“You don't know the league really until you coach it a year,” Glanville, who came back to the continental U.S. after two seasons in Hawaii, said this summer. “This time next year, I'll know.”
As of this week, Glanville knows anything can happen. That maxim was confirmed Saturday, when his Vikings and the Weber State Wildcats nearly blew up the PGE Park scoreboard while playing the NCAA's highest-scoring football game.
But this soon? Like that?
“I tell my team every year, you've got to win one 10-7, 7-3, something like that,” Glanville said. “And every year you're going to have to have a shootout. But I'm thinking a shootout is 41-38. Nothing like we got into.”
Neither Glanville nor his players are wondering what they got into, though the Vikings boast a 2-6 record heading into Saturday's Big Sky Conference contest at No. 4 Montana. Their current three-game losing streak has undone a promising September.
After losses to McNeese State and UC Davis, they jumped to the top of the Big Sky with wins over Sacramento State (35-24) and Eastern Washington (28-21).
Then came October, and the Vikings were outscored at home 44-43 by Northern Arizona, before turnovers paved the way for a 38-20 loss at Idaho State.
Then came something really scary: Weber State.
The last game hasn't exactly left the players, none of whom were recruited by Glanville, wistful for Tim Walsh, PSU's career wins leader. Glanville and Davis, the offensive coordinator, had people talking about Viking football from the day they were hired.
They're certainly still talking, and the players remain positive.
“Even though we lost, to be a part of history was special,” offered receiver Tremayne Kirkland, who transferred in from UNLV, then received a hardship from the NCAA to play this season under Glanville. “Our freshman played good. The line held up well and Coach Davis does what he does. It was a blessing to be in that game.
“But to score 68 points and lose, it's kind of typical of what's been going on.”
“Not a whole lot of defense,” said linebacker Jordan Senn. “I didn't feel like we were getting dominated, which is how you think you'd feel. We just had mental mistakes that hurt us, a lot.
“If someone told me my offense puts up 68 points, what do you think the outcome would be, I'd have to think we'd win. Still, I think we forced them to punt once. They had two interceptions and one fumble. We didn't stop them but one time aside from turnovers.”
It seems clear the Vikings are still adjusting to the switch from the four-down linemen look Walsh favored to the 3-4 favored by Glanville, who is PSU's defensive coordinator.
Senn has excelled, with 96 tackles compared to 51 for the guy in second, linebacker K.J. McCrae. Safety Michael Dorsey has been a force, linebacker Andy Schantz has rallied nicely from midseason knee surgery, and Casey Tyler and Cole Smith have done solid work up front.
Injuries in the secondary have played a role, clearly. The Vikings lost corner Jordan Brown for the season against Weber. Yet an offense that had to pick up Davis' complicated run-and-shoot is potent, while relying heavily on third-stringers at quarterback and fullback.
Brian White moved into the starting QB spot after Tygue Howland was injured in PSU's first game and the Colorado transfer completed 62.9 percent of his passes. Then White banged his hand on a helmet at ISU and a subsequent injection made it tough for him to grip the ball.
“We looked at him game day, and said, ‘Well, we'll go with the freshman,' ” Glanville said. “Not ever knowing what was going to transpire.”
What transpired is Drew Hubel broke the school record with nine TD passes against Weber.
“I'd be a liar to tell you I expected him to throw nine,” said Kirkland. “But I expected him to play well.”
Hubel - he's the listed starter this week - has plenty of targets in Kirkland, Reggie Joseph, Kenneth Mackins and David Lewis. All have more than 26 catches. Then there is Olaniyi Sobomehin, a 230-pound senior from Portland who started the season behind Bobby McClintock (lost for the year against McNeese) and Kyley McCrae (lost in fall camp).
Sobomehin has run for 505 yards and six touchdowns and caught 34 passes for 311 yards and three more TDs.
“Nobody ever thought of this kid, ‘Nee,' being the guy,” Glanville said. “I'm going to tell you, no one on our team plays any harder. Every game he hits people, every game he does what he's supposed to do. Kind of a neat story.
“That's what teaching's all about and that's the fun, watching a kid who becomes a player for you.”
Portland State still has plenty of players and now owns a piece of history.
“It was kind of a shock,” Glanville said. “Probably what most people don't realize is that at the end of the first quarter it was 7-3. Both defenses were making plays. Not a hint of what was to come.”
Click here to listen to Wednesday's weekly Big Sky Conference football coaches press conference.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)