Offensive Statistics
Defensive Statistics

Portland, OR - Big plays by the Portland State defense made the difference in the Vikings annual spring game played at Jesuit High School. The Viking defense forced five turnovers and defeated the offense, 44-24, in a game using a modified scoring system.

PSU's talented linebacking crew led the way as it made three of the defense's four interceptions. In addition, the defense forced two fumbles, recovering one. The score was the result of the defense getting six points for forced turnovers, and making defensive series stops throughout the game.

"They took advantage of opportunities, tipped balls, things like that, and believe it or not it was the stuff we practice," said Viking Coach Nigel Burton of his defense. "We constantly practice tipped balls, forcing fumbles, so I think it paid off for them."

The Viking offense ran 81 plays and totaled 452 yards despite the turnovers. Four quarterbacks combined to complete 20 of 50 passes for 368 yards.

The biggest play of the day for the offense was 70-yard scoring strike from junior college transfer quarterback Collin Ramirez to wide receiver Nevin Lewis. Other touchdowns came on a 23-yard scoring strike from Nick Green to Justin Monahan and an 18-yard touchdown run by Josh Milhollin.

All-American kicker Zach Brown added a 45-yard field goal to complete the scoring for the offense.

With the offense leading 10-3 late in the second period, the defense came up with a pair of turnovers; first a fumble recovery by defensive end Sadat Sulleyman, then an interception by linebacker Joel Sisler. The defense led 15-10 at halftime.

Midway through the third period, following the TD pass from Ramirez to Lewis, linebacker Ian Sluss made a 48-yard interception return for touchdown. A moment later, linebacker Corey Crowder also picked off a pass.

In the fourth quarter, Ronnie Simmons added an interception and the defense broke away for a ceremonial victory.

"We tried to keep it simple today, have everybody do their job, and it paid off. We were getting turnovers, doing the right things," said Sluss. "Our linebacking crew is real close and I feel like we have a good flow right now. We all know the defense pretty well."

Linebacker Jaycob Shoemaker, who is coming off a redshirt season due to injury, had seven tackles to lead the defense. Sluss, a second team All-Big Sky Conference performer in 2011, added six stops and broke up two passes to go with his interception. Sulleyman had 2.5 tackles for loss.

In all, the defense had five tackles for loss, one sack and six pass breakups to go with its forced turnovers.

On offense, Milhollin rushed four times for 37 yards. He completed 7-17 passes for 67 yards and one interception. Ramirez completed 3-10 passes for 89 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Green completed 5-8 passes for 125 yards and a score. Thomas Carter was 5-15 passing for 87 yards and two interceptions. Carter also rushed four times for 21 yards.

The Viking running game was slowed to 84 yards on 31 carries.

"Offensively, we did a good job throwing the deep ball. We had an opportunity to make some plays (but didn't) and they paid for it," said Burton.

Burton summed up his team's spring practice with a lot of satisfaction.

"We saw a lot of guys make plays, and that's what I like to see, playmakers," said Burton. "We haven't had one (side of the ball) dominating the other. The offense has gotten the best of the defense in these games (in the past), so now I think it is even."

A youth clinic with Portland State players opened the Spring Game Day festivities. That was followed by an alumni flag football game. The Black team defeated the White team, 36-24. There were 1,326 fans in attendance at Jesuit.


Portland State Spring Game Scoring (Defense 44, Offense 24)

Scoring Summary (offense score listed first)
Defense - 3-and out, 0-1
Defense - 3-and-out, 0-2
End of 1st Quarter
Offense - Zach Brown 45 FG, 9:25-2nd, 3-2
Defense - Defensive stop, 3-3
Offense - Josh Milhollin 18 run (Brown kick), 1:06-2nd, 10-3
Defense - Turnover, fumble recovery by Sadat Sulleyman, 10-9
Defense - Turnover, interception by Joel Sisler, 10-15
End of 2nd Quarter
Defense - Defensive stop, 10-16
Offense- Nevin Lewis 70 pass from Collin Ramirez (Nick Fernandez kick), 6:40-3rd, 17-16
Defense - Ian Sluss 48 interception return (Fernandez kick), 17-29
Defense - Corey Crowder interception, 17-35
End of 3rd Quarter
Offense - Justin Monahan 23 pass from Nick Green (Nick Fernandez kick), 7:30-4th, 24-35
Defense - Ronnie Simmons interception, 24-41
Defense - Defensive stop, 24-42
Defense - Defensive stop, 24-43
Defense - Defensive stop, 24-44
End of Game