What Is 2016 Portland State Vikings football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Portland State Vikings football team represented Portland State University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 5–6 overall record under head coach Bruce Barnum. They competed in the Big Sky Conference and played home games at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.

Key Facts

The 2016 Portland State Vikings football team had a 5–6 overall record
They were 3–5 in Big Sky Conference play during the 2016 season
Head coach Bruce Barnum was in his second year leading the program
The team played home games at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon
Quarterback Kieran McDonagh started most games, throwing for 2,378 yards

Overview

The 2016 Portland State Vikings football team represented Portland State University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2016 season. Competing in the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings were led by second-year head coach Bruce Barnum and played their home games at Providence Park in downtown Portland, Oregon.

The team finished the season with a 5–6 overall record and a 3–5 mark in conference play, narrowly missing postseason qualification. Despite inconsistent results, the Vikings showed improvement in offensive production compared to previous seasons, particularly through the air with quarterback Kieran McDonagh at the helm.

Record: The Vikings finished the 2016 season with a 5–6 overall record and 3–5 in Big Sky Conference games, reflecting moderate improvement under second-year head coach Bruce Barnum.
Home Venue: Portland State played home games at Providence Park, a Major League Soccer stadium in Portland, Oregon, which has a capacity of over 25,000 for football games.
Head Coach: Bruce Barnum entered his second season in 2016 after taking over in 2015, aiming to rebuild the Vikings’ offensive identity with a pass-heavy scheme.
Quarterback: Kieran McDonagh started most games and threw for 2,378 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the team in total offense.
Key Game: A 42–21 victory over Northern Arizona in October stood out as the team’s most dominant performance of the season.

Season Performance

The 2016 campaign featured a mix of offensive promise and defensive inconsistency, with the Vikings scoring 27.5 points per game on average but allowing 33.8 per contest. Several close losses highlighted the team’s struggles to finish strong, particularly in conference matchups.

Offensive Output: Portland State averaged 27.5 points per game, ranking in the upper half of the Big Sky Conference in scoring offense.
Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed an average of 33.8 points per game, among the highest in the conference, due to lapses in pass coverage.
Rushing Attack: The team rushed for 1,642 total yards, led by running back Ryan Flanagan, who gained 587 yards on the season.
Passing Game: Kieran McDonagh completed 61.2% of his passes for 2,378 yards and 17 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
Turnover Margin: The Vikings had a negative turnover margin of –5, losing the ball more often than they forced takeaways.
Longest Win Streak: The team achieved a season-best two-game winning streak in October, defeating Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Portland State Vikings against select Big Sky Conference peers based on key performance metrics.

Team	Overall Record	Conf. Record	Pts/Game	Pts Allowed
Portland State	5–6	3–5	27.5	33.8
Eastern Washington	9–3	7–1	38.6	28.1
Montana	7–5	5–3	32.8	25.9
UC Davis	5–7	4–4	24.2	27.1
Idaho State	3–9	2–6	23.1	38.5

Portland State’s 2016 season placed them in the lower-middle tier of the Big Sky Conference. While they outperformed teams like Idaho State in wins, they lagged behind powerhouses such as Eastern Washington and Montana, who advanced deep into the FCS playoffs.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a transitional year for the Vikings, laying groundwork for future development under Bruce Barnum’s offensive system. Though not a postseason contender, the team demonstrated growth in quarterback development and offensive execution.

Program Development: The season helped establish Kieran McDonagh as a reliable starter, setting the stage for future offensive continuity in 2017.
Recruiting Momentum: Improved on-field performance contributed to stronger recruiting classes in subsequent years, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
Stadium Identity: Playing at Providence Park reinforced Portland State’s urban identity and provided high-visibility exposure for the program.
Conference Competitiveness: The 3–5 conference record showed the Vikings could compete but highlighted the need for defensive improvements.
Fan Engagement: Despite a losing record, attendance remained steady, indicating ongoing local support for FCS football in Portland.
Foundation for 2017: The experience gained in 2016 helped the team improve to 7–4 in 2017, marking a turning point in Barnum’s tenure.

The 2016 Portland State Vikings may not have achieved postseason success, but the season served as a critical step in the program’s rebuilding phase, balancing growing pains with tangible progress on both sides of the ball.