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![\"Defensive](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Matagi1.jpg\")
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\n Jack Lewy
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Defensive tackle Daniel Matagi (55) tackles Micah Avery (27) during last Saturday’s scrimmage.<\/p>\n
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\n Football
\n 8\/4\/2025 2:08:00 PM
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\n by Mike Lund
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\n Story Links
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It should be quite an opener for the Portland State Vikings on August 23 when they host the Tarleton State Texans at Hillsboro Stadium. In addition to being the earliest start in PSU history, the game will mark the first time a PSU home game has been televised on ESPN2. \u00a0
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\nIn addition to the usual ESPN+ broadcast, the Vikings and The Texans will air nationally on ESPN2 as one of five FCS games being played during Week 0 of the college football season. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available by going to this link<\/a>.
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\nRANKED OPPONENTS
\nSpeaking of Tarleton State, the Texans were ranked 10th in the nation in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 released today. Tarleton State is one of five PSU opponents in the FCS top 20. Also included are: Montana (7th), Idaho (12th), Sacramento State (15th) and Northern Arizona (19th). Game three opponent North Dakota is also among those receiving votes.
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\nPRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CONNECTIONS
\nA former player of Portland State Football Head Coach Bruce Barnum<\/a> was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over the weekend\u2026 and a father of a current Viking player was also inducted.
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\nBarnum was the defensive coordinator at Idaho State 25 years ago when Jared Allen emerged as a star in the Big Sky Conference. The rest was history as Allen went on to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL.
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\nPSU defensive line coach Mark Rhea<\/a>, who was Allen’s position coach at ISU, attended the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, OH. Barnum, Rhea and current PSU defensive coordinator Bryant Thomas<\/a> all coached Allen at Idaho State from 2000-03.
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\nAlso being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was defensive back Eric Allen. His son, Jordan, is currently a linebacker for the Vikings and he was in Canton to honor his father over the weekend.
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\nKICKER KUDOS
\nSR K Mathias Uribe<\/a> has been named to the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List for 2025 recognizing the top placekicker at the non-FBS level. He is one of 35 kickers on the list, including 10 returning members (of which Uribe is one). Fifteen come from the FCS level, nine are Division II, seven are Division III, three are NAIA and one is junior college.
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\nThe Fred Mitchell Award will recognize kickers that were nominated by their schools or are at the top of their division for terrific performances through November 22, 2025 (regular season statistics only). The recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award will be announced in December based on performance on the football field and in the community.\u00a0Uribe was a Fred Mitchell Award finalist last season after kicking 11-12 field goals and 37-38 extra points for the Vikings.
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\nUribe joins JR TE Tanner Beaman<\/a> and SO S Isaiah Green<\/a> on the preseason kudo list. Beaman and Green and were named preseason All-Big Sky Conference last month.
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\nVIKING FOOTBALL LUNCHEONS
\nVikings Football Luncheons take place every Friday before home games at Old Spaghetti Factory and the public in welcome. The first luncheon is Aug. 22. To make reservations, click here<\/a>.
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\nRECENT VIKING FOOTBALL NEWS\u00a0
\nSpring Scrimmage Recap<\/a>
\nPodcast: Coach Barnum On The Bald Faced Truth With John Canzano<\/a>\u00a0
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\nPORTLAND STATE FOOTBALL PRACTICE\u00a0
\nTues, Aug. 5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9:30-11:45 a.m.
\nWed, Aug. 6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9:30-11:45 a.m.
\nThurs, Aug. 7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9:30-11:45 a.m.
\nFri, Aug. 8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9:30-11:45 a.m.
\nSat, Aug. 9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 9:30-11:45 a.m. (scrimmage)
\nSun, Aug. 10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Off Day
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\n\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jack Lewy
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