The 2008 season didn't go exactly as planned, but the Portland State Vikings did show an improvement of one game over 2007, finishing 4-7 overall, 3-5 in the Big Sky Conference.

It was a major transition year as Portland State began the season with just 10 returning starters (four on offense, five on defense, one kicker/punter) and only 23 returning letterwinners competing during the season. There were a number of returning redshirts, but 50 of the players on 92-man roster were new to the program in 2008. As a result, the Vikings played 19 freshman, including 11 true freshmen.

With a host of new players at most positions, the Vikings proved to be inconsistent on both sides of the ball. On the flip side, the Vikings lose only 12 seniors from their 2008 roster.

There were many highlights to the 2008 season. Here are a few:

? Portland State was 4-7 on the season, making a one-game improvement over the 3-8 record in 2007. The Vikings were 4-1 at home, including a win over then-11th-ranked Eastern Washington, 47-36. PSU had been just 1-4 at home in 2007.
? Three Vikings earned All-Big Sky Conference honors as SR LB Andy Schantz, FR CB Deshawn Shead and JR WR/KR Aaron Woods were named to the second team in voting by league coaches.
? Four times Vikings earned Big Sky Conference Player of the Week honors, including two by SO QB Drew Hubel. Other Vikings to win the honor were JR FB Bobby McClintock and SR K/P Danny Urrego.
? For the second year in a row, Portland State's Run-and-Shoot offense led the nation in passing at 372.2 yards per game. PSU threw for 360.9 in 2007.
? JR WR Aaron Woods set new Portland State records for kickoff returns (35) and kickoff return yards (908) in a season. Woods also became the just the 14th Viking in history with 1,000 receiving yards, catching 66 passes for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. Woods led the Big Sky Conference in kickoff return average (25.9) and all-purpose yards (178.9), ranking sixth in the nation.
? SR K/P Danny Urrego set new school records for field goals made (15) and attempted (23) in a season, and field goal percentage for a career (.719, 23/32).
? FR CB Deshawn Shead led the Big Sky Conference in interceptions (6), making the most picks by a Viking in 11 seasons. He ranked fifth in the nation in interceptions.
? SO QB Drew Hubel set a new Portland State record for passing yards in a game (623) in the win over Eastern Washington. It was one yard short of the national record. Hubel completed 44 passes in 73 attempts for 623 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also tied the PSU record for completions, tied the Big Sky record for attempts, and set a national record for most attempts without an interception.
? JR WR Mario D'Ambrosio tied the Portland State record for receptions in one game with 16 against Eastern Washington. His 76 catches (900 yards, 9 TDs) ranks fourth in Portland State history.

THREE VIKINGS EARN SECOND TEAM ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE
Portland State linebacker Andy Schantz, cornerback Deshawn Shead and receiver/kick returner Aaron Woods were named second team All-Big Sky Conference in voting by league coaches.

Schantz, who was named the team Most Valuable Player, led the Vikings in tackles this season with 115. The Viking senior also had team-highs of 15 tackles for loss and nine pass breakups while making one interception, one fumble recovery and forcing one fumble. Schantz ranked second in the league in total tackles and 15th in the nation. He is on the Buck Buchanan Watch List for the top defensive player in the nation at the NCAA I FCS level.

Shead, a redshirt freshman, had a big season for the Vikings. He led the Big Sky with six interceptions and ranked fifth in the nation. His interception total was the most by a Viking since 1997. Shead also had 51 tackles, seven pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

Woods, a junior from Sunset (OR) High School, led the Big Sky Conference and ranked sixth in the nation in all-purpose yards with 178.9 per game. He also led the league with a 25.9 kick return average. Woods set new Portland State records with 35 kick returns and 908 kick return yards. The highlight was a 93-yard kick return for a touchdown at Montana State. As a receiver, Woods had 66 receptions for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. He became the 14th Viking in history to reach 1,000 receiving yards, and was named honorable mention All-Conference as a receiver.

Other Vikings earning honorable mention: wide receiver Mario D'Ambrosio (76 receptions, 900 yards, 9 touchdowns); offensive guard Moses Punzal; fullback Bobby McClintock (93 carries, 457 yards, 6 TDs, 34 receptions, 287 yards); outside linebacker K.J. McCrae (75 tackles, 12 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries); outside linebacker Ryan Pedersen (64 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles); inside linebacker Erik Pedersen, Portland State (84 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, fumble recovery).

