PORTLAND — Jerry Glanville is off to a bumpy start as Portland State’s new head coach.

The Vikings got thumped 35-12 by McNeese State in Louisiana last weekend. To make matters worse, Glanville lost quarterback Tygue Howland and fullback Bobby McClintock, a former Marshfield standout, to injuries.

The coach is understandably hoping for improvement when Portland State hosts UC Davis for its home opener at PGE Park on Saturday night.

Howland, a sophomore, injured his left foot and will need surgery. He had completed 12 of 24 passes for 126 yards against McNeese State before he was injured.

Senior Brian White, who transferred from Colorado last season, will take over at quarterback.

McClintock tore ligaments in his right knee that will require surgery.

“I was very disappointed to lose two guys of that caliber, but it’s a tough, cruel game,” Glanville said. “I think Bobby might have been our best offensive player.”

The fullback was a first-team all-league pick in the Big Sky Conference last year and the team’s leading rusher and receiver in the game when he was hurt.

Glanville, a former NFL coach for the Houston Oilers and the Atlanta Falcons, was hired in February to take over the Vikings after coach Tim Walsh took the offensive coordinator’s job at Army. Glanville was defensive coordinator at Hawaii for the past two seasons.

With his colorful personality, Glanville has created a buzz around the Vikings. They’ve already sold 3,966 season tickets, well above some 1,000 sold last season.

Saturday’s game will also be the return home of Mouse Davis, Glanville’s offensive coordinator, who was head coach of the Vikings from 1970-80.

Glanville and Davis brought back the run-and-shoot offense, along with a 3-4 defense, but against McNeese State the Vikings had trouble.

All 12 of Portland State’s points were on field goals by Chris Chalmers. The Cowboys held Portland State to minus-10 yards rushing.

The Aggies also lost their opener, 28-21, to Western Washington. But freshman running back Joe Trombetta ran for 189 yards and a touchdown. He also had five catches for 86 yards.

Portland State has won six straight in the series against UC Davis, and five in a row in Portland.