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Monday, September 4, 2000

Associated Press
Portland State Vikings quarterback Jimmy Blanchard
passes into the end zone for a touchdown during the
first half against Western Washington. Portland won
37-20 and will visit Hawaii for a Saturday game.

Portland State packs
a wallop in opener

Rolovich to start at QB
WAC teams hit hard
NFL Islanders

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Portland State opened the season with an easy 37-20 victory over Western Washington as the No. 12-rated Division I-AA Vikings prepare for a 3,000-mile trip across the Pacific Ocean.

Coaches like to say that the biggest improvement for the season is between the first and second games, a fact not lost on Warriors head coach June Jones.

"They will have the advantage of already playing one game," Jones said. "I was glad for the extra week to settle some things, but you never know how things are going to go in your opener."

Last year, Southern California routed Hawaii, 62-7, in Jones' first game as a Hawaii head coach. Not in his wildest imagination does he see a similar thing happening on Saturday night before an expected crowd of around 40,000.

Portland State quarterback Jimmy Blanchard shot past June Jones and Tim Von Dulm to fourth on the all-time Vikings list for passing yards with 6,204. Running back Charles Dunn is already first in career rushing with 4,374 yards to his credit.

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By Paul Arnett