• Listen to Nigel Burton on the Dave Smith Show at 1:30 Monday on 750 AM The Game
• Connor Kavanaugh will be on the John Canzano Bald Faced Truth Show at 3:35 Monday on 750 AM The Game.

Portland State quarterback Connor Kavanaugh has been named The Sports Network National co-Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Vikings 42-35 win at Idaho State last Saturday. Kavanaugh shares the award with Drake quarterback Mike Piatkowski. Kavanaugh also earned the Big Sky Conference's Offensive Player of the Week Award.

Kavanaugh, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior from Portland's Lincoln High School, led a record-breaking effort in the Viking's Big Sky win over the Bengals. He rushed 12 times for career-highs of 212 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, Kavanaugh completed six of 11 passes for 102 yards in the game. His scoring runs came from 33, 43, 5 and 33 yards.

Kavanaugh led a tandem attack with running back Cory McCaffrey, who rushed 33 times for 218 yards and two touchdowns. The combo led PSU to a school-record 436 rushing yards in the game. It marked the first time in PSU history that two players have rushed for at least 200 yards in the same game. Kavanaugh and McCaffrey have rushed for at least 100 yards each in five of the seven Big Sky games in which both have started over the last two seasons.

Against Idaho State, Kavanaugh averaged an amazing 17.7 yards per carry. For the season, he has 42 carries for 444 yards and five touchdowns for a remarkable 10.6 rushing average. Kavanaugh ranks 16th in the nation in rushing (111.0 per game), while teammate McCaffrey leads the nation in rushing with a 169.7 average.

Piatkowski broke the Football Championship Subdivision record for single-game completion percentage (minimum 30 attempts) in a 31-14 win against Campbell. Piatkowski completed 30-of-33 passes, or 90.9 percent, for 342 yards and three touchdowns.

Other Big Sky Conference players of the week were: Montana State defensive tackle Zach Minter and Eastern Washington defensive end Anthony Larry (Co-Defensive Players of the Week); and Montana punt returner Jabin Sambrano (Special Teams Player of the Week).

PSU's last National Players of the Week were: Aaron Woods (Special Teams, 2009), Drew Hubel (Offense, 2007 and 2008), and Adam Hayward (Defense, 2006 - twice).

BIG GAME ALERT: VIKINGS AND BOBCATS WILL BATTLE FOR SOLE POSSESSION OF FIRST PLACE
Portland State will need every yard from McCaffrey and Kavanaugh this Saturday as the Vikings face their biggest game in four years at home against fourth-ranked Montana State. PSU picked up a 42-35 win at Idaho State on Saturday, improving to 3-1 overall, 2-0 in the Big Sky Conference.

MSU, which beat Sacramento State, 31-21, is 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the Big Sky. The Bobcats are ranked third in the nation. Montana State brings the league's best defense (292.2 ypg allowed and 18.0 ppg allowed) into Saturday's game.

PSU and MSU are the only undefeated teams in Big Sky Conference play, making Saturday's game a battle for first place. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. at JELD-WEN Field on Saturday. It will be the most significant game that Portland State has played in years, and will go a long way toward winning the Big Sky Conference and reaching the NCAA playoffs for the winner.

Montana State won the Big Sky Conference in 2010 and advanced to the NCAA playoffs. PSU has never won a Big Sky title as it is now in its 16th season as a member. PSU has finished second four times, with its last NCAA playoff appearance in 2000.

The game will be available on Comcast SportsNet (channel 37/HD 737) in the Portland area. Comcast will air the broadcast feed from Max Media in Montana. The game will also be aired on Freedom 970 AM. The pregame show begins at noon.

Saturday's game will be a "Green Out" as all fans are asked to wear Viking green to the game.

Tickets are available at the Portland State Ticket Office, located at Smith Memorial Union, 1825 SW Broadway on the PSU campus. Or call, 1-888-VIK-TIKS or 503-725-3307. Tickets can also be purchased at all TicketMaster outlets or online at ticketmaster.com. Prices range from $8-$50.