Schantz, McCrae and Ryan Pedersen were all honorable mention All-Big Sky in 2007. McClintock was first team All-Big Sky in 2006.

SCHANTZ NAMED TEAM MVP IN POST-SEASON AWARDS CEREMONY
Senior linebacker Andy Schantz was named the Portland State football team's 2008 Most Valuable Player in a team awards ceremony. Schantz, a Buck Buchanan Award nominee for National Defensive Player of the Year, was chosen as MVP in balloting by the players. He led the Vikings this year with 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine pass breakups.

Schantz was also named Most Valuable Linebacker and given the Defensive Captain Award. Sophomore quarterback Drew Hubel was given the Offensive Captain Award. Hubel, from Corvallis High School, was also given the Mike Schrunk Award as the team's top Scholar-Athlete.

Junior fullback Bobby McClintock was named Most Valuable Offensive Back. McClintock had a solid season with 93 carries for 457 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 287 yards.

Junior slotbacks Aaron Woods and Mario D'Ambrosio were named co-Most Valuable Wide Receivers. Woods led the Big Sky Conference in all-purpose yards and kickoff return yards this season, while ranking third in receiving yards and fourth in receptions. He caught 66 passes for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. He set new records for kickoff returns (35) and kickoff return yardage (908) at Portland State. D'Ambrosio made 76 catches for 900 yards and nine touchdowns. His reception total ranks fourth all-time in a season at PSU.

The Most Valuable Offensive Lineman was junior Moses Punzal. A native of Kapa'a, Hawai'i, Punzal has started 21 consecutive games at left guard for the Vikings.

On the defensive side of the ball, redshirt freshman Deshawn Shead was named Most Valuable Defensive Back, while junior Joe Ma'aseia and sophomore Travis Beckley, both defensive ends, were named co-Most Valuable Linemen.

Shead led the Vikings with six interceptions on the season. That total also led the Big Sky Conference. Shead added 51 tackles, seven pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Beckley, from Eugene's Thurston High School, had 19 tackles and three sacks on the season. Ma'aseia had 26 tackles, six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

Earning the honor of Most Improved Player was senior left tackle Landan Laurusaitis. After playing in three games as a backup in 2007, Laurusaitis started the first nine games of the 2008 season. A knee injury against Montana knocked him out for the remainder of the year.

The Special Teams Player of the Year was true freshman Josh Nakamoto. A fullback, Nakamoto was a significant player on kickoff and punt return and coverage teams.

Earning Most Inspirational honors was junior Tracy Ford. After starting the season at slotback, Ford also spent time at cornerback and running back, while being a starting kick returner with Aaron Woods.

The Outstanding Freshman on Offense this season was offensive tackle Dustin Waldron. A true freshman from Pleasant Hill, OR, Waldron was the top backup on the offensive line, before taking over as starting left tackle during the final two games of the season.

The Outstanding Freshman on Defense was free safety Cody Worthen. Also a true freshman, Worthen served in a backup role and on special teams early in the season, but became the starter at free safety during the final three games. He totaled 37 tackles, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Scout Team Award winners were freshman fullback Matt Orthmann on offense and freshman outside linebacker Dallas Kelley on defense.

2008 PORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: SR ILB Andy Schantz
Most Valuable Offensive Back: JR FB Bobby McClintock
Co-Most Valuable Wide Receivers: JR WR Aaron Woods and JR WR Mario D'Ambrosio
Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: JR LG Moses Punzal
Most Valuable Defensive Back: FR CB Deshawn Shead
Co-Most Valuable Defensive Linemen: SO DE Travis Beckley and JR DE Joe Ma'aseia
Most Valuable Linebacker: SR ILB Andy Schantz
Most Improved Player: SR LT Landan Laurusaitis
Most Inspirational Player: JR RB Tracy Ford
Special Teams Player of the Year: FR FB Josh Nakamoto
Outstanding Freshman ? Offense: OT Dustin Waldron
Outstanding Freshman ? Defense: FS Cody Worthen
Scout Team Award ? Offense: FR FB Matt Orthmann
Scout Team Award ? Defense: FR LB Dallas Kelley
Offensive Captain Award: SO QB Drew Hubel
Defensive Captain Award: SR ILB Andy Schantz
Mike Schrunk Scholar-Athlete Award: SO QB Drew Hubel

WHO'S WHO FOR THE VIKINGS IN 2009?
At the conclusion of the 2008 season, Portland State is scheduled to have 16 starters and 50 letterwinners return for 2009. The Vikings will have eight returners on offense, seven on defense and one on special teams. Seven other players return who have had starts at PSU. Included in the following list is player positions and 2009 year of eligibility.

