Game Notes: @UNCBearsFB Heads to Pacific Northwest

Saturday, October 13

Portland, Ore.

3 pm MT

University of Northern Colorado

Portland State

Photo by: Woody Myers

10/10/2018 2:58:00 PM | Football

Northern Colorado football takes on Portland State in Portland on Saturday

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

PORTLAND – Northern Colorado football heads to the Pacific Northwest this weekend seeking their first win of the season taking on Portland State Saturday afternoon at 3 pm MT/2 pm PT.

Setting the Stage
- Northern Colorado never gave in against UC Davis on homecoming, scoring 26 straight points at the end of the game with the comeback effort falling short in a 49-36 final. As a part of the comeback, the Bears converted three two-point conversions during the fourth quarter.

- Portland State is coming off an exciting 22-20 last-second win at Montana last Saturday in which the Vikings won the game with a 52-yard field goal from freshman Cody Williams. The PSU win was their first win in Missoula since 1988 and snapped a 12-game Big Sky losing streak.

- It's been a couple years since the Vikings and Bears last met, last coming in October of 2016. UNC won a memorable one defeating PSU in overtime 56-49. The game saw the most points scored by each team in the series and extended a streak of the past seven games between the two programs decided by six points or less.

Scouting Portland State
Portland State is coming off an upset win of No. 14 Montana in Missoula last weekend thanks to the foot of Cody Williams. The 52-yard field goal with four seconds left on the clock gave the Vikings the 22-20 win and momentum coming into Saturday's game against UNC.

PSU is a team that is looking to run the ball and control the clock behind its stable of running backs. The Vikings have six players with over 100 rushing yards this season, led by Sirgeo Hoffmann and his 206 yards. Quarterback Davis Alexander has the most rushing touchdowns on the team with four. He and teammate Jalani Eason have been split time as the Portland State signal caller with Alexander taking the majority of the snaps. Eason and Alexander have spread the ball around to a multitude or pass catchers this season, with four players recording at least 10 catches this season and the most having 15.

Defensively, the Vikings have struggled to stop opponents run game, giving up 202.8 yards per game. A pair of games against FBS opponents Nevada and Oregon to open the year has skewed their points allowed a game number after the two teams scored a combined 134 points against them. Since the opening two contests of the season, PSU is allowing 24.25 points a game. Kasun Jackett is the team's leading tackler with 44 on the season including three for a loss and a sack.

History Against the Portland State
Northern Colorado and Portland State have met both during their Division II and FCS days dating back to 1979 when PSU came to Greeley for homecoming. The Bears won the first game between the programs 21-20. In 1991 UNC and PSU met in the Division II playoffs with Portland State winning at home 28-24. Since both teams have been in the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings hold a 5-4 advantage with UNC winning the past three matchups. Portland State leads the all-time records at 7-5.

Around the Big Sky
Three teams remain undefeated in the Big Sky going into Saturday's action with Eastern Washington and Idaho State at 3-0 and UC Davis a half game back at 2-0. Four teams are just one game behind in the loss column. This weekend features a Top 25 matchup in Ogden between No. 3 Eastern Washington and No. 13 Weber State.

Coaches Show
The Earnest Collins Jr. Coaches Show is back again this season but at a new location. The 2018 coaches show will be at the Dugout B-B-Q off of 11th Ave each Tuesday during the year from 6-7 pm. The Voice of the Bears Troy Coverdale will sit down and talk with head coach Earnest Collins Jr and guests to recap the previous week and look ahead to the next. The coaches show will also be broadcast on the home for the Bears 1310 KFKA.

Home Away from Home
Stuft, Burger Bar is UNC football's home away from home. Unable to make the trip with the Bears, join other UNC fans and cheer on the team on the official watch party of all road games.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado returns home next weekend in the battle of the Northerns as Northern Arizona comes to town. UNC and NAU have split their past five meetings holding serve on their home fields. Kickoff between the Bears and Lumberjacks is set for noon.

To stay up to date about UNC football, visit UNCBears.com and follow them on Twitter at @UNCBearsFB.