Portland State Vikings Adjusting to Modified Spring Football Schedule
Portland State is one of three Big Sky Conference schools that will take part in a modified spring football schedule in 2021. PSU, Montana and Montana State will not compete in Big Sky Conference games or the FCS post-season during the spring. Portland State will be open to participating in up to two games in April.
Last fall, 2019 Big Sky Conference co-champion Sacramento State announced that it opted out of the 2021 spring season.
The Big Sky Conference has built a 2021 six-game spring schedule for all participating teams. Nine of 13 programs are still planning to participate in league play at this time.
“With the uncertainty of the football season, we have determined this is the best course of action for our program this spring,” said Director of Athletics Valerie Cleary.
“We have been out of competition and practice for nearly a year and to get our team ready by a scheduled Feb. 27 game doesn’t make sense,” said Viking Head Coach Bruce Barnum. “Playing potential games in April and preparing for the 2021 season makes more sense for the safety of our team.”
Portland State begins its football conditioning program next week. It will be the first time since last March the team has held formal workouts. Anticipated on-field practice would begin in two to three weeks pending results of medical evaluation. Potential games would take place in April.
In September, the NCAA extended student-athletes’ eligibility by a year, making players who participate in the modified spring season eligible to compete in the fall 2021 season as well.
Portland State will open its 2021 season on Sept. 4 at the University of Hawai’i.
Portland State backs out of Big Sky football season… could play two games in April. Story via @BlazerFreeman here: https://t.co/J0lKkuab3O
— John Canzano (@johncanzanobft) January 15, 2021