RETURNING STARTERS (16)
OFFENSE (8): JR QB Drew Hubel; SR FB Bobby McClintock; SR WR Aaron Woods; SR WR Mario D'Ambrosio; SR WR Lavonte Kirven/Daniel Wolverton (split starts); SR LG Moses Punzal; SR C Tyler Staley; SR RT Matt Leunen
DEFENSE (7): JR DE Travis Beckley; SR NT Jermaine Jacobs; SR DE Joe Ma'aseia; SO OLB Ryan Pedersen; SR ILB Erik Pedersen; SO DB Deshawn Shead; SO FS Cody Worthen/SR FS Chris Assily (split starts)
SPECIAL TEAMS (1): SO LS Braedyn Eagle

Other returning offensive letterwinners in 2009 (15, starts listed in parenthesis): SR QB Tygue Howland (3), SO WR Ricky Cookman (1), SO LT Dustin Waldron (2), JR WR Ray Fry, SR RB Tracy Ford, SO QB Connor Kavanaugh, SR QB Jimmy Collins, SR WR Mike Corral, SR RB Mikhail Powell, SO FB Josh Nakamoto, SO FB Nick Kalpin, SO OL Adam Kleffner, SO OL Jasper Croome, SO WR Cory McCaffrey, SO WR/PR Keith Franklin
Other returning defensive letterwinners in 2009 (16, starts listed in parenthesis): SO SS Michael Wightman (5), SR DB Jordan Brown (8 starts in 2007), JR ILB Rory Richards (1), SO DT Josh Manupuna (4), SR FS Andrew Fuller, SO CB Onu Onu, JR CB Matt Ford, JR LB Dallas Smith, SO LB Quinn Stewart, SO LB Jordan Beltz, SR LB David Pedersen, SO LB Eloka Anyaorah, SR LB Logan Dose, SO LB Ryan Rau, SR DE John Shackford, JR LB Jake Fetzer (injured in 2008, lettered in 2007)
Other returning special teams letterwinners in 2009 (2): SO K Robert Truax (2 starts at KO), JR K Jake Webber (2 starts at KO)

LETTERWINNERS LOST (12)
Offensive Starters (3): WR Ty Coleman, RG Clayton Rios, LT Landan Laurusaitis
Defensive Starters (4): ILB Andy Schantz, OLB KJ McCrae, CB Reggie Jones, SS Aaron Dickson
Special Teams Starter (1): K/P Danny Urrego
Other Letterwinners Lost: CB Stanley Jackson, DE Johnathan Benjamin-Nichols, DT Lloyd Talakai, WR Steve Cooper

QUICK SNAPS ON VIKING FOOTBALL
WINS AND LOSSES
? Portland State was 4-7 in 2008, a one-game improvement over the 3-8 record of 2007. The Vikings were 3-5 in Big Sky Conference games, matching their 2007 record.
? PSU was 4-1 at home, a big improvement over the 1-4 mark of a year ago. However, the Vikings went 0-6 on the road.The last time the Vikings failed to win a road game was 1996 (0-5). The last time they had an 0-6 road schedule was 1982 (2-9 overall). PSU's six-game road losing streak is the longest since a stretch of 12 between 1995 and 1997.
? Jerry Glanville is now 7-15 in two seasons at Portland State, 5-5 at home, 2-10 on the road. Glanville is 2-4 against nationally-ranked opponents, 0-2 against NCAA I FBS opponents. PSU is 6-10 in Big Sky games under Glanville.
? Portland State is 48-51 all-time in Big Sky Conference games, 72-72 since moving to Division I in 1996.

MADE TO BE BROKEN
Portland State set or tied nine different individual records during the course of the 2008 season. Drew Hubel set three records and now holds four passing records during his career at PSU.

