Team Overview
Portland State finished the 2024 season with a 3–8 overall record, going 3–5 in the Big Sky Conference.
Offensive Overview
The offense averaged 29.3 points per game and 393 yards of offense per game, which ranked 36th in the FCS. PSU lost offensive coordinator AC Patterson to Sacramento State after the 2024 season. Matt Leunen was elevated to offensive coordinator while retaining his role as offensive line coach. He enters his 14th year with Portland State but his first as a coordinator.
Quarterback
The offense in 2024 was led by three-year starter and sixth-year senior QB Dante Chachere, a dual-threat quarterback who leaves big shoes to fill. The QB competition in camp went down to the wire, with five players battling for the starting job. Gabe Downing earned the start against Tarleton State but was pulled after throwing two interceptions. Tyrese Smith and John-Keawe Sagapolutele split snaps the rest of the way with similar results. The QB picture was murky coming out of camp, and unfortunately for PSU, the opener didn’t clear things up. Chances are Downing or Sagapolutele will get the nod vs. BYU, but don’t be surprised if senior transfer CJ Jordan also sees action.
Wide Receiver
PSU has a veteran group of receivers to help ease the QB transition, led by Branden Alvarez (Sr.), who posted 36 receptions for 480 yards and 5 TDs in 2024. They also return Eric Denham (So.) with a 35-516-3 stat line and Jaylen Lynch (Jr.) with 16-246. In addition, they expect Terence Loville (Jr.) back; he was projected to start in 2024 but missed the season with a hand injury. Alvarez was the go-to target vs Tarleton State, tallying six receptions for 72 yards.
Running Back
PSU expects RB Delon Thompson to be a focal point of the offense. In 2024, he rushed for 678 yards and 7 TDs, while adding 87 receiving yards. He began the season as a backup but took over when Quincy Craig was injured after six games. With Craig now at Arizona, Thompson enters 2025 as RB1.
Offensive Line
The offensive line projects as the strength of the offense, led by senior tackles Pedro Timoteo (6-4, 320) and Jakob Belton (6-7, 320). The interior features competition for starting spots, highlighted by redshirt freshman guards Pule Leatigaga (6-4, 335) and Shaun Torgeson (6-4, 290), who combined for eight games and six starts in 2024 while preserving redshirts. Three transfers were also added to bolster depth. The staff feels confident in the group’s depth and versatility.
Defensive Overview
The defense surrendered 40 points and 527 yards per game in 2024, ranking 119th in the FCS. To put it bluntly, only four other FCS teams gave up more points. The unit was overhauled in the offseason. After demoting their defensive coordinator five games into 2024, Bryant Thomas took over and now enters his first full season in charge.
Defensive Line
The clear strength of the defense. Ten players along the DL saw action in 2024, while three preserved redshirts and two transfers were added. Senior DT J’Querian Ladson regained a year of eligibility from the NCAA after playing junior college ball and is the favorite to start at nose tackle. He joins a group that includes five other seniors and juniors with extensive experience.
Linebacker
PSU lost both starting linebackers to the transfer portal in 2024. Returning are juniors Davin Beason (6-1, 235) and Jaxston Helmstetler (6-2, 220), who primarily served as backups last season but saw occasional starts due to injuries. They are expected to take on larger roles. Nevada transfer Aeden Seiuli (Spanish Fork HS) and JC transfer Lonnie Burt are also key additions. Burt recorded 10 tackles (0.5 TFL) against Tarleton State, while Seiuli added 2 tackles (1.0 TFL).
Defensive Back
PSU returns three sophomores with experience. FS Isaiah Green (50 tackles, 3 PBU, 1 INT) and CB Bryson Ross (19 tackles, 3 PBU) ended 2024 as starters. They also add six redshirts (five freshmen, one junior) and two transfers: Boise State’s Dionte Thornton (So., 6-0, 205) and Sacramento State’s Jerome Roberts (5-10, 210). In Week 0, Green (7 tackles) and Pierce Walker (5 tackles, 1 PBU) stood out, though Tarleton State QB Victor Gabalis still went 14-24 for 152 yards and a TD.
Prediction
This game serves as a tune-up for BYU. Expect them to keep the playbook simple and focus on giving reps to their new true freshman starting QB. BYU will look to establish the run early and control both lines of scrimmage. Tarleton State ran 38 times and threw 25 times, expect BYU to employ a similar run-pass balance. This one is over by the end of the first quarter, however BYU doesn’t cover the spread.Final Score Prediction
BYU 42 – PSU 3
