Coming off of the Oregon Ducks' Week 2 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, we won't have to wait very long to see them face off against their Week 3 opponent in the Portland State Vikings, as the game will be played on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Favored by roughly eight touchdowns, the Ducks are widely expected to roll. If they don't, the alarms would be sounding exponentially more than they already are in Eugene and from supporters of the program. This should be a beatdown, as the Vikings simply don't have the overall talent to match up with the blue-chippers that line the Oregon offense, defense and special teams.
But that doesn't mean that Portland State doesn't have talented players on their team as well. In this era of college football,
the best players on FCS rosters are poached by FBS programs, and there are several Portland State standouts that are candidates for that very occurance.
With the game between Oregon and Portland State coming up in just a few short days, here are five Vikings that Ducks fans should know before kickoff.
QB Gabe Downing
Having emerged as the starter in his third season with the program, Gabe Downing has completed 54-of-91 passes for 513 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions with one rushing score in two games started. Sophomore passer Tyrese Smith started the opener for the Vikings, but Downing has succeeded him for the last two contests and projects to be the starter on Friday. At 6-foot and 185 pounds, Downing is on the smaller side and doesn't have the strongest arm, but has showed a command for the offense when given his opportunity.
RB Delon Thompson
Delon Thompson has received a lion share of the Vikings' carries this season, totaling 49 totes versus 13 for the next closest running back. Though the Portland State offensive line has been subpar in opening up holes, Thompson has the ability to break free, evidenced by his 23- and 30-yard gains through three games. Also a receiving threat out the backfield, the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder has seven receptions for 54 yards.
WR/KR Cru Newman
An FCS Freshman All-American kick returner in 2025 after amassing 651 kickoff return yards, Cru Newman is stepping into a larger role as a viable receiving option offensively in his second season. Thus far, he's the leader in catches (19) and third in receiving yards (123) while hauling in a touchdown. He also has four carries, as the Vikings are looking to get the ball to the former Central Catholic High School quarterback-turned-dynamic-returner.
LB Logan Lisherness
A Washington and Central Washington transfer, Logan Lisherness is the Vikings' leading tackler through three games with 22 takedowns. While he doesn't have elite size for the linebacker position at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he's proven to have a nose for the football and the ability to compete at a high level against Division-I opponents.
S Isaac Redford
Portland State's top playmaker in the secondary, Isaac Redford has intercepted two passes in three games to begin the year to go along with his 18 tackles, good for fourth on the team. He transferred from Eastern Washington this offseason and has provided an immediate impact for the Vikings and is on pace to break his career-high in tackles in the next game or two.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Five Portland State Vikings for Ducks fans to know heading into Week 3
