming off a 31-21 loss at Weber State.

• Montana’s key players include QB Cole Bergquist (second in the nation in passing efficiency) and receiver Marc Mariani (45 catches for 923 yards and 13 touchdowns).

• PSU was 3 for 3 on fake punts under Coach Jerry Glanville until last week, when punter Danny Urrego came up short on a fourth-and-3.
 
VIKING NOTES: Let Glanville count the ways PSU could go at quarterback
Montana has been the 'cowbell' of the Big Sky

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122591245612199400


VIKING NOTES: Montana rush felled Lumberjacks

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122590881434251500
 
STEVE SAYS: Grizzles too focused not to claw Portland State

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122599684807446800

A couple of weeks ago, Portland State beat the worst team in the Big Sky Conference (Idaho State).

PSU coach Jerry Glanville duty notes that it’s more fun to beat the best.

On Saturday, the Vikings get their chance to beat the team that has been the best in the Big Sky for a long, long time. Montana comes to PGE Park at 1 p.m. with a rare conference loss (to Weber State), but if the Grizzlies could get a mulligan on that game, who knows what would happen? The Griz have won four in a row since that defeat.

Things don’t look great for Portland State, whose fans will have to be vocal to keep the stadium from sounding like it’s Montana’s home game.

This is the type of clash Glanville circled on his calendar when he signed on here. He unabashedly made it a point to say the Vikings were coming after Montana. And the Vikings almost knocked off the Grizzlies last year, losing by three points in Missoula.

Unfortunately for the Viks, the Grizzlies probably remember that, And they seem to be on a mission of their own – to not lose again for a while.

Portland State has held up better this season, injury-wise, than it did a year ago, but Montana’s line play, size and depth figure to make it tough for the Vikings to stick with the Grizzlies for four quarters.

At times, of course, the Viking offense can look great, but it’s been shaky too often, misfiring on open receivers and failing to convert big plays that were there to be had.

It’ll take a solid, basically mistake-free day by the offense to give Portland State a good chance at winning Saturday.

Odds are, the Vikings will have to regroup and make their goal to finish the season on a winning streak with victories in the final two games (Montana State and Northern Colorado).

THE PICK: Montana 33, Portland State 24
 
Spoiler Alert! Vikings Hope To Upset Montana

http://www.goviks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=19300&ATCLID=1619277

As Portland State looks for a signature victory to its 2008 season, they need look no further than this Saturday’s contest against fifth-ranked Montana. The Big Sky Conference’s traditional power, Montana is trying to get into position for another league title, but must win out and hope Weber State stumbles down the stretch. The Vikings can wipe out Montana’s chance for an automatic bid into the NCAA playoffs (though not a tie for a league title), with a win over the Grizzlies.

Kickoff this Saturday for the Vikings and Grizzlies at PGE Park is 1:05 p.m. PSU will try to end a three-game losing streak to Montana. The last time the Vikings beat the Grizzlies was a 35-32 win in 2004 at PGE Park.

Portland State stands at 3-5 on the season, 2-3 in the Big Sky. The Vikings have been good at home this year, going 3-0. However, they come off a 31-21 loss at first-place and ninth-ranked Weber State last week.

Montana comes into this week’s game at 8-1 on the season, 4-1 in the Big Sky Conference. The Grizzlies only loss came against the same Weber State team, 45-28, five weeks ago. Montana will be PSU’s fourth nationally-ranked opponent in five weeks.

Portland State University Athletics will have a Victor E. Viking bobblehead giveaway commemorating Portland State’s 2008 Big Sky Basketball Championship. The first 3,000 fans to sign up will be given a free bobblehead.

Portland State’s regular season concludes with Montana State on the road (Nov. 15), and Northern Colorado at home (Nov. 22).

POINTS IN THE PARK
In 2007, there were 416 points scored in five Portland State homes games at PGE Park - an average of 83.2 points per game. As if on cue, the Vikings’ Big Sky Conference opener against Eastern Washington on Oct. 4 resulted in 83 points being scored - and a 47-36 win by the Vikings. What figured to be a big offensive show between the Vikings and Idaho State on Oct. 25 produced a paltry 49 points (but a win Viking win nonetheless).


