Portland State vs. Hawaii: Game Preview, How to Watch, Livestream, Kickoff Time
The Warriors look to get on track against FCS Portland State. Here’s how to watch the game and what to watch for against the Vikings.
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Hawaii hopes to come out strong.
WEEK 1: Portland State Vikings vs. Hawaii Warriors (0-1)
WHEN: Saturday, September 4 — 6:00 PM HT/9:00 PM PT/10:00 PM MT
WHERE: Clarence T.C. Ching Complex; Honolulu, HI
TV: Spectrum Pay-Per-View
STREAMING: For fans on the mainland, the game can only be streamed using the Team1Sports application, which is available for download on Android and Apple devices and over-the-top platforms like Roku and Amazon Fire. Please note that the game will not be available on desktops or laptops.
RADIO: The Hawaii broadcast can be found locally on ESPN Honolulu, 1420 AM and 92.7 FM. You can also stream the audio broadcast on ESPNHonolulu.com or through the Sideline Hawaii app.
SERIES RECORD: Hawaii leads the all-time series, 4-1. However, in the last meeting on September 9, 2000, the Vikings upset the Warriors, 45-20, in Honolulu.
WEBSITES: GoViks.com, the official Portland State athletics website | HawaiiAthletics.com, the official Hawaii athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): Portland State | Hawaii
SP+ PROJECTION: Hawaii by 38.0
This week, the Warriors return home to face the Portland State Vikings and open up a new era at T.C. Ching Field, a temporary 9,000-seat on-campus stadium that was put together within the last year after Aloha Stadium was deemed unsafe to hold any more events.
The Vikings are members of the FCS Big Sky Conference and are led by head coach Bruce Barnum, who begins his 12th year at the helm. The last time the Warriors faced the Vikings in 2000, it was the Vikings who came away with a 45-20 victory, their first against an FBS opponent in program history.
After last week’s rough start, Hawaii needs a game which rebuilds their confidence and fixes mistakes. Hopefully, this matchup with Portland State is just what the doctor ordered. Because of COVID, the Big Sky Conference pushed their season to the spring of 2021, but Portland State decided to opt out. They did play one game against Montana in April which they lost 48-7.
That being said, the Vikings should not be overlooked. They are led by a savvy, veteran quarterback in Davis Alexander, who threw for over 3,400 and 30 touchdowns in 2019 and has 26 starts in his career for the Viks, and All-American safety Anthony Adams, who led the FCS with 24 passes defended (19 PBU’s and 5 INTs) in 2019.
It is important that Hawaii get off to a better start this week. The longer they allow the Vikings to hang in the game, the more difficult it will be to put them away. They cannot allow Portland State to build confidence and momentum. Those are recipes for an upset.
Can the Hawaii offense move the ball early?
Last week, the Warriors had a combined -3 yards after three offensive drives. Getting off to slow starts offensively has troubled the Warriors in the Todd Graham era and here’s to hoping that this week is a step in the right direction. The offense needs to find its rhythm and Cordiero needs to get on the same page with his receivers. This week, the offensive line should not be overwhelmed by the speed or power of the Vikings defensive front and they should be able to give Cordeiro time to throw. I’m hoping they can pick up a couple early first downs to build some much needed confidence.
Can Hawaii stop the run?
Based on what I saw from their one game in 2021 against Montana, the Vikings run a west coast version of the spread offense that uses pre-snap motion, read options and quick passes to attack the defense. After watching Hawaii’s film from last week you have to expect that they will try to test the Warriors run defense. Alexander is not the shiftiest runner, but he is tough as nails and he can make you pay on a read option keeper. The Vikings will start senior Malik Walker at running back and return three receivers who each had over 400 yards receiving in 2019.
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A Pacific Reunion
Hawaii linebackers coach Jacob Yoro and Portland State offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Matt Leunen were both part of the inaugural coaching staff at Oregon’s Pacific University back in 2010. PJ Minaya, an offensive graduate assistant for the Warriors, was a quarterback on that team.
Ideally, the Bows get out to an early and commanding lead, work on fixing mistakes in a game situation, get some reps for the back-ups and leave the field with a confident and healthy squad.
As always, let’s go ‘Bows!
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