The season is winding down and the Grizzly fanbase is somewhere between elated that they’re 10-0 and freaking out because of last week’s narrow EWU win. Meanwhile, the team is getting focused to hit the road for one last time in the regular season to face off against… rival… Portland State.
It’s been a real bad year for PSU, they were staring down the barrel of a winless season until a rather improbable win against Cal Poly. PSU’s media roster stated that 7 starters returned to the team on offense from last year, and just 3 on defense. Obviously we’re well aware of one of their prior LB starters – Peyton Wing – who is now a Griz.
As I’ve posted in prior weeks, here’s how PSU stacks up across the conference:
Portland State Vikings 1-9
0-42 loss vs Tarleton State - Tarleton had 301 rushing yards to go with 150 passing all while holding PSU to just 277 total yards. PSU also tossed 3 picks including a pick-6 TD in the game.
0-69 loss @ BYU – It was 49-0 at the half. PSU had a TOTAL of 51 yards in the game (56 passing, -5 rushing). While BYU had 468 rushing alone. PSU crossed midfield once, and missed a field goal on that drive.
20-50 loss @ North Dakota – UND raced out to a 36-6 lead at the half and handled the Viks pretty easily. The Fighting Hawks ran for 275 and passed for 171. UND had 22 points on the board in the 1st quarter alone (sound familiar?). Portland found some late footing but by then the game was well in hand. PSU would have just 228 total yards and lost 2 more interceptions in the game.
3-23 loss @ Hawai’i – I see the box score says there were 29 mph winds during the game, it was a slow moving game, 0-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. PSU in the first half lost a pick and had two turnovers on downs. UH would pass for 250 and rush for just 107. Portland had 41 on the ground and 189 I the air.
31-17 loss vs NAU – PSU had a 7-0 lead, and NAU tied it up and took the lead back but from there was never able to really put PSU away, it was 24-17 NAU until the mid-way point of the 4th quarter where NAU would score again and put the game on ice. NAU out-gained PSU 525 to 318 in total yards. Big ball control game, not a lot of possessions overall – 9 possessions each, NAU made the most of theirs, PSU… not so much.
27-35 loss vs Eastern Washington – EWU would go up 21-7 but see PSU chip away to get it to within 1 point, 21-20. EWU then scored the next 14, including a big 50 yard TD run, to put PSU down 15. Portland would find the endzone again but their final two possessions were a 3 and out, and then a lost interception to end the game. EWU had a big rushing day, 333 on the ground, while PSU passed for 339.
27-43 loss vs Weber State – Weber was up just 12-6 at the half but then really got rolling in the 2nd half, going up 29-6 and responding to a score to go up 36-6 and then 43-6 a few minutes later. Weber had a day on the ground, 222 rushing – while PSU had 313 passing… but 4 interceptions, with another pick 6 TD lost.
6-46 loss @ Idaho – Idaho just rolled PSU, they’d pass for 301, and rush for 163 while PSU had just 317 total yards in the game. 2 more lost picks for PSU as well. I think this was the game where Josh Wood for UI returned, he had 4 passing TDs in the game.
40-35 win vs Cal Poly – PSU would go up 21-7 and 31-14 midway through the game. Poly would make a desperate attempt to come back, scoring to get within 5 with 55 seconds to go – but an onsides attempt would fail, it appeared to be deeper kick that PSU catches and steps out of bounds on, gets a personal foul after the play and is marched back to their own 8. But with no timeouts left PSU would kneel it out and secure their only win of the season, so far. Lots of offense here, PSU had 242 rushing and CPSLO had 243 / PSU had 260 passing while Poly had 207. Both teams would lose 2 interceptions – one each on back to back plays where each team did a toss-back WR pass that was picked.
24-52 loss vs Sacramento State – It was close at the half, just 21-14 Sac, but PSU was unable to keep up and the Sac ground game would amount to too much. Sac’s numbers on offense were wild, 295 rushing on 47 attempts and 188 passing yards on 8-11 passing – so 23.5 yards per completion. PSU had 319 yards of total offense and yet again, 2 more interceptions.
