By CHRIS WALTERSKIRCHEN
Since the Portland State Vikings joined the Big Sky Conference they have manged just two narrow wins over Montana–both in Portland and most recently in 2004.
New PSU head coach Bruce Barnum has spent more than a decade in the Big Sky Conference at times coaching both on the offensive and defensive side of football. Berum had been on the Vikings staff originally as the offensive coordinator before being named first interim and later permanent head coach.
Portland State has pulled a rarity for FCS schools: two road wins against FBS schools, North Texas which has yet to win a game this season, and Washington who remains a contender for for a post-season Bowl game.
Grizzly reserve linebacker Alex Thomas celebrates birthday number 20 on Saturday. Thomas a product of Great Falls Russell may have been born to be a Grizzly as Montana won their first 21 football games of Thomas’ life and 25 of the first 26 games.
Portland State running back David Jones has been pounding on Big Skyy defense this season. Jones’ favorite hobby is playing the drums which ties his hobby and sports success together.
Portland state quarterback Alex Kusera has had to work on his leadership skills over the past year as he and his wife had their first child last spring.
Portland State defensive lineman Dave Deda lists as his favorite hobby, meeting new people and making news friends. The Griz are hoping the Vikings’ defensive star is very lonely Saturday.
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Chris Walterskirchen has been an observer of Montana sports for nearly half a century. A Kalispell native, Chris has worked in various capacities for professional and college sports organization of at various times: ranging from announcing and statistical work to the concessions and even a stint as a costumed mascot.
Chris has academic degrees in communications and elementary education. His style of sports trivia involves more than just who won and who lost, but also focuses on the obscure or human side of sports. In this blog you will learn things like the Grizzly football team has won 210 games over the 19 seasons since they have had Monte as their mascot or that UNLV is the only school that both the Griz and Lady Griz have both faced in the NCAA basketball tournament
When not following sports Chris enjoys taking care of animals of all kinds (a peacock rescue?) and reading to pre-schoolers.