Postland State (discussion and predictions)

[mtjack]

I expect Portland State on Saturday to be a sprint to the finish track meet just like last season. Are the Vikings holding a grudge after the end of that one?

NAU's run defense has been stout so far but will serve little purpose as PSU runs the ball merely to give Hubel's or Howland's shoulder a break every fifth or sixth offensive play. Their run offense seems to be serve decorative purposes and not much else.

Can the Jacks put pressure on Hubel? Can the Jacks secondary at least slow down the offense a bit with a pick or two and some pass deflections or will Hubel continue his Neil Lomax impersonation and pass for 850 yards? Pass D hasn't been their strenth up to this point.

Can the Jacks generate a grind it out, consistent running game to eat up the clock against what seems to be a porous defense at best?

Can special teams continue to play a deciding factor, on the positive end, for the Jacks?

Or will it turn into a game in which the winner is the team with the fewest turnovers and is the one holding the ball on the last play?

Hoping to catch the start of the game on bigskytv.org. It's free and if your computer connection is reasonable quick it seems to work okay.

Prediction:

NAU 48
Vikings 40

 

[martymoose]

Regarding the running game for PSU...

Our fullback (Bobby McClintock) only has 20 rushing attempts this season, but he is usually on the receiving end of a shovel pass play that we run. That play goes on the books as a pass, but it is more/less a run play in the run and shoot the way that we use it since it's designed to catch the defense off guard as a pseudo run play.

Time of possession is a huge deal when playing PSU. If you can keep our defense on the field, it usually results in bad things for us. That being said, the 3rd down conversions will be key.

I'll say this. If the PSU defense can get some early holds on the NAU ground game, and get a couple quick scores, it'll be a Viking victory since that will take NAU out of their bread and butter game.

If NAU can get it done on the ground and start to really win the TOP game, I think NAU will pull it off.

Should be an entertaining Big Sky Conference football game.

 

[mtjack]

Marty,

Greetings. Thank you for the inside scoop on the Viks approach.

I wish I was in Flagstaff this weekend to watch the game as this has the signs of being a barn burner.

What kind of crowds does PSU get at home? I walked past PGE Park when I was out there in March for the BSC bball tourney. I"m guessing its initial purpose is baseball with football being secondary?

MTJack

 

[martymoose]

Marty,

Greetings. Thank you for the inside scoop on the Viks approach.

I wish I was in Flagstaff this weekend to watch the game as this has the signs of being a barn burner.

What kind of crowds does PSU get at home? I walked past PGE Park when I was out there in March for the BSC bball tourney. I"m guessing its initial purpose is baseball with football being secondary?

MTJack

We averaged 10k last year after years of pretty much zero advertising in the local market, and some average attendance figures between 6k and 7k. I'd say that we'll average about 9k when all is said and done this year. Maybe 8500. Depends on our play.

PGE Park. Yeah, it's more/less a baseball venue after the renovation.

Here's a bit on the history: http://pgepark.com/stadium/history/

On a side note, there is an effort right now to bring MLS to Portland. That would involve another renovation that would turn the place into a baseball/football only venue with natural turf. I'm not holding my breath, but the MLS cause does have a bit of steam.