NEW PORTLAND STATE RECORDS SET IN 2008
Passing Yards, Game: 623, Drew Hubel vs. Eastern Washington, 10/4/08
Total Offense, Game: 598, Drew Hubel vs. Eastern Washington, 10/4/08
Pass Completions, Game: 44, Drew Hubel vs. Eastern Washington, 10/4/08 (tied)
Receptions, Game: 16, Mario D'Ambrosio vs. Eastern Washington, 10/4/08 (tied)
Kick Returns, Season: 35, Aaron Woods
Kick Returns Yards, Season: 908, Aaron Woods
Field Goals Made, Season: 15, Danny Urrego
Field Goals Attempted, Season: 23, Danny Urrego
Field Goal Percentage, Career: .719 (23-32), Danny Urrego

START TO FINISH
Fourteen Vikings started all 11 games in the 2008 season. They were: FB Bobby McClintock, WR Aaron Woods, WR Mario D'Ambrosio, OL Matt Leunen, OL Tyler Staley, OL Clayton Rios, OL Moses Punzal, CB Deshawn Shead, DE Travis Beckley, DE Joe Ma'aseia, LB Andy Schantz, LB KJ McCrae, LB Ryan Pedersen, K/P Danny Urrego... in contrast, just nine players started all 11 games in 2007.

THIRD DOWN DOWNERS
Third downs told the tale of the Viking season in 2008. In four wins, Portland State converted 50% of its third-down opportunities. In seven losses, the Vikings converted just 22% of their third downs. PSU ranked eighth in the league in third down conversions at 33%.

TURNOVER TABLE
The Vikings forced 29 turnovers on the season - the most of any team in the league. They scored 82 points (10 TDs, 4 FGs) off opponent turnovers... unfortunately, PSU commited 31 turnovers - second most in the league. Opponents scored 99 points (13 TDs, 3 FGs) off PSU turnovers, including returning four interceptions for touchdowns.

RUN-AND-SHOOT NOTES
THE NATION'S BEST ONCE AGAIN
Portland State finished the season averaging 372.2 passing yards per game - up 12 yards from 2007. That mark led the nation for the second year in a row... the Vikings got pass completions from four different quarterbacks, but QBs Drew Hubel and Tygue Howland threw for the bulk of the yards with 4,023 yards combined. They also had 23 touchdowns and 20 interceptions between them... for the season, Hubel had eight starts and was 226 for 393 passing (.575) for 2,912 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Howland had three starts and was 74-150 (.493) for 1,111 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions... other QBs were Jimmy Collins (6-15-0-63-1) and Connor Kavanaugh (1-1-0-8-0)... with 4,094 total yards passing, the Vikings had the fourth-highest total in school history. The other five times that PSU reach 4,000+ yards occured during Mouse Davis' reign as head coach from 1975-1980 with quarterbacks June Jones and Neil Lomax. During those six seasons, and the two since his return as offensive coordinator in 2007, Davis' Run-and-Shoot offense has produced at least 3,970 yards each season.

PSU's TOP PASSING SEASONS
1980    4,784 yards    44 TDs    Mouse Davis head coach
1976    4,445 yards     31 TDs    Mouse Davis head coach
1977    4,163 yards    35 TDs    Mouse Davis head coach
2008    4,094 yards    24 TDs    Mouse Davis offensive coordinator
1979    4,058 yards    27 TDs    Mouse Davis head coach
1978    4,038 yards    29 TDs    Mouse Davis head coach
1975    3,979 yards    27 TDs    Mouse Davis head coach
2007    3,970 yards    28 TDs    Mouse Davis offensive coordinator

HUBEL'S HEROICS
With seven 300-yard passing games, SO QB Drew Hubel ranks tied for fifth on PSU's career list of 300-yard passing games. Neil Lomax holds the PSU career record with 28... with four 400-yard passing games, Hubel ranks second all-time at PSU (Lomax, 10)... in 16 career games (the first two of which were brief mop-up efforts), Hubel has 33 touchdown passes (9th all-time) and 4,382 passing yards (10th all-time)... Hubel now holds school records for passing yards in a game (623), touchdowns in a game (9), and completions in a game (44, tying Neil Lomax)... he has two of the top six passing games - and three of the top nine - in school history... by reaching 2,000 yards passing in 2008, Hubel marked the 27th time in 62 years of Portland State football a quarterback has reached 2,000 yards. His season total ranks 12th all-time at PSU... Hubel was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week twice in 2008 and has now won the honor three times in his career.

