For their last road game of the 2026-27 regular season, the Southern Utah University men’s football team will travel to take on Portland State University on Friday, Nov. 13, at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Ore. Kickoff will be at 8 p.m. and will be available to watch on ESPN+.
Southern Utah is coming off a win against the University of Northern Colorado and is now 4-6 overall with a 3-4 conference record. The Thunderbirds snapped a two-game losing streak last week and are looking to end the season with an even record.
The Vikings are 2-8 overall and 2-5 in conference play. They are currently on a 4-game losing streak, most recently losing to the No. 12-ranked University of Montana by 33 points.
The Vikings currently hold an 11-4 advantage in the all-time series over SUU. The teams’ most recent meeting was in 2021, and PSU came out on top, winning 20-13. The Thunderbirds haven’t defeated Portland for over a decade, last winning in September 2016.
Southern Utah
Senior running back Floyd Chalk continues to be a driving force for the Southern Utah offense. On 218 carries, he’s notched 1,289 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Chalk had 66 yards in their game against the University of Northern Colorado, which put him No. 8 all-time in single-game rushing yards for SUU.
Will Burns continues to be a dual threat against defenses. He’s notched almost 1,000 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing for over 1,800 yards and 14 scores on 158 completions. His combination of total yards put him No. 9 in program history with 2,791.
Tight end Joshua Acord has been the favorite target for Burns, leading the team in both receptions and touchdowns. He’s hauled in 35 catches with seven touchdowns. Receiver Mark Bails continues to make big plays for Southern Utah as well, leading the team in receiving yards with 517 and averaging over 20 yards per reception with four touchdowns.
Parker Vance is a defensive force, leading the team in tackles with 83 while also leading in interceptions with six. That’s including the interception that sealed the victory against UNC.
Vance has also returned one interception for a score, the only defensive score for the Thunderbirds. Defensive end Aiden Hall leads the team in sacks with two and a half and has forced two fumbles.
Portland State
The Vikings have cycled through three quarterbacks this season. Gabe Downing has been the most efficient, throwing for 927 yards on 92-for-158 passing with five touchdowns in six starts. Tyrese Smith is second with 729 yards on 67-for-112 passing, but he also has four rushing scores.
The third Viking field general, John-Keawe Sagapolutele, has made four appearances with three touchdowns and 442 yards.
Delon Thompson leads PSU’s ground game with 737 yards on 157 carries with five touchdowns. Receiver Terence Loville leads PSU in catches and receiving yards, recording 55 catches for 776 yards and four scores.
Tight end Tanner Beaman is second on the team in receptions and yards with 36 receptions and 431 yards with three touchdowns.
Jaxton Helmstetler leads the Vikings in tackles with 85 and sacks with two. Helmstetler also had an interception, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries against Montana. Marcellous Ryan leads Portland State in interceptions with three, and he also has five pass break ups.
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Author: Andrew Streeter
Photo by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
sports@suunews.net