Viking Football Has Four Named To Phil Steele/DraftScouts All-Big Sky Team

Senior defensive tackle EJ Ane highlighted four Portland State Football players named to the Phil Steele/DraftScout All-Big Sky Conference teams released today.

Ane was named first team All-Big Sky by Phil Steele/DraftScout. Earning second team was senior center Tyson Pauling. Senior wide receiver Mataio Talalemotu was a third team choice and senior wide receiver Beau Kelly was named to the fourth team.

Ane, a 6-2, 275-pound tackle from Killeen, TX, transferred to Portland State from San Jose State for his senior season in 2022. Ane was a big addition, starting all 11 games and ranking fifth on the team with 42 tackles. Ane led the Vikings with nine tackles for loss, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries. He was a second-team All-Big Sky Conference choice in a vote of league coaches.

Pauling, a 6-5, 295-pound center from Silverado, CA, has been a full-time starter on the offensive line for the past two seasons. He made 27 career starts, including his last 23 games in a row. Also a team captain, Pauling was an anchor on the line, for the team as a whole and a four-year letterwinner. Pauling was picked first team All-Conference by Big Sky coaches.

Talalemotu, a 6-1, 180-pound wide receiver from Beaverton (HS), OR, led the Vikings with 10 touchdowns in nine games played this season. He had 27 receptions for 482 yards and eight receiving touchdowns. Talalemotu also had two rushing touchdowns and 585 all-purpose yards. A team co-captain, Talalemotu had 34 career starts as a Viking, finishing 11th all-time at PSU in receptions (127), 11th in yards (2,008) and tied for seventh in receiving touchdowns (18). He was selected honorable mention All-Big Sky by league coaches.

Kelly, a 5-9, 170-pound receiver from Scottsdale, AZ, led the Vikings in receiving yards this season with 654 on 41 receptions. He had five touchdowns and 117 additional all-purpose yards. Kelly completes his career as one of the top receivers in school history with 156 receptions (4th all-time), 2,288 yards (5th), 18 touchdowns (t7th) and 292 punt return yards (7th). A four-year letterwinner and team captain, Kelly started 42 career games and the last 35 in a row. He was named second team All-Big Sky for the second year in a row.

The Phil Steele/DraftScout All-Big Sky Conference team (PDF)

PORTLAND STATE’S POST-SEASON HONORS (through Dec. 9)

All-Big Sky Conference
1st team      Tyson Pauling, OL
2nd team     Beau Kelly, WR
3rd team     EJ Ane, DT
3rd team     Xavier Bell, S
HM              VJ Malo, DE
HM              Mataio Talalemotu, WR
HM              Anthony Rodriguez, TE
HM              Emmanuel Daigbe, AP

College Sports Communicators Academic All-District VIII
Mataio Talalemotu, WR
Nate Bennett, WR
Gianni Smith, K

Phil Steele/DraftScout All-Big Sky Conference Team
1st team        EJ Ane, DT
2nd team       Tyson Pauling, OL
3rd team        Mataio Talalemotu, WR
4th team        Beau Kelly, WR

The Bluebloods All-Big Sky Conference Team
2nd team       EJ Ane, DT