HUBEL'S HOUSE
SO QB Drew Hubel has had some big games at PGE Park in his two-year career, and when you break down the stats, you find they are dramatically better at home than on the road. In seven career games at PGE Park (five starts), Hubel has completed 196-326 passes (.601) for 2,624 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He averages 375 yards per game. In nine career games on the road (seven starts), Hubel is 153-284 passing (.538), for 1,758 yards with 10 touchdowns and 15 interceptions... at home, Hubel has passing games of 623, 484, 474, 343 and 305 yards, as well as games of nine touchdowns and five touchdowns. He has won Big Sky Player of the Week honors three times in five starts at PGE Park.

LITTLE BIG MAN
JR WR Aaron Woods is the smallest player on the team at 5-feet, 6-inches tall, but was one of the Vikings' largest players on offense with 66 receptions for a team-high 1,028 yards and six touchdowns. He became the 14th player to have a 1,000-yard receiving season in Portland State history... Woods also set new PSU records for kickoff returns in a season with 35, and yards, with 908... his 178.9 all-purpose yards per game and 25.9 kick return average both led the Big Sky. Woods ranked sixth in the nation in all-purpose yards... with a total of 1,968 all-purpose yards, Woods had the fifth highest total in school history... Woods had five 100-yard receiving games on the season. He ranked fourth in catches and third in receiving yards in the Big Sky Conference... Woods was named second team All-Big Sky Conference as a kick returner and honorable mention as a receiver.

SUPER MARIO
JR WR Mario D'Ambrosio put up video-game like numbers in 2008, leading the Vikings with 76 receptions for 900 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. D'Ambrosio ranked second in the conference in receptions, and seventh in the nation. He ranked sixth in the conference in receiving yards... D'Ambrosio's 76 catches ranks as fourth most in a season at PSU. He had 16 pass receptions for 192 yards and three touchdowns - all career-high numbers - in 47-36 win over Eastern Washington (10/4). The 16 catches tied a Portland State single game record... D'Ambrosio was named honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference.

BIG MACK ATTACK
JR FB Bobby McClintock provided exactly what is required of a fullback in the Run-and-Shoot offense in 2008. McClintock had a team-leading 457 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He also had 34 receptions for 287 yards... with 127 plays from scrimmage, McClintock totaled 744 yards, for an average of 5.9 yards per play. His value extended far beyond numbers though, as McClintock was integral in blocking for the quarterback in a passing offense that attempted 51 passes per game... McClintock earned Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in a season-opening win over Western Oregon. He also earned All-Big Sky Conference honorable mention.

3-4 NOTES
SCHANTZ ON THE BUCK BUCHANAN LIST
SR ILB Andy Schantz, a Buck Buchanan Award candidate and preseason second-team All-American, led the Vikings with 115 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and nine pass breakups, as well as an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. In his last five games, Schantz had 65 tackles. Schantz ranked second in the Big Sky Conference and 15th in the nation in tackles... Schantz' 115 tackles is the ninth-most for a season in school history... he was named second team All-Big Sky Conference and team MVP at the conclusion of the season... Schantz had 10 double-digit tackle games in 20 starts at Portland State... Schantz came off a 2007 season in which he had 85 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, five pass breakups and one fumble return for a touchdown. He earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference in 2007. Schantz accomplished all of that in just nine games as he tore the medial collateral ligament  in his left knee against San Diego State on Sept. 22. Amazingly, the native of Santa Clarita, CA missed just two games and - without having surgery - returned to play his best football of the season over the final five weeks... the on-field signal caller and team leader for the Vikings, Schantz has also become a local television star, as he was featured in the Camp Glanville reality television series on Comcast Sports Net.

A GAME OF TAKEAWAY
FR CB Deshawn Shead had six interceptions in 2008 to lead the Big Sky Conference and tie for fifth in the nation. It was the most interceptions by a Viking since 1997 when another redshirt freshman, Rashad Floyd, had six interceptions... his total ties for ninth all-time in a season at Portland State... Shead, who played virtually every down in his first season also had 51 tackles, seven pass breakups, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and two tackles for loss... Shead (seven takeaways) and his running mate SR CB Reggie Jones has (six takeaways) combined to recover 13 turnovers.

