"Realistically, they probably should be 3-1 and playing us for the lead in the conference, rather than being 1-3 (in league play)," said Hauck, whose Griz taking on the Vikings Saturday. "Our players know that Portland State's a good football team."
The Vikings boast a fast, stingy defense and an excellent running game. They're good on special teams, and an offensive line that includes two freshmen - one is a 295-pound, 17-year-old Hawaiian named Brennan Carvelho - has gelled nicely. Yet they're still 3-4, after giving up fourth-quarter leads their last two outings.
"Looking at these guys on paper, they're first or second in just about every (Big Sky) category," Montana receiver Jefferson Heidelberger said. "And on film, you kind of see why. They do things well and they've got great team speed."
Portland State plays mainly zone defense while employing five defensive backs. Despite being short a linebacker, the Vikings are right behind the Griz in rushing defense, both giving up under 120 yards a game.
"They play a whole lot of 'cover 2,' which is generally the defense you want to run the football into," Heidelberger said. "And they still stop the run out of it. They're just good and sound in what they do."
Montana's running game has come more and more into balance with the pass the last few weeks. The Griz have averaged 157 yards on the ground in their three league games, with Justin Green and Lex Hilliard combining for 124 yards an outing. Meanwhile, quarterback Craig Ochs has been sharp all season, and may be sharper now that the cast on his injured right thumb has been discarded. He may have to be, since rain is likely Saturday.
Portland State coach Tim Walsh is impressed with Ochs, a senior in his second season at the helm.
"As a coach the thing that pleases me most is when a quarterback acts like he's in your mind when he's out on the field," Walsh said. "To me, that's the ultimate quarterback."
Portland State counters with Joe Wiser, whose 48 percent completion rate and eight interceptions won't put fear into many teams. But Hauck rates him as a mobile quarterback, able to check down to running backs or his tight ends easily. The return of receiver Ryan Brown has made things easier for Wiser. Yet he's not likely to complete 60 percent Saturday.
"That's not his deal, but he moves around well and finds people," Hauck said. "With Brown back in there, their throwing game has picked up."
Still, the Vikings' strength is in the legs of Ryan Fuqua and Joe Rubin. Fuqua, playing through a torn hip muscle, has 607 yards and averages 4.8 yards a carry, and Rubin checks in at 426 and 4.6. "Frankly the other kid (Rubin) has played better in recent weeks, in my opinion," said Hauck. "I wouldn't be surprised, if Fuqua's not healthy, to see Rubin start. He's a good player. They don't lose anything by putting him in the game."
Rubin, 5-foot-11 and 225, is a more physical presence. Fuqua, 5-11 and 205, has more speed. They'll also be in the backfield together at times.
"They line up in two-back, two-tight end more than any team we've played," Hauck said of the Vikings. "We prepared for that versus Eastern Washington, and they didn't do much of it, but these guys are more insistent in running the ball than anyone we've played."
Which is a little different challenge for the Griz in the pass-happy Big Sky.
"They're big guys (up front), they're athletic looking," Montana linebacker Adam Hoge said. "They've averaged 50 or so attempts (actually 44) the last two games running the ball, and I know they've had 10 minutes more than the other teams they've played in time of possession. So the run is definitely going to be a challenge to stop, this week."
Montana is coming off a bye week, following a big 31-28 win at Eastern Washington. Portland State is coming off its second straight heartbreaker, and this game could make their season.
"It's definitely something we've had on our minds all week," said Hoge, the Grizzlies' second-leading tackler with 38. "We don't want to come out and be flat, and we know they're going to play hard - they always play us hard down there in Portland. We're definitely expecting a good game."
Walsh is 1-7 in his career facing Montana, the lone win coming 51-48 in overtime in 1999. Two years ago the Griz escaped with a 24-21 win at PGE Park, thanks to an 11-yard touchdown pass to Portland native JR Waller with 51 seconds left.
"It'll be an evenly matched game," Hauck said.
"Playing here for four years, we've been kind of 'The Team' on everybody's schedule," Heidelberger said. "Whether they're in the hunt or not. This week's no different, especially since these guys are so good and they kind of need something to make their season a good one."
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