Vikings, McDonagh Continue to Impress
Portland State’s offense continued to impress on Saturday, rolling up 622 yards in a 43-6 win over Humboldt State.
The Vikings now rank second in the nation averaging 615.7 yards of total offense per game.
The Vikings are fourth in rushing offense (295.0) and eighth in passing offense (320.7). The 43.3 points per game ranks seventh in the nation. PSU’s 20.0 yards per reception leads the nation. PSU leads the Big Sky Conference in scoring, total offense, rushing offense and first downs (81).
“HE IS REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY GOOD”
That is what Head Coach Nigel Burton said about his sophomore quarterback Kieran McDonagh after the 43-6 win over Humboldt State. McDonagh posted a career-high for passing yards (377) and total offense (441) in the game, completing 21 of 31 passes and throwing for two touchdowns. That performance came after begin named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week last Monday, setting a personal record for passing yards (308) and totaling 368 yards in a 37-30 loss at California.
McDonagh leads the nation in yards per completion (20.9), ranks fifth in total offense (328.7) and pass efficiency (181.9). He is 12th in passing yards (285.0) per game.
McDonagh, from Vancouver, WA’s Skyview High School, is among the nation’s top quarterbacks early in the season. He has passed for five touchdowns and run for a sixth. McDonagh has 855 passing yards and 131 rushing yards.
SACK MASTERS
While the offense was impressive, the defense did its part as well. The six points allowed were the fewest given up since a 52-0 win over Southern Oregon in the 2011 opener (a span of 24 games).
Portland State made eight sacks against Humboldt State, easily the most in recent memory (the school record is 11 vs. Idaho, 1987). SR DE Bryant Long was credited with 2.5 sacks to lead the team. In all, the Vikings had 18 tackles for loss in the game, with SR LB Jaycob Shoemaker garnering three tackles for loss, one of which was a safety on HSU quarterback Kyle Morris.
Portland State leads the Big Sky Conference with 14 sacks this season.
KASEY’S CONTRIBUTION
JR WR Kasey Closs had 10 receptions for 205 yards and a touchdown against Humboldt State. It was the first time a Viking has had a 200-yard receiving game since Tremayne Kirkland had 225 yards against Northern Arizona on Oct. 6, 2008…
Closs leads the team in receiving with 16 catches for 382 yards and three scores in 2013. He averages 23.9 yards per catch. Closs is fifth in the nation in receiving (127.3 per game).
Portland State (2-1) travels to UC Davis (0-3) next Saturday for a 6 p.m. game.
Written by James Lund | Courtesy of GoViks.com