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General Stats
Passing yards per game GRIZ (293 for GRIZ vs 203 for PSU)
Rushing yards per game GRIZ (176 for GRIZ vs 106 for PSU)
Total offense GRIZ (469 for GRIZ vs 309 for PSU)
Passing yards allowed per game PSU (268 for GRIZ vs 195 for PSU)
Rushing yards allowed per game GRIZ (132 or GRIZ vs 266 for PSU)
Total defense GRIZ (400 for GRIZ vs 461 for PSU)
Offense points scored GRIZ (39.9 for GRIZ vs 16.4 for PSU)
Defense points allowed GRIZ (23.4 for GRIZ vs 42.5 for PSU)
Turnover margin GRIZ (+8 for GRIZ / -11 for PSU)
Field goal % PSU (66.6% for GRIZ vs 73% for PSU)
Punt Returns GRIZ (13 yards for GRIZ vs 7.3 yards for PSU)
Kick Returns GRIZ (25 yards for GRIZ vs 18.4 yards for PSU)
T.O.P. PSU (29:28 for GRIZ vs 29:51 for PSU)
Red Zone defense (touchdowns) GRIZ (58% GRIZ / 78% PSU)
Red Zone offense (touchdowns) GRIZ (78% GRIZ / 48% PSU)
3rd down offense GRIZ – (43.6% for GRIZ / 32.6% for PSU)
3rd down defense GRIZ – (39.1% allowed for GRIZ vs 47.5% allowed for PSU)
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Montana gets 13 – PSU’s 3 are TOP, pass defense, and field goal %.
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Portland State Players to Watch:
#24 Deon Thompson, RB – a 5-9, 200 lb back, he’s a guy they’ll feed a lot on Saturday. He’s the leading rusher with 561 on the ground and 7 rushing TDs. He’s got 161 receiving yards and another score there.
#9 John-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB – I *think* John-Keawe will be the starter, PSU has been using two transfer QBs so we’ll see both I assume. He’s a 6-1, 205 pound sophomore transfer from Hawai’i, on the season he’s averaging about 155 passing per game, he’s got 4 TDs passing and 12 interceptions, just 32 net rushing yards as well.
#14 Tyrese Smith, QB- Yes I’m listing 2 QBs to watch, a 6-2, 225 pound transfer from Liberty, who has been splitting some reps, he’s more of a running QB. He’s 2nd best on the team in rushing yards with 248 and 4 rushing TDs. On the season he’s passed for 443 yards an 2 TDs with 2 INTs.
#85 Kristian Ingman, TE – Ingman is a versatile TE and might be my choice for Bobby Hauck transfer player of the week. He’s got 309 receiving on the season and averages almost 16.25 yards per catch.
#4 Isaiah Green, DB – He’s a guy that’s around the ball a lot, leading the team by a large margin in tackles with 88. He’s got 3.5 TFLs as well and 1 forced fumble.
#56 Elliot Spencer, DE – A 6-3, 245 pound edge that seems to be a stand-up rusher a lot. He leads the team in sacks with 5.5, he’s got 8 TFLs and 2 forced fumbles. He’s maybe their best disruptor on defense.
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Keys to a Grizzly victory
I have no clue what to expect from this team anymore, they should crush PSU because they are better in every single facet; roster, coaches, facilities, expectations, execution. There really isn’t a single spot where PSU matches up well against Montana and all the numbers say that the Griz should have their way with a Vikings team that’s probably just hoping for a merciful end to the season. In their 3 conference games PSU is averaging just under 23 points per game.
Will it be more of the same or will Montana actually find consistency? I just don't know what to expect so I’ll say Griz win this one, 31-23.
Go Griz!
It’s been a real bad year for PSU, they were staring down the barrel of a winless season until a rather improbable win against Cal Poly. PSU’s media roster stated that 7 starters returned to the team on offense from last year, and just 3 on defense. Obviously we’re well aware of one of their prior LB starters – Peyton Wing – who is now a Griz.
As I’ve posted in prior weeks, here’s how PSU stacks up across the conference:
- Last in scoring offense and last in scoring defense
- Last in total offense and last in total defense
- Last in rushing offense and last in rushing defense
- 10th in passing offense and 2nd best in passing defense
Portland State Vikings 1-9
0-42 loss vs Tarleton State - Tarleton had 301 rushing yards to go with 150 passing all while holding PSU to just 277 total yards. PSU also tossed 3 picks including a pick-6 TD in the game.