A GOOD NAME
Arthur Dickson, father of SR SS Aaron Dickson, set the PSU record with 10 interceptions in 1975, and holds the all-time record with 29. Son Aaron also made his mark on the Viking program, being the only player to compete in all 44 games over the past four seasons. This year was Aaron's best as he had a career-high 70 tackles, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.

HI-YA-CKA! NOTES
URREGO-GO
SR K/P Danny Urrego set new Portland State records with 15 field goals and 23 field goal attempts in 2008. Urrego was second in the Big Sky Conference and tied for sixth in the nation in field goals made... Urrego was 9-11 inside 40 yards and 6-10 from 40-49 yards, kicking a career-long 49-yard field goal at Northern Arizona (10/11)... Urrego also set a PSU record for career field goal percentage (.719) by making 23 of 32 over two seasons. He ranks sixth all-time in field goals made... Urrego averaged 40.5 yards per punt in 2008... in 2007, Urrego made 8-9 field goals and set a new record at Portland State for field goal percentage (.889).

MORE SPECIAL TEAMS RECORDS
Moving the kickoff to the 30-yard line in 2008 brought a bigger emphasis to kick returning. The result was new records for PSU in the kick return game. JR WR/KR Aaron Woods set new PSU record for kick returns (35) and kick return yards (908).

SPECIAL PLAYS ON SPECIAL TEAMS
Portland State blocked two extra points on the season, one of which was returned by SR ILB Andy Schantz for a two-point defensive conversion. That was the first defensive PAT in eight seasons for PSU... the Vikings also forced one turnover on punt coverage, and were 2-3 on fake punt conversions.

OTHER SEASON NOTES
GOOD STARTS
Fourteen Vikings got their first career starts against Western Oregon in the season opener. On offense: JR WR Daniel Wolverton, JR WR Aaron Woods, SR WR Ty Coleman, JR OL Matt Leunen, JR C Tyler Staley, SR OL Landan Laurusaitis. On defense: SO DE Travis Beckley, FR DT Josh Manupuna, JR DE Joe Ma'aseia, JR ILB Erik Pedersen, SR CB Reggie Jones, FR CB Deshawn Shead, SO SS Michael Wightman, JR FS Chris Assily... in game two, a 15th Viking made his first start, JR WR Lavonte Kirven... game three saw SO ILB Rory Richards get his first career start in place of injured JR ILB Erik Pedersen... SR FS Aaron Dickson made his first career start at Sacramento State (though he has played in every game over four years)... in game five against Eastern Washington, JR DT Jermaine Jacobs made his first career start... in game nine, FR WR Ricky Cookman and FR FS Cody Worthen made their first starts... in game 10, true freshman Dustin Waldron started at left tackle... that raised the total of first starts in 2008 to 21, including five by freshmen... in comparison, 29 Vikings made their first career starts over the course of the 2007 season.

YOUTH SHALL SERVE
With a huge recruiting class and 50 newcomers overall to the 2008 roster, Head Coach Jerry Glanville used a lot of new players. He also played an unprecedented number of true freshman. In game one, the Vikings had 12 freshmen, including seven true freshmen play. Those numbers eventually rose to 19 and 11. Redshirt freshmen who played in game one were: OL Adam Kleffner, OL Jasper Croome, DT Josh Manupuna, OLB Quinn Stewart and CB Deshawn Shead. The true freshmen were: WR Cory McCaffrey, FB Josh Nakamoto, FB Nick Kalpin, LB Eloka Anyaorah, K Robert Truax, LS Braedyn Eagle, OL Dustin Waldron... true freshmen who played in game two were LBs Jordan Beltz and Ryan Rau and FS Cody Worthen... redshirt freshman CB Onu Onu saw his first action in the third game... in the Viking win over Eastern Washington, true FR WR Keith Franklin played for the first time, returning four punts... QB Connor Kavanugh played against Weber State, leading one drive for a touchdown against Weber State... in game nine WR Ricky Cookman played in his first game.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT REEL
BIG MACK IS BACK
JR FB Bobby McClintock made a triumphant return from injury in the season-opening 31-14 win over Western Oregon (8/30). McClintock scored four touchdowns, getting a combined 116 yards on 22 touches rushing and receiving. The 5-10, 240-pounder carried it 15 times for 48 yards, and caught seven passes for 68 yards. He was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. It was his first game since tearing his ACL in the 2007 season-opener at McNeese State.

BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT
SO QB Drew Hubel, who tied a national record with nine touchdown passes and 485-yard passing day in his starting debut in 2007, was at it again the Vikings' 47-36 win over #11 Eastern Washington (10/4). Hubel completed 44 passes in 73 attempts for 623 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Hubel set a PSU record for passing yards, coming one short of the national record. He also tied the PSU record for completions, tied the Big Sky record for attempts, and set a national record for most attempts without an interception. To no one's surprise, Hubel was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Week.    

THE ITALIAN STALLION
JR WR Mario D'Ambrosio tied a Portland State record with 16 pass receptions in the win over Eastern Washington (10/4). He also had career-highs of 192 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

THE VIKINGS 4 X 100 RELAY
In order to have big passing numbers, you have to have a fleet of receivers to throw to, and the Vikings have just that. In PSU's 47-36 win over 11th-ranked Eastern Washington (10/4), the Vikings had four receivers eclipse 100 yards receiving. They were: JR WR Mario D'Ambrosio (16-192-3), JR WR Aaron Woods (8-146-1), SO WR Ray Fry (7-102-0) and JR WR Daniel Wolverton (5-109-0). There is no official documentation available, but it is believed to be the first time a PSU has had four 100-yard receivers in a game.

HUBEL'S HOUSE: PGE PARK
Drew Hubel continued his dominance at PGE Park, throwing for 474 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings' 36-13 win over Idaho State (10/25). Hubel is now 161-269 passing for for 2,109 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions in five games at PGE Park. That is 422 yards passing and nearly four touchdowns per game... Hubel came within one yard of a national record, throwing for 623 yards in a win against Eastern Washington (10/4)... last year, he threw for 485 yards and a national-record tieing nine touchdowns against Weber State.

SCHANTZ AND THE VIKINGS PUT THE HIT ON THE BENGALS
Portland State allowed the fewest points in the Jerry Glanville era when it defeated Idaho State 36-13 at PGE Park (10/25). After giving up an opening drive touchdown, the Vikings did not allow the Bengals in the end zone again. SR ILB Andy Schantz led the way with a career-high 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception and a pass breakup... SR CB Reggie Jones returned an interception for a touchdown.

KICKING IT UP A NOTCH
SR K/P Danny Urrego was named the Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in a win over Idaho State (10/25). Urrego was 3-3 on field goals and 3-3 on extra points in the game. He also had two punts for a 35.5 yard average, with one coming on a short field in which he pinned Idaho State back at the seven-yard line. Urrego, a senior, made field goals from 29, 36 and 23 yards in the game.

ALL-PURPOSE AARON
JR WR/KR Aaron Woods returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown against Montana State (11/15), making him the first Viking to return a kick for a score since Kenneth Mackins did so against Montana in 2006. That return gave Woods a new season record for kickoff return yards (now 838) and he has also established a new record for total kick returns (now 31). Woods had 74 yards receiving, 11 yards rushing and totaled 250 all-purpose yards in the game.

GETTING HIS KICKS
SR K/P Danny Urrego set three Portland State records on one kick. His 48-yarder against Northern Colorado (11/22) in the season's final game, established new PSU marks for field goals made in a season (15), field goals attempted in a season (23), and for field goal percentage in a career (23-32, .719).

HUBEL, AGAIN
Playing to a familiar script, SO QB Drew Hubel once again earned Big Sky Conference Player of the Week honors with a brilliant performance at PGE Park. In three of his five career starts at PGE Park, Hubel has earned Big Sky Player of the Week. This time, Hubel completed 28-36 passes for 343 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 24-21 win over Northern Colorado (11/22). Hubel completed his first 14 passes of the game in leading the Vikings on three straight TD drives. For his career at PGE Park (seven total games), Hubel has completed 196-326 passes (.601) for 2,624 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He averages 375 yards per game.