In six Big Sky Conference games at PGE Park since Jerry Glanville became the Vikings’ Head Coach (and Mouse Davis became the offensive coordinator), there has been an average of 83.7 points scored per game. PSU is 3-3 in those games, but has outscored its opponents 262-240 (43.7-40.0). Here is a list of scores of Big Sky Conference games in PGE Park in the Glanville era.


9/15/07: Portland State 35, Sacramento State 24
10/6/07: Northern Arizona 44, Portland State 43
10/27/07: Weber State 73, Portland State 68
11/10/07: Montana State 50, Portland State 36
10/4/08: Portland State 47, Eastern Washington 36
10/25/08: Portland State 36, Idaho State 13

GAME DAY ACTIVITIES
• THE COORS LIGHT BLOCK PARTY: The Coors Light Block Party begins at 11 a.m. for all Portland State home games. The location is adjacent to PGE Park on SW Morrison between 20th and 21st avenues. All Viking fans are invited.
• Joe’s Sports and Auto will be Saturday’s Game Day Sponsor.
• Free Victor E. Viking Championship Edition bobble heads will be given away to the first 3,000 fans to sign up courtesy of Mwave.com
• Nesquik will be on hand passing out FREE Chocolate milk in the tailgate and at the exit.
• Three PSU students will have a kicking contest at halfitme for the chance to win $500 from Nesquik and Plaid Pantry.
• Portland State’s men's and women's basketball teams will be introduced at halftime.

TICKETS
Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased in prices ranging from $14 to $35, with youth prices as low as $5. Groups of 15 or more get special admission prices. To purchase tickets by phone, call 1.888.VIK.TIKS or 503.725.3307. Tickets are on sale at the PSU Ticket Office, located in Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway. You can also purchase tickets on-line at www.GoViks.com or at all TicketMaster outlets.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
TELEVISION: KPAX TV in Montana.
RADIO: Saturday’s game can be heard on AM 910 KTRO and www.am910ktro.com. Tom Hewitt (play-by-play) and Mike Lund (analyst) call the action. The pregame show begins at noon.
INTERNET: Live streaming video of all Portland State games against Big Sky Conference opponents can be seen free at www.BigSkyTV.org. Live stats for Portland State home games are at www.GoViks.com.
 
Taking on the total package
Vikings face Montana at home in a game filled with extra incentive


http://media.www.dailyvanguard.com/media/storage/paper941/news/2008/11/07/Sports/Taking.On.The.Total.Package-3531819.shtml
 
VIKING NOTES: Howland to start vs. Montana
PSU shooting for crowd of about 12,000


http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122609267479836500
 
forestgreen said:
VIKING NOTES: Howland to start vs. Montana
PSU shooting for crowd of about 12,000


http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122609267479836500

Does it really matter who starts at this point? It's either H or H, and if they don't perform, said H gets the hook.

I'd like to see some stuff from the back of the playbook tomorrow. Be it CK with the running option, or some weird formations with one of the H's. Whatever it takes to keep the Griz defense out of their game.
 
He's getting one last shot to bag the Grizzlies
PSU safety Aaron Dickson, who is 0-3 against Montana, hopes for a repeat of 2004

http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1226118329303800.xml&coll=7



VIKING NOTES: Feelings for Montana start freshman year
Kempt out of the picture at Montana State, PSU's next foe

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122615827298708700
 
Vikings let one slip away against Montana

http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2008/11/vikings_left_one_slip_away_aga.html


Grizzlies Control Viking Offense, Win 29-12

http://www.goviks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?temp_site=NO&DB_OEM_ID=19300&ATCLID=1621114


Error-free Montana turns away Vikings 29-12
Running back Reynolds wraps it up with three second-half TDs

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=122619484686566100
 
This game was hard to watch. Our quarterbacks were dreadful. A solid performance by the D was wasted. I could go on. I almost missed Tim Walsh today.
 
