Portland State to open season at Cal

Feb 2, 2013 - 11:25 AM Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The goal of winning a Big Sky Conference championship starts with California dreamin' for the Portland State football team.

The Vikings' first four games in September will be against schools from California.

The 11-game schedule starts in Berkeley on Sept. 7 when Portland State visits the Cal Bears. The Vikings also played at Cal in 2006, losing, 42-16.

Portland State will then play Division II Humboldt State in its home opener on Sept. 14 - the first of five games at JELD-WEN Field.

The Vikings next visit UC Davis on Sept. 21 and host Cal Poly on Sept. 27 in their first Big Sky game. The Cal Poly game is moved up to a Friday night matchup to accommodate a Portland Timbers game in the MLS on Sept. 29.

All of the remaining games are within the Big Sky, including home dates against North Dakota (Oct. 26), Weber State (Nov. 2) and Sacramento State (Nov. 16).

Portland State also will play Big Sky games on the road against Montana (Oct. 5), Southern Utah (Oct. 12), Idaho State (Nov. 9) and Eastern Washington (Nov. 23).

The Vikings are hoping to improve on a 3-8 record under coach Nigel Burton this past season.

2013 Portland State Football Schedule

Sept. 7, at California

Sept. 14, Humboldt State

Sept. 21, at UC Davis

Sept. 27, Cal Poly*

Oct. 5, at Montana*

Oct. 12, at Southern Utah*

Oct. 26, North Dakota*

Nov. 2, Weber State*

Nov. 9, at Idaho State*

Nov. 16, Sacramento State*

Nov. 23, at Eastern Washington*

* - Big Sky game