Portland State football: Freshmen step up for Vikings
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The freshmen are running wild for Portland State football. Quarterback Kieran McDonagh has stolen some of the headlines this season by becoming the most prolific freshman passer in Portland State history, but he is not the only freshman having a big impact for the Vikings.
McDonagh is one of nine true freshmen who have played this season. Add in the 10 redshirt freshmen who have contributed, and it's the largest group of freshmen contributors since Nigel Burton took over as head coach in 2010.
In last week's 49-21 win at UC Davis, the Vikings' starting lineup featured four true freshmen -- the most since 2009. It's possible that even more freshmen could be starting today when the Vikings host Northern Colorado at Jeld-Wen Field.
The quick rise hasn't surprised them.
"I think every kid in our class thought they were going to contribute and they have been contributing from the minute they stepped in here," said freshman Nick Rothstein, who played at Jesuit High School. "Everyone expected to do everything they were asked of and more so I don't think anyone is shocked that he is playing. They're all just happy for the opportunity."
After landing what many experts deemed one of the top recruiting classes in the country, Burton had hoped to redshirt the majority of the group.
But injuries and inconsistent play forced Burton to expedite his timeline, inserting Rothstein at strong safety in game five and starting Aaron Sibley at cornerback twice. Both are true freshmen.
"We have so much youth and inexperience and now it's starting to get to the point where those guys have game experience -- they're not freshmen anymore," he said. "They're starting to make the plays we expect them to make and we're starting to see the results. I think the guys are continuing to buy into the way in which we are trying to get them to practice and play the game and I think that really paid off at UC Davis."
Any discussion of freshman contributions has to start with McDonagh, from Vancouver's Skyview High. Since becoming the first true freshman to start a season opener in Portland State history, McDonagh has posted impressive numbers. With 1,846 passing yards he has already surpassed Neil Lomax's 42-year-old school record for passing yards by a freshman. He is also the third leading rusher on the team, with 328 yards and eight touchdowns. His average of 271.8 yards per game of total offense is 20th best in the nation -- the best of any freshman.
Redshirt freshman Thomas Carter has established himself as one of McDonagh's favorite targets. The speedy former quarterback has made a smooth transition to flanker and leads the team with 22 catches. Freshman Darnell Adams, a Newberg High grad, has also worked his way into the wide receiver rotation, seeing action in seven games.
On defense, Rothstein and Sibley are still learning in the secondary, but have shown signs that they will be part of the solution. Local high school linebacker products Zach Walen and Brandon Brody-Heim, of Lake Oswego High and Union High (Wash.), have seen extensive time on special teams and defense. Junior Alexis, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive tackle, was on the field almost as soon as he transferred from Miami just before the season. Central Catholic grad Jacob Nall and grayshirt Sadat Sulleyman have also cracked the rotation on defense.
That's not even mentioning Kameron Canaday, the longsnapper from Sheldon High, who has solidified the Vikings special teams since becoming eligible three weeks ago.
Sometimes keeping track of so many young, new faces can be overwhelming.
"There was a point on the field where I told a coaching friend of mine that it was a little scary because we had five new freshmen on the field at one time," Burton said. "It was a little unnerving, but they made plays and they did a nice job on the game.
"It's actually really fun because in the end you're seeing them grow and get better and have success. The looks on their faces -- they don't look like they're on the freeway anymore -- it's pretty cool."
http://www.oregonlive.com/vikings/index.ssf/2012/11/portland_state_football_freshm_1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The freshmen are running wild for Portland State football. Quarterback Kieran McDonagh has stolen some of the headlines this season by becoming the most prolific freshman passer in Portland State history, but he is not the only freshman having a big impact for the Vikings.
McDonagh is one of nine true freshmen who have played this season. Add in the 10 redshirt freshmen who have contributed, and it's the largest group of freshmen contributors since Nigel Burton took over as head coach in 2010.
In last week's 49-21 win at UC Davis, the Vikings' starting lineup featured four true freshmen -- the most since 2009. It's possible that even more freshmen could be starting today when the Vikings host Northern Colorado at Jeld-Wen Field.
The quick rise hasn't surprised them.
"I think every kid in our class thought they were going to contribute and they have been contributing from the minute they stepped in here," said freshman Nick Rothstein, who played at Jesuit High School. "Everyone expected to do everything they were asked of and more so I don't think anyone is shocked that he is playing. They're all just happy for the opportunity."
After landing what many experts deemed one of the top recruiting classes in the country, Burton had hoped to redshirt the majority of the group.
But injuries and inconsistent play forced Burton to expedite his timeline, inserting Rothstein at strong safety in game five and starting Aaron Sibley at cornerback twice. Both are true freshmen.
"We have so much youth and inexperience and now it's starting to get to the point where those guys have game experience -- they're not freshmen anymore," he said. "They're starting to make the plays we expect them to make and we're starting to see the results. I think the guys are continuing to buy into the way in which we are trying to get them to practice and play the game and I think that really paid off at UC Davis."
Any discussion of freshman contributions has to start with McDonagh, from Vancouver's Skyview High. Since becoming the first true freshman to start a season opener in Portland State history, McDonagh has posted impressive numbers. With 1,846 passing yards he has already surpassed Neil Lomax's 42-year-old school record for passing yards by a freshman. He is also the third leading rusher on the team, with 328 yards and eight touchdowns. His average of 271.8 yards per game of total offense is 20th best in the nation -- the best of any freshman.
Redshirt freshman Thomas Carter has established himself as one of McDonagh's favorite targets. The speedy former quarterback has made a smooth transition to flanker and leads the team with 22 catches. Freshman Darnell Adams, a Newberg High grad, has also worked his way into the wide receiver rotation, seeing action in seven games.
On defense, Rothstein and Sibley are still learning in the secondary, but have shown signs that they will be part of the solution. Local high school linebacker products Zach Walen and Brandon Brody-Heim, of Lake Oswego High and Union High (Wash.), have seen extensive time on special teams and defense. Junior Alexis, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound defensive tackle, was on the field almost as soon as he transferred from Miami just before the season. Central Catholic grad Jacob Nall and grayshirt Sadat Sulleyman have also cracked the rotation on defense.
That's not even mentioning Kameron Canaday, the longsnapper from Sheldon High, who has solidified the Vikings special teams since becoming eligible three weeks ago.
Sometimes keeping track of so many young, new faces can be overwhelming.
"There was a point on the field where I told a coaching friend of mine that it was a little scary because we had five new freshmen on the field at one time," Burton said. "It was a little unnerving, but they made plays and they did a nice job on the game.
"It's actually really fun because in the end you're seeing them grow and get better and have success. The looks on their faces -- they don't look like they're on the freeway anymore -- it's pretty cool."
