Alex Kuresa has spent the last few weeks hearing about how the Vikings have been able to turn around Portland State’s football program. Before he signed with PSU, he didn’t know there was anything to turn around.
The Portland State junior quarterback came from Snow Junior College to play for Bruce Barnum, a first-year, first-time head coach with a vision. He sold Kuresa on the City of Roses and the chance to start under center for a team that expected to compete with the top teams in the Big Sky. Kuresa had no idea the Vikings were 21-36 in five seasons under Nigel Burton.
PSU quarterback Alex Kuresa runs the options with running back Steven Long
“The outside expectations weren’t that high but for us, they were,” Kuresa said. “Outside of our little family, our little community, not a lot of people believed in us this season. I believe we were supposed to win one game. Ever since I stepped foot on campus, I didn’t know that because of the environment here. Everyone was expecting to win this year with the positivity that is going around and with the new coaching staff. We’ve revived Portland State. Coming in, I had no idea that was the outside attitude because I did not see that anywhere. We honestly expect to win.”
On Saturday at Providence Park in downtown Portland, Kuresa and the Vikings will get a chance to prove they truly are Big Sky Conference contenders. PSU defeated preseason No. 23 Idaho State in Pocatello in its Big Sky opener but on Saturday, the Vikings host No. 16 Montana State. The Bobcats were the preseason favorite to win the Big Sky by the league’s coaches and feature one of the most high-powered offenses in college football.
“They are worried about the Griz and I’m not sure even now if they are worried about Portland State just because of the history of the conference and what they have done to us,” said Barnum, who signed a 5-year contract on Wednesday. “I think we have lost that game many times before the game starts. I won’t let that happen this year.
“The cream of the crop is coming to town and we are trying to get ready for them right now. Dakota (Prukop) and the crew, they are dang good. They are fun to watch on the TV.”
MSU quarterback Dakota Prukop warms up against EWU with the company of ROOT SPORTS cameras
Montana State’s offense has certainly been something to see on television. Prukop, MSU’s junior dual-threat quarterback, is averaging an FCS-best 409.8 yards of total offense per game as the Bobcats lead the Big Sky in scoring (43.2 points per game) and total offense (564 yards per game). Prukop is throwing for 335 yards per game and rushing for almost 90. He has 19 total touchdowns, including 14 through the air.
“Nobody can stop him,” Barnum said in an interview with Mike Lund from PSU sports information. “That kid is the real deal. He has great help. He is running the system and he’s leading their team. Offensively, they are lighting it up. Everyone is trying to find a weakness but with him, there is none.
“He looks like a quarterback. He’s big. You set him up against our guy, he looks like the drown rat of the NCAA. Dakota looks like Bart Starr or Johnny Unitas or something. He’s a real dude. It’s good for the conference to be able to get talent like that. The defense is excited to see him and maybe get some autographs before the game.”
Barnum’s self-deprecating style has been a key to revitalizing the effort and mentality of his team. The Vikings currently lead the league by allowing 11.4 points per game and 294 yards per outing. A talented secondary featuring NFL prospects in senior cornerback Aaron Sibley and senior safety Patrick Onwuasor has helped the Vikings take the ball away the second-most times in the league.
“They are very aggressive, physical, hard hitting group,” MSU head coach Rob Ash said. “They are very good on the outside. The corners are really tough so they can play some man to man out there and free up everyone else to wreak havoc on whatever is going on.”
PSU defensive end Sadat Sulleyman/PSU ATHLETICS
MSU’s offensive front is a major strength of the Bobcats. The unit features four seniors. Portland State’s defensive line is also a major strength, a unit anchored by senior defensive end Sudat Sulleyman and senior nose tackle Daniel Fusi.
“No. 42, Sulleyman is athletic, active and sudden. They have some big suckers in the middle who are tough to move,” MSU offensive line coach Jason Eck said. “We have to get some different looks, run the ball, set up play action. We have to do well in protection. They are very sound but aren’t a huge blitz team. They give you a few different looks front-wise and give you some line movement but they are not a team that will heat you up. They just play sound football and play their tails off.”
Offensively, the Vikings play a bruising style that compliments their ferocious defense. Five different players including Kuresa have carried the ball at least 25 times for a rushing attack that averages 238 yards per game. Senior speedster David Jones, a converted wide receiver, leads the Big Sky in yards per carry at 7.5 after piling up 134 yards on just nine rushes in PSU’s 66-7 win over FBS North Texas last weekend. Junior Nate Tago is the short-yardage back and his five touchdowns lead the team. Steven Long has also scored three times. Kuresa has a team-high 70 carries and is averaging 4.1 yards per rush. He’s also throwing for 141 yards per game and has tossed five touchdowns.
“It’s the Barny Ball mentality of blue collar and pounding the rock,” Kuresa said. “Fundamental, tough football. If someone steps up and hits us in the mouth, we have a lot of different weapons where we can swing back.”
MSU offense ft. Dakota Prukop & John Weidenaar celebrate a TD
Montana State’s defense has been vulnerable this year, particularly on the road. MSU is 3-0 in Bozeman, 0-2 away from Bobcat Stadium this season. The Bobcat defense is surrendering 52 points per game in foreign venues.
On Saturday, PSU’s defense will get its most diverse test. The Vikings slowed down pass-happy Washington State and smothered throw-first Idaho State. Portland State’s lone loss came to ground and pound North Dakota. The Viks have yet to see a team with the offensive diversity of the Bobcats.
“We know what Montana State is,” Barnum said. “You look at Montana State, they haven’t been here in many moons. I don’t even remember how they traveled. I hope they travel like Griz Nation and we can get a crowd. We haven’t played them here in a long time. It is a powerhouse. Coach Ash has built a program that everyone is shooting for in the Big Sky Conference. It’s one of the top guns up there. You see it on film. Respectful, well coached program with some tough ass kids. We will have to play our best game to win.”
Photos by Brooks Nuanez or noted. All Rights Reserved.