0-69 loss @ BYU – It was 49-0 at the half. PSU had a TOTAL of 51 yards in the game (56 passing, -5 rushing). While BYU had 468 rushing alone. PSU crossed midfield once, and missed a field goal on that drive.
20-50 loss @ North Dakota – UND raced out to a 36-6 lead at the half and handled the Viks pretty easily. The Fighting Hawks ran for 275 and passed for 171. UND had 22 points on the board in the 1st quarter alone (sound familiar?). Portland found some late footing but by then the game was well in hand. PSU would have just 228 total yards and lost 2 more interceptions in the game.
3-23 loss @ Hawai’i – I see the box score says there were 29 mph winds during the game, it was a slow moving game, 0-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. PSU in the first half lost a pick and had two turnovers on downs. UH would pass for 250 and rush for just 107. Portland had 41 on the ground and 189 I the air.
31-17 loss vs NAU – PSU had a 7-0 lead, and NAU tied it up and took the lead back but from there was never able to really put PSU away, it was 24-17 NAU until the mid-way point of the 4th quarter where NAU would score again and put the game on ice. NAU out-gained PSU 525 to 318 in total yards. Big ball control game, not a lot of possessions overall – 9 possessions each, NAU made the most of theirs, PSU… not so much.
27-35 loss vs Eastern Washington – EWU would go up 21-7 but see PSU chip away to get it to within 1 point, 21-20. EWU then scored the next 14, including a big 50 yard TD run, to put PSU down 15. Portland would find the endzone again but their final two possessions were a 3 and out, and then a lost interception to end the game. EWU had a big rushing day, 333 on the ground, while PSU passed for 339.
27-43 loss vs Weber State – Weber was up just 12-6 at the half but then really got rolling in the 2nd half, going up 29-6 and responding to a score to go up 36-6 and then 43-6 a few minutes later. Weber had a day on the ground, 222 rushing – while PSU had 313 passing… but 4 interceptions, with another pick 6 TD lost.
6-46 loss @ Idaho – Idaho just rolled PSU, they’d pass for 301, and rush for 163 while PSU had just 317 total yards in the game. 2 more lost picks for PSU as well. I think this was the game where Josh Wood for UI returned, he had 4 passing TDs in the game.
40-35 win vs Cal Poly – PSU would go up 21-7 and 31-14 midway through the game. Poly would make a desperate attempt to come back, scoring to get within 5 with 55 seconds to go – but an onsides attempt would fail, it appeared to be deeper kick that PSU catches and steps out of bounds on, gets a personal foul after the play and is marched back to their own 8. But with no timeouts left PSU would kneel it out and secure their only win of the season, so far. Lots of offense here, PSU had 242 rushing and CPSLO had 243 / PSU had 260 passing while Poly had 207. Both teams would lose 2 interceptions – one each on back to back plays where each team did a toss-back WR pass that was picked.
24-52 loss vs Sacramento State – It was close at the half, just 21-14 Sac, but PSU was unable to keep up and the Sac ground game would amount to too much. Sac’s numbers on offense were wild, 295 rushing on 47 attempts and 188 passing yards on 8-11 passing – so 23.5 yards per completion. PSU had 319 yards of total offense and yet again, 2 more interceptions.
