Miles Jackson has been a key tool in more ways than one for the Montana State defense this season and he’s going back to a place where he did even more than that when he – literally – returns to the place where he played his prep football and led his team to the state championship.
The homefield of the Portland State Vikings is Hillsboro Stadium and when Jackson was a senior at Central Catholic High School he played running back, defensive back and returned kicks for the Rams.
Hillsboro Stadium, by most accounts, is more akin to a high school stadium, such as Jackson enjoyed, than it is a college football venue.
“That’s where we played all our home games,” Jackson said of the stadium that is not looked up too fondly by MSU or many Big Sky Conference teams. “We played the state championship there and I played a ton of games there.
“I’ll let (MSU teammates) know that it’s not going to be packed out. That we’ll have more fans than they do, but we need to bring our own energy and don’t take that team lightly. It won’t be a full stadium, but we’ll still have the support we need.”
Jackson would bust a 71-yard touchdown run early in the game to help spring CCHS to a 49-28 win over Lake Oswego in the Oregon 6A state title game. His teammate and fellow Bobcat, Elijah Elliott, was on that team as well. Jackson would finish with 79 yards on six carries, while Elliott did the bulk of the work from the backfield with 90 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.
Elliott, like several other Bobcats, has been off the field due to injury. Jackson has been a mainstay and big reason why MSU is one of the top defensive units in the Big Sky Conference in 2024.
Despite the strange rep Hillsboro receives, Jackson is still excited to be going back to Portland and play in front of family and friends.
“Always a good time being able to go back home,” he said. “I know I have a lot of family support when I go home. Probably need at least 20 tickets for everyone.”
When an injury to Dru Polidore this spring forced Caden Dowler to safety, Jackson stepped in at nickelback full-time for Dowler, who he was set to split time with. Jackson is doing more than just covering the vacancy, nor is he new to covering for ailing teammates.
After starting his MSU career as a cornerback, Jackson was forced into the nickel slot in 2023 when both Dowler and Level Price, Jr., who were splitting time there were forced out by injuries. Jackson immediately made an impact when he broke up pass at a key moment of the MSU at Sacramento State game and it was intercepted by Rylan Ortt. Price, Jr. would return but Jackson would continue to get significant reps.
This year Jackson was expected to give Dowler breathers, but with Dowler moved to safety for Polidore, he’s started every game and has 13 tackles, two tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
“It creates versatility and depth,” Jackson said. “Being able to learn corner and nickel I got a greater understanding of what the whole defense is doing. I feel like it’s translated well for all of us.”
With his development, Jackson has been able to see the entire defense grow as well.
“Big emphasis going into this season was making sure we were tackling the ball and running to the ball,” he said. “Last season that was something that cost us at times and we’ve improved on that, and we want to keep that going.”
After putting a lot of time at nickel in 2023 and getting full repetitions during spring and fall camps, Jackson feels much smoother and is more relaxed this season.
“Understanding the overall defense and playbook,” Jackson said are the keys. “Last year it was tougher because it was midseason, and I really didn’t have those banked reps at nickel. Coming into this season I’m super-prepared. I know all the gap fits and know how to coach guys on the field. I don’t just know what I’m doing, but we all know what we’re doing.”
Jackson’s position coach is MSU legend and former linebacker Jody Owens, who Jackson credits with getting the most of himself and his teammates.
“(Owens) is a great motivator,” Jackson said. “Pushes us to be our best. Doesn’t let us accept just being good we have to be great every day.”
MSU is coming off its biggest win of the season after dominating Idaho in a 38-7 win that served as a bit of revenge for the Bobcats, who suffered a narrow and season-changing 24-21 loss to the Vandals in 2023 in a game that saw them squander several opportunities.
“That was one of the games we had circled from last year,” Jackson said. “We knew we’d have to bring it and keep our foot on the gas pedal. All week I just felt we were super-prepared at practice. The mentality we had from that loss from last year was big. We for sure held onto that. I could see from the looks in everybody’s eyes and it transferred well to the game.”
Despite the big win, Jackson knows all too well that the Bobcats can’t take their collective eye off the prize.
“We can’t take anything lightly,” he said. “The Big Sky right now is kind of a mishmash in that you don’t know where everybody is at. We need to play 100 percent and put the pedal to the metal. One game at a time; don’t overlook any team. Every team is good in this league, and we need to keep that mindset that it’s a one game season.”
The Bobcats continue focusing on Portland State as they prepare for their trip and the unique setting that is Hillsboro Stadium. Game time is set for 2:00 on Saturday.
