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Moscow, ID - This was not the usual Big Sky Conference football game. You could tell by the score. But that didn't make it any less painful as Portland State lost at Idaho, 20-7.

Idaho controlled time of possession early, put up just enough points, then withstood PSU's second-half rally. With the win, Idaho improved to 2-2 overall, 1-1 in the Big Sky. The Vikings fall to 1-4, 0-2.

The Vandals totaled only 289 yards in the game, but kicked field goals when they were stopped and had one big play on special teams. Portland State held Idaho to less than 100 yards in the second half.

"You have to be happy with that," said Viking Coach Bruce Barnum of his defense. "They battled and fought and held them to field goals. It was good to see that."

The Vikings had 261 yards of offense and did not turn the football over. However, they battled poor field position the entire game and were only able to sustain one drive of over 50 yards.

Idaho put together two long drives in the first half running a total of 31 plays in those series. But the Vikings got key stops both times, forcing field goals. Cade Coffey kicked field goals of 29 and 44 yards to give the Vandals a 6-0 lead at the 13:13 mark of the second quarter. At that point, Portland State had run just eight plays in one series.

The Vandal defense buckled down and forced a quick three-and-out by the Vikings. They gained excellent field position after a Viking punt. That led to a six-play, 53-yard drive resulting in a seven-yard touchdowns pass from Mason Petrino to Jeff Cotton.

"We had some three-and-outs in the second quarter (offensively) that put us in some bad spots," said Barnum.

Idaho then used a big special teams play to take control of the game. A Ben Niesner punt was blocked on the next series. Idaho's Lloyd Hightower picked up the loose ball and ran it in from 32 yards. That allowed the Vandals to go to