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General Stats
Passing yards per game GRIZ (293 for GRIZ vs 203 for PSU)
Rushing yards per game GRIZ (176 for GRIZ vs 106 for PSU)
Total offense GRIZ (469 for GRIZ vs 309 for PSU)
Passing yards allowed per game PSU (268 for GRIZ vs 195 for PSU)
Rushing yards allowed per game GRIZ (132 or GRIZ vs 266 for PSU)
Total defense GRIZ (400 for GRIZ vs 461 for PSU)
Offense points scored GRIZ (39.9 for GRIZ vs 16.4 for PSU)
Defense points allowed GRIZ (23.4 for GRIZ vs 42.5 for PSU)
Turnover margin GRIZ (+8 for GRIZ / -11 for PSU)
Field goal % PSU (66.6% for GRIZ vs 73% for PSU)
Punt Returns GRIZ (13 yards for GRIZ vs 7.3 yards for PSU)
Kick Returns GRIZ (25 yards for GRIZ vs 18.4 yards for PSU)
T.O.P. PSU (29:28 for GRIZ vs 29:51 for PSU)
Red Zone defense (touchdowns) GRIZ (58% GRIZ / 78% PSU)
Red Zone offense (touchdowns) GRIZ (78% GRIZ / 48% PSU)
3rd down offense GRIZ – (43.6% for GRIZ / 32.6% for PSU)
3rd down defense GRIZ – (39.1% allowed for GRIZ vs 47.5% allowed for PSU)
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Montana gets 13 – PSU’s 3 are TOP, pass defense, and field goal %.
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Portland State Players to Watch:
#24 Deon Thompson, RB – a 5-9, 200 lb back, he’s a guy they’ll feed a lot on Saturday. He’s the leading rusher with 561 on the ground and 7 rushing TDs. He’s got 161 receiving yards and another score there.
#9 John-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB – I *think* John-Keawe will be the starter, PSU has been using two transfer QBs so we’ll see both I assume. He’s a 6-1, 205 pound sophomore transfer from Hawai’i, on the season he’s averaging about 155 passing per game, he’s got 4 TDs passing and 12 interceptions, just 32 net rushing yards as well.
#14 Tyrese Smith, QB- Yes I’m listing 2 QBs to watch, a 6-2, 225 pound transfer from Liberty, who has been splitting some reps, he’s more of a running QB. He’s 2nd best on the team in rushing yards with 248 and 4 rushing TDs. On the season he’s passed for 443 yards an 2 TDs with 2 INTs.
#85 Kristian Ingman, TE – Ingman is a versatile TE and might be my choice for Bobby Hauck transfer player of the week. He’s got 309 receiving on the season and averages almost 16.25 yards per catch.
#4 Isaiah Green, DB – He’s a guy that’s around the ball a lot, leading the team by a large margin in tackles with 88. He’s got 3.5 TFLs as well and 1 forced fumble.
#56 Elliot Spencer, DE – A 6-3, 245 pound edge that seems to be a stand-up rusher a lot. He leads the team in sacks with 5.5, he’s got 8 TFLs and 2 forced fumbles. He’s maybe their best disruptor on defense.
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Keys to a Grizzly victory
- Run. The. Damn. Ball. PSU is the worst rushing defense in the Big Sky and has been decimated on the ground by just about everyone. I don’t care if Montana has to add some gimmick type of stuff to make it work – just run it, and run it A LOT.
- Capitalize on turnovers – PSU is very prone to interceptions and Montana, despite having a league worst passing defense by yards, is 3rd best in pass defense efficiency – largely thanks to being tops in picks. The Grizzly pass defense will be tested again, presumably, let’s grab some interceptions and make them pay for it.
- Killer mentality – It would be so nice for the Grizzlies to step on a lesser team’s throat if they have the chance to do so. If the Griz do what they’ve done of late and get an early lead, lets keep our foot on the gas and put the game away.
- 150+ rushing for Eli – The post season is nearing and I want more consistency from the OL and running game and a little more work for our feature running back.
- Avoid the trap – The game is in the downtown stadium, PSU would love to beat Montana to enjoy an otherwise crappy season, and of course Robby’s on the other side. There’s going to be some odd stuff this game, I just bet. Don’t fall into these emotional traps and just play your game.
- RUN THE BALL – I feel like I said that already.
I have no clue what to expect from this team anymore, they should crush PSU because they are better in every single facet; roster, coaches, facilities, expectations, execution. There really isn’t a single spot where PSU matches up well against Montana and all the numbers say that the Griz should have their way with a Vikings team that’s probably just hoping for a merciful end to the season. In their 3 conference games PSU is averaging just under 23 points per game.
Will it be more of the same or will Montana actually find consistency? I just don't know what to expect so I’ll say Griz win this one, 31-23.
Go Griz!
I sure hope Loud is back by the Brawl!
