McDonagh keeps battling for Portland State QB job

Kieran McDonagh’s football career at Portland State has been a battle.

For the fourth consecutive year, the senior from Skyview High School was in a position battle to be the team’s starting quarterback.

But for the first time to start a season, he came up short. McDonagh will back up junior Alex Kuresa when Portland State opens its season against Washington State on Saturday.

“I’ll do whatever the coaches ask of me,” McDonagh said. “It’s a little tough here and there when the reps are different. I just worry about what I can control.”

McDonagh started all 11 games as a true freshman, throwing for 2,187 yards and becoming one of 20 finalists for the Jerry Rice National Freshman of the Year Award.

But turnovers and injuries plagued McDonagh the past two seasons, both of which saw him lose his starting job by the end. He threw 13 interceptions to 12 touchdowns last season, which Portland State finished 3-9.

“I always talk to Kieran because there has been some frustration during his stay here,” head coach Bruce Barnum said. “I preach, and he’s probably the prime example, we’re getting a guy ready for 40 years not four. He’s had some adversity and he’s going to see this in life. That’s getting a little deep, but that’s the atmosphere and culture we’re trying to represent.

“He has handled it well.”