Yep, I'm getting pretty sick of this, too. I know a good football program can't be built in a day, but so far Mouse & Jerry have simply not delivered what they promised. Horrible games and (consequently) bad attendance. The only good thing thus far is that, successful or not, PSU athletics has much more attention now. Even if Glanville does not manage to turn the Vikings around and get fired (or quits) after year 3, this was the shake PSU sleepy football program needed. Hey, maybe we can get Tyrone Willingham next... :mrgreen:
 
We played like freshmen in the first game of the season. I expected it then; I don't expect it now. After Eastern Washington I had hopes, but not now. Defense got a B, offense stunk. Will Mouse rethink his run and shoot? Looks like everyone in the conference has adjusted to it.
 
It's always a bad omen when one of your PSU car flags snaps off on I-5 on the way to go tailgate. :-|

It all goes down to TOP. 43:21 to 16:39. You can't expect your defense to hold for that long. McCrae had one of the best games I've seen him play and it's a shame that it was all for not.

Our offense looked like a spring game offense. QBs and WRs not on the same routes, balls thrown into the turf, fumbles after catches, etc. I realize that we don't have what some would call a mobile QB, but come on. There were so many instances where the coverage is great, and either H or H stands in the pocket forever instead of moving up and taking a 3-5 yard gain on the ground. If you can't get the pass off in under 2-3 seconds, get the hell out of there and try to make some positive yards. Taking sacks and throwing into triple coverage doesn't get it done.

For the most part we were good on penalties, but the back breaker was that 2nd and 25 for UM where we late hit after Bergquist scrambled with like 6 minutes to go in the 3rd. That kept their drive alive and made it a two score game. Two straight picks by Hubel and that was all she wrote.
 
'Fun is winning. This sucks'
Head coach Jerry Glanville and the Vikings are dejected after being overpowered by Montana 29-12


http://media.www.dailyvanguard.com/media/storage/paper941/news/2008/11/07/Sports/fun-Is.Winning.This.Sucks-3532963.shtml
 
Portland State-Montana slideshow


http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2008/11/portland_statemontana_slidesho.html
 
Da Griz said:
forestgreen said:
'Fun is winning.
I was hoping for a prettier game out of our guys, too.

What is your take on this game, if you don't mind me asking?

If our offense doesn't play the worst it has in two years, this could be a different result. No disrespect to the Griz defense, as they played a hell of a game. Limit our turnovers, and time of possession could have been not so one sided.
 
martymoose said:
It's always a bad omen when one of your PSU car flags snaps off on I-5 on the way to go tailgate. :-|

It all goes down to TOP. 43:21 to 16:39. You can't expect your defense to hold for that long. McCrae had one of the best games I've seen him play and it's a shame that it was all for not.

Our offense looked like a spring game offense. QBs and WRs not on the same routes, balls thrown into the turf, fumbles after catches, etc. I realize that we don't have what some would call a mobile QB, but come on. There were so many instances where the coverage is great, and either H or H stands in the pocket forever instead of moving up and taking a 3-5 yard gain on the ground. If you can't get the pass off in under 2-3 seconds, get the hell out of there and try to make some positive yards. Taking sacks and throwing into triple coverage doesn't get it done.

For the most part we were good on penalties, but the back breaker was that 2nd and 25 for UM where we late hit after Bergquist scrambled with like 6 minutes to go in the 3rd. That kept their drive alive and made it a two score game. Two straight picks by Hubel and that was all she wrote.

Thanks for reminding me about the TOP. I heard those numbers from Hewitt on the way home from PGE and I couldn't recall ever hearing of a game with such a difference in TOP.

I'm also glad I'm not the only one who wonders why our QBs never tuck and run for an easy 3-5 yards. There have been countless opportunities for H and H to do this on 1st or 2nd down when doing so would have put us in a much better 3rd down position. To me, this has nothing to do with mobility, as even a big stiff can fall forward or slide for a couple of yards as opposed to getting sacked or throwing an interception.
 

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