2021 FCS Season Preview: Portland State Vikings
Portland State has not competed since 2019 according to the team website, likely as an effort to cover up the fact that they lost by a 41-point margin to Montana in a spring exhibition contest. 2019 was a year of many close games for the Vikings as they could have finished with three more wins if they scored on four drives they wish they could get back including a close FBS game with Arkansas. The top recruiting class from just a few years ago seems to be on of mostly duds. Can the Vikings set sail for a legacy bigger than their high school home field?
Schedule
Portland State
| Home | Away | Venue | Match Day | TV/Streaming | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Portland State  |  Hawaii | Ching Athletics Complex | Manoa, HI | - | - |
| Portland State |  Washington State | Gesa Field | Pullman. WA | - | - |
Western Oregon  | Portland State | Hillsboro Stadium | Hillsboro, OR | - | - |
Montana State  | Portland State | Hillsboro Stadium | Hillsboro, OR | - | - |
| Portland State |  Southern Utah | Eccles Coliseum | Cedar City, UT | - | - |
| Portland State |  Idaho | Kibbie Dome | Moscow, ID | - | - |
Idaho State  | Portland State | Hillsboro Stadium | Hillsboro, OR | - | - |
Cal Poly  | Portland State | Hillsboro Stadium | Hillsboro, OR | - | - |
| Portland State |  Weber State | Stewart Stadium | Ogden, UT | - | - |
| Portland State |  Sacramento State | Hornet Stadium | Sacramento, CA | - | - |
Eastern Washington  | Portland State | Hillsboro Stadium | Hillsboro, OR | - | - |
Key Players
Davis Alexander – Quarterback – 6’0″ 195 lbs. – Senior
Alexander is a true dual-threat quarterback as he rushed for over 500 yards and threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2019. On a team that is not known for its offense, Alexander puts the spark into the offense with his never-say-die attitude and always falling forward for extra yards.
Anthony Adams – Safety – 6’0″ 185 lbs. – Junior
Adams is on all of the all-conference and award lists that he possibly can be for a safety, which is even more impressive for that position. On defense, Adams has a true instinct for the ball and how to bring down the ball carrier. In 2019, Adams tallied 56 tackles, 2 TFL, 5 INT, and 1 blocked kick.
Predicted Finish
Eleventh. Despite having a Buck Buchanan Award finalist on the team it will take more than an individual effort to overcome the challenges ahead. Tough FBS competition from Hawaii and Washington State combined with having Montana State, Weber State, and Eastern Washington spell out five virtually automatic losses. There is talent defensively, but the Viking offense looks fairly bleak outside of Davis Alexander.
Records
Best: 5-6
Worst: 1-10
Predicted: 2-9 (1-7)
My name is Ben Schleiger and I’m your representative for the Big Sky Conference. I have done work for multiple newspapers and sports blogs including The Johnstown Breeze, The University of Northern Colorado Mirror, and Mile High Maniac. I am a proud alumnus of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Political Science. In my free time, I like watching sports, playing video games, and trying new foods.
I’m predicting 3-8. Class of ’87 here, so I’ve seen alot of Portland State football over the years; the good and the bad. From Mouse Davis (great!) to Jerry Glanville (horrfic), in between and after. The team desperately needs new head and offensive coaches that can connect with players and recruit consistent FCS level talent. The 2015 9-3 record was great, but it was Nigel Burton’s team. I’ve seen at least four games over the past three years that offensive play-calling, lack of discipline, and coaching has lost games. The Montana game was an embarrassment. It looked like a one player team, and that comes from poor coaching. Even my wife, when we were at a game two years ago in Hillsboro, asked: “aren’t they supposed to be going the other way?” I feel for the players. The school complains that it doesn’t have fans. When I went there, Pokey Allen was coach and there were fans. Put a decent product on the field and fans will come. Hopefully the new A. D. will understand this concept: Good coaching + good community relations = alumni support and fans.