University of Northern Colorado cornerback Quincy Wofford isn’t worried about facing the high-powered run-and shoot offense of Portland State at 1:35 p.m. today at Nottingham Field.
Actually, he is concerned for the Vikings.
After the Bears No. 1 ranked pass defense in the Big Sky Conference gave up four touchdown passes to Northern Arizona last week, including an 81-yard bomb to Lumberjacks receiver Ed Berry, Wofford and the Bears are determined not to let it happen again.
It will not be easy for the Bears (0-3 Big Sky, 1-4 overall). The Vikings (0-3, 1-4) come into the game with the No. 1 pass offense in the Big Sky, led by quarterback Drew Hubel. Hubel is leading the Big Sky in passing with 344 yards per game through the air.
Of course, the run-and-shoot is a quarterback friendly-system in which only one running back and four receivers that spread out the defense hoping to create mismatches. Wide receivers usually determine their own routes based on the defense.
The run-and-shoot was made famous by Mouse Davis, the former long-time college and pro coach who retired this year as the Vikings offensive coordinator.
While the offense may seem like a nightmare for a defensive back because a quarterback might throw the ball more than 50 times a game, Wofford loves playing against it.
He may get that opportunity. Hubel has thrown seven interceptions so far, only one fewer than touchdowns passes. Besides, the Bears believe they are the best pass defense in the league, and they want to go out and prove it.
UNC coach Scott Downing knows the Bears defense will be tested, but said the Bears shouldn’t be surprised by anything Portland State throws at them with the run-and-shoot.
Of course, Wofford would like nothing better than to hold the Vikings to less than 100 yards passing. While that is unlikely, he believes the defense should be rewarded by defensive coordinator Cody Deti if it does.
UNC secondary vs. Portland State QB Drew Hubel: Hubel is putting up big numbers running the run-and-shoot offense. He already has 1,670 yards passing to lead the Big Sky and has four games of throwing for more than 300 yards. The down side of the run-and-shoot is that he is averaging 37 attempts per game, which means their is more opportunities for interceptions; Hubel has thrown seven so far. That has the UNC defense licking its chops. Although the Bears are only tied for fourth in the conference in interceptions so far this season, they have the top-ranked pass defense led by safety Max Hewitt and cornerback Korey Askew. However, the Bears have given up 11 passing touchdowns, tied for third-most in the conference. The key will be not letting Hubel get into a rhythm and start picking the Bears apart. If he does that, it could be a long afternoon.
UNC red-zone offense vs. Portland State red-zone offense: Last season, one of the areas the UNC offense prided itself on most was its efficiency inside the 20. The Bears scored on 30-of-36 possessions inside the red zone or 83.3 percent. That was second best in the conference to only Weber State. So far this season, the Bears are second-to-last in the conference in red zone efficiency. UNC has scored on 8-of-14 attempts in the red zone, a 57.1 percent efficiency. Fortunately, Portland State isn’t much better. The Vikings are only one spot ahead of the Bears in the conference in red-zone efficiency (seventh). Portland State has scored on only 8-of-13 attempts in the red zone, or 61.5 percent. Whoever wins this battle probably wins the game.
UNC special teams vs. Portland State special teams: Portland State’s Aaron Woods is not only one of the Vikings best receivers, but also one of the conferences best return men. He is the only player in the Big Sky to be in the top five in kickoff return and punt return yardage. Woods is averaging 24.2 per kickoff return and is the only player in the Big Sky to have returned one for a touchdown this season (97 yards). He is also averaging 6.5 per punt return. UNC has two pretty good returners of its own. Redshirt freshman John Burnley is third in the conference in kickoff returns, averaging 24.4 per return. Senior Ryan Lutz is averaging 7.2 per punt return, third best in the Big Sky. UNC will have to do a much better job on kickoff coverage if they want to contain Woods and win the battle for field position. The Bears are second to last in the conference in kickoff coverage. Portland State is only sixth in the conference, though.
Portland State 24, UNC 21: Drew Hubel completed 28-of-36 passes for 343 yards and three touchdowns as the Portland State won the season finale at PGE Park. The Bears outgained the Vikings, 431-426, with running back David Woods leading the way. Woods rushed for 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns. UNC quarterback Bryan Waggener completed 24-of-38 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Dominic Gunn led all UNC receivers with four catches for 60 yards. Portland State receiver Aaron Woods caught eight passes for 113 yards and Daniel Wolverton had six catches for 112 yards. UNC trailed 24-14 entering the fourth quarter, but UNC receiver Cory Fauver caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Waggener with 4:11 left to pull the Bears within three. However, the Bears could pull no closer.
Streaks: Portland State has lost eight straight road games and five straight Big Sky road games. UNC has lost nine straight Big Sky Conference games. Both teams are on a three-game losing streak.
The numbers: UNC quarterback Bryan Waggener ranks sixth in the nation among FCS active career leaders in passing attempts (34.4 per game) and is 11th in passing yards (215 per game). He is also seventh in completions per game (19.6). Waggener needs only 48 passing yards to reach 3,500 for his career. UNC sophomore Cameron Kaman ranks 10th among FCS active career leaders in punting average (39.91). UNC safety Max Hewitt is two tackles shy of 150 for his career. UNC linebacker Matt King needs just eight more tackles to match his season total of 44 from each of his first two years. PSU wide receiver Raymond Fry III is averaging 109.6 yards receiving per game, first in the Big Sky and third in the nation.
For the record: The Vikings are 1-4 for the first time since 1997 and 0-3 in the Big Sky Conference for the first time since 1996, their first year in the conference.
Big Thompson: UNC wide receiver Alex Thompson caught 12 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns last week against Northern Arizona. The 12 catches tied for second all-time in UNC history for a single game. The last time a UNC player had 10 or more catches was when Vincent Jackson caught 10 passes against Florida Atlantic on Oct. 16, 2004. Thompson’s three touchdowns were second most in a game. Thompson also became the first player since 2006 to score three or more touchdowns in a game. The last was Andre Wilson against Western Illinois on Sept. 23, 2006.
Turn around: The Bears were just 17-for-55 on third downs (.309) before last week when they converted 13-of-23 third downs (.565) against NAU.
An omen?: The only time UNC has beaten Portland State in its history was 30 years ago on its homecoming. The Bears defeated the Vikings 21-20 on Oct. 20, 1979.
Man in Black: Portland State head coach Jerry Glanville was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons (1990-93) and Houston Oilers (1986-89) as well as a long time assistant coach in the NFL. Glanville is 8-19 in his third season at Portland State.
Moving on up: Portland State quarterback Drew Hubel moved into fifth place on the Vikings all-time passing list with 6,052 yards. He passed Vikings’ legend June Jones (5,798, 1975-76).