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Viking out to prove his strength

Bulkier Kavanaugh thinks he has enough arm to be in QB mix

By steve brandon

The Portland Tribune, Apr 15, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

L.E. BASKOW / TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Former Lincoln High QB Connor Kavanaugh is fourth on the depth chart entering his redshirt freshman season with Portland State.

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Connor Kavanaugh would give an arm and both legs to be Portland State’s starting quarterback.

And that’s about what it might take.

Kavanaugh, the all-stater from Lincoln High, enters his redshirt freshman season No. 4 on the PSU depth chart. In spring ball, which began Monday, he needs to impress coach Jerry Glanville and offensive coordinator Mouse Davis with his arm strength and, to a lesser degree, his ability to scramble out of trouble.

Kavanaugh says he’s ready.

“There’s no doubt in my mind I could step out there (in a game) and do some things,” he says.

Moving Lincoln’s offense in games was never a problem for him, but moving up the ladder in PSU practice is a big challenge. Kavanaugh spent last season running the scout team. That is typical duty for a new freshman, although his West Hall dorm roommate Drew Hubel, a 6-5, 195-pound rookie from Corvallis, got the call when two other QBs were injured and wound up passing for 1,470 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“The thing we were most concerned about with Connor was his arm strength,” Davis says. “He’s a great little athlete and a very bright guy. If he has the arm strength and accuracy, then he’s got a legitimate shot. He’s probably our most mobile quarterback, the guy with the most athletic ability with the football under his arm.”

Workouts added pounds

Kavanaugh says he is better equipped now, physically. He lists himself at 5-11 1/2, 185 pounds, 13 pounds heavier than a year ago.

“I’m a lot stronger and faster,” he says. “The workouts I’ve been doing the last six months are probably the hardest things I’ve done in my life, other than run the 400 meters in track (at Lincoln). I probably can bench-press 100 pounds more than when I got here. My arm has gotten a lot stronger. I don’t think size is a big factor anymore. If you can play the game, you can play the game.”

His knack for evading the rush and picking up a few yards on the run doesn’t hurt, although the most important thing in Davis’ run-and-shoot offense is the “shoot” – moving the ball downfield through the air.

The Vikings were a disappointing 3-8 in their first season with Glanville and Davis. Several factors were involved, just one of them being some struggles at scoring in the red zone. Kavanaugh’s dual threat might help in that area. “I can make some plays with my feet,” he says.

Because of his athletic ability, Kavanaugh probably could play a couple of other positions if quarterback doesn’t pan out. He says the coaches have talked to him about that possibility.

“Yeah, a few times, but I feel like I could play quarterback at this level,” he says. “But if they want to move me to receiver or whatever, so be it. I’m here to play football for Portland State.”