For information on all Portland State University sports, see Portland State Vikings
Portland State Vikings football
2023 Portland State Vikings football team
First season1947; 77 years ago (1947)
Head coachBruce Barnum
10th season, 35–56 (.385)
StadiumHillsboro Stadium
(capacity: 7,600)
Field surfaceFieldTurf
LocationPortland, Oregon
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferenceBig Sky Conference
All-time record368–420–10 (.467)
Playoff appearancesNCAA Division I: 2
NCAA Division II: 8
Playoff recordNCAA Division I: 0–2
NCAA Division II: 12–8
Conference titles8 (2 OCC, 6 WFC)
RivalriesEastern Washington (rivalry)
Montana
Idaho State
ColorsGreen, white, and silver[1]
     
Websitegoviks.com

The Portland State Vikings football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the Portland State University located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Big Sky Conference. The school's first football team was fielded in 1947. The team plays its home games at the 7,600 seat Hillsboro Stadium. Viking football practice takes place on campus at the Peter W. Stott Field.

History

Classifications

Conference affiliations

Head coaches

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
1947–1954 Joe Holland 8 20–42–3 .331
1955–1956 Ralph Davis 2 4–11–1 .281
1957–1958 Les Leggett 2 6–11–0 .353
1959–1961 Hugh Smithwick 3 6–17–2 .280
1962–1962 Tom DeSylvia 1 4–4 .500
1963–1967 Jerry Lyons 5 21–24–1 .338
1968–1971 Don Read† 4 20–19 .513
1972–1974 Ron Stratten 3 9–24 .273
1975–1980 Mouse Davis 6 42–24 .636
1981–1985 Don Read† 5 19–33–1 .368
1986–1992 Pokey Allen 7 63–26–2 .703
1993–2006 Tim Walsh 14 90–68 .570
2007–2009 Jerry Glanville 3 9–24 .273
2010–2014 Nigel Burton 5 21–36 .368
2015–present Bruce Barnum 9 35–56 .385

† Read's combined statistics: 9 seasons, with a record of 39–52–1 (.429).

Championships

Conference championships

Year Coach Conference Overall record Conference record
1963 Jerry Lyons Oregon Collegiate Conference 6–2–1 5–1
1964† 7–2 5–1
1984 Don Read Western Football Conference 8–3 3–0
1987 Pokey Allen 11–2–1 4–1–1
1988 11–3–1 6–0
1989 9–4 4–1
1991 11–3 5–0
1992 9–4 4–1
Conference championships 8

† Co-champions

Playoff results

Division I-AA/FCS

The Vikings have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs two times. Their overall record is 0–2.

Year Round Opponent Result
2000 First Round Delaware L, 14–49
2015 Second Round Northern Iowa L, 17–29

Division II

The Vikings appeared in the Division II playoffs eight times from 1987 through 1995 with an overall record of 12–8.

Year Round Opponent Result
1987 Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		 Minnesota State–Mankato
Northern Michigan
Troy State		 W, 27–21
W, 13–7
L, 17–31
1988 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		 Bowie State
Jacksonville State
Texas A&I
North Dakota State		 W, 34–17
W, 20–13
W, 35–27
L, 21–35
1989 First Round
Quarterfinals
 West Chester
Indiana (PA)		 W, 56–50 3OT
L, 0–17
1991 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		 Northern Colorado
Minnesota State–Mankato
Pittsburg State		 W, 27–7
W, 37–27
L, 21–53
1992 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		 UC Davis
Texas A&I
Pittsburg State		 W, 42–28
W, 35–30
L, 38–41
1993 First Round Texas A&M–Kingsville L, 15–50
1994 First Round
Quarterfinals		 Angelo State
Texas A&M–Kingsville		 W, 29–0
L, 16–21
1995 First Round
Quarterfinals		 East Texas State
Texas A&M–Kingsville		 W, 56–35
L, 3–30

Rivalries

Eastern Washington

See also: The Dam Cup

The Vikings have a rivalry with the Eastern Washington Eagles in all sports, starting in 2010 called The Dam Cup. Eastern Washington won the first rivalry match between the two schools in 2010 with a score of 55–17. The purpose of the Dam Cup is to create a rivalry between Portland State University and Eastern Washington University and provide a sense of pride between alumni in the Portland, OR and Spokane, WA areas. Other goals include increasing attendance at events between both schools and building school spirit among each institutions' student body.

Team Rivalry name Trophy Games played First meeting Last meeting Viks win Viks loss Ties Win %
Portland State Vikings The Dam Cup Dam Cup 43 1986‡ 2022, Won 38–35 21 21 1 .500

‡ The Dam Cup rivalry with Portland State was officially established in 2010, but both teams have played against each other since the date listed above.

Montana

Dot's Pretzels Bowl

The Viks and the Montana Grizzlies have played each other 46 times since the 1965 football season. Coach Bruce Barnum and Griz coach Bobby Hauck have a friendly rivalry based in part on Hershey-owned Dot's Pretzels.[2] The 46 matchups are the most games Portland State has played anyone. Montana is one of Portland State's two protected Big Sky Conference rivalries (along with Northern Colorado) when the conference shifted to one division in 2022, meaning they will play every year. The University of Montana leads the all-time series 33–13 as of 2022. [3]

Team Rivalry name Trophy Games played First meeting Last meeting Viks win Viks loss Ties Win %
Portland State Vikings Dot's Pretzel Bowl 46 1965 2022, Lost 53–16 13 33 0 .283

Idaho State

The Viks and Idaho State Bengals have played each other 45 times since 1965. Idaho State leads the series 26–18–1 as of 2022.

Individual awards and honors

Retired numbers

See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers
Portland State Vikings retired numbers
No. Name Position Career No. ret. Ref.
11 Neil Lomax [n 1] Quarterback 1977–1980 [5]
18 Peter W. Stott – [n 2] – 2014 [6]
Notes
  1. ^ Lomax had the greatest records of any passer up to his time and statistics that topped all divisions. He led the nation in total offense three times, 1978-1980. He led the nation in passing in 1978 . In a 1980 game against Delaware State, Lomax threw seven touchdown passes in the first quarter. This was on the way to a 105-0 victory. His passing yardage in 1980 was 4,094 in 11 games.[4] That year Lomax finished seventh in the Heisman voting and was most valuable player in the Senior Bowl.
  2. ^ Peter W. Stott has been an advocate of Portland State Athletics during its growth and development at the Division I level. His contributions to Portland State Athletics, through time, effort, donations, and his outstanding contributions to the Viking program for over 30 years by having the number 18 retired by Viking athletics in his honor. [6]

National award winners

Bruce Barnum (2015)

Conference award winners

Bruce Barnum (2015)

College Football Hall of Fame

The Vikings have one player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[7]

Year inducted Player Position Seasons at Portland State
1996 Neil Lomax Quarterback 1977–1980

Notable former players

See also: Category:Portland State Vikings football players

Notable alumni include:

References

  1. ^ "Portland State University Color Palette". Portland State University Athletics Brand Identity (PDF). May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  2. ^ "Barny & Friend". Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  3. ^ "Montana and Montana State get new protected rivals". Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  4. ^ Portland State, Lomax Weren’t Quiet as a Mouse When They Roared For 105 Points - APR 6, 2022 by CRAIG HALEY
  5. ^ Neil Lomax bio on oregonencyclopedia.org
  6. ^ a b "Peter W. Stott honored with Retired Number". Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  7. ^ Hall of Fame. "Inductees by College". CFBHOF. Archived from the original on November 7, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014.

External links

Portland State Vikings football
Portland State University
Big Sky Conference football
American football teams based in Portland, Oregon
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