I was The Oregonian’s Portland State beat writer in 1992, when the Vikings were supposed to go to Boise State, take a beating, get on their bus and trundle back back to the Park Blocks.

Boise State was a powerhouse in the FCS, then known as Division I-AA, just two seasons removed from playing in the national semifinals. PSU was a scrappy bunch of Division II renegades coached by the freewheeling Pokey Allen.

Things didn’t go as expected. The Vikings not only won, they embarrassed Boise State 51-26. It wasn’t that close.

Every time you looked up another PSU tight end was running free in the Broncos’ secondary, and Division II All-America quarterback John Charles was hitting him in stride. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more stunned home crowd.

The Broncos never recovered from the loss. Coach Skip Hall resigned at the end of the season and Boise State replaced him with Allen and his entire PSU staff.

In Allen’s second season in Boise, he led the Broncos to the I-AA national title game. Before dying tragically young of cancer in 1996, Allen had Boise State headed for the major college level. The rest, as they say, is history.

I bring this up because Portland State is again headed to Boise State (7:15 p.m. Saturday, TV on ESPN2), where the Vikings again are supposed to be a breather on the Broncos’ schedule.

If they need a pep talk, well, much of the coaching staff on the PSU sideline in 1992 is still around. If current coach Bruce Barnum needs a phone number for say, offensive coordinator Al Borges or defensive coordinator Tom Mason, he should give me a ring.

OK, links:

Saturday night’s game at Boise State is personal for Portland State defensive tackle Kenton Bartlett.

The O’s John Canzano: Did Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith get the half-game suspensions right, or did he pull his punch?

OSU tackle Gus Lavaka takes responsibility for losing his cool after the game at Hawaii, and apologizes.

OSU receiver Isaiah Hodgins tells Canzano’s radio audience he would sign an autograph for a fan wearing Oregon Ducks’ gear -- probably.

The Beavers want to show their offensiveless second half at Hawaii was aberration.

OSU turns the page from a disappointing loss at Hawaii and prepares for FCS Cal Poly.

Beavers try to shake off the Hawaii game.

Dave Bartoo of College Football Matrix insists the Oregon Ducks are still in the playoff picture in a radio interview with Canzano.

It’s too early to draw lasting conclusions, but the new Oregon defense is off to an encouraging start. (The Athletic)

Ducks hope to get the running game in gear against Montana.

Oregon receiver Bryan Addison shrugs off a dropped pass to snag a TD.

UO coach Mario Cristobal praises the performance of back-up QB Tyler Shough against Nevada.

Oregon’s blow-out victory last week allowed the backup offensive linemen to get game experience.

The Ducks suddenly are frighteningly thin at kicker.

Ten numbers to know heading into Oregon’s non-conference game Saturday with FCS Montana.

Writing for Sports Illustrated, Michael McCann breaks down the potential ramifications if California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs the Fair Play Act into law.

NCAA says the California bill is ‘unconstitutional.’

The Merc’s Jon Wilner: Arizona and Arizona State have the Pac-12′s most night games. (Of course, they should.)

The Pac-12 could have more neutral-site, non-conference opportunities against the SEC.

Andy Staples of the Athletic says he knows the perfect candidate to be USC’s next athletic director.

Pat Forde of Yahoo: The Trojans could get this right -- but only if they get over themselves.

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com: USC must put the past aside and look to future.

USC coach Clay Helton addresses the departure of athletic director Lynn Swann.

Freshman Drake London learns from the Trojans’ deep corp of receivers.

The beginning of the Mike Leach coaching tree can be seen on his first Texas Tech team. (The Athletic)

Houston coach Dana Holgorsen wasn’t in on the ground floor of the Air Raid offense, but he was just outside the front door.

Washington’s defense played well against Cal -- except for a few big plays. (The Athletic)

Now the UW defense must deal with Hawaii’s ‘unique’ run-and-shoot.

Utah has been a good, second-half team so far in 2019.

Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello is back in the saddle, but this week’s challenge is no easier.

Costello returns but Stanford loses cornerstone tackle Walker Little for the season.

Central Florida wants to make a case for the playoff against Stanford.

Arizona players rally around embattled defensive coordinator Marcel Yates.

Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin wants his team to clean up the second-half slop.

With Air Force looming, Colorado coach Mel Tucker knows there can’t be a letdown.

Tucker has brought the ‘cool’ factor to the Buffaloes.

Arizona State secondary coach Tony White talks to The Athletic’s Doug Haller about his players, his philosophy and himself.

ASU receiver Kobe Williams is proving the doubters wrong.

Undersized North Texas quarterback will be a big problem for Cal’s defense.

Utah’s ‘other’ defensive lineman makes a name for himself.

UCLA Bruins call a players-only meeting.

-- Ken Goe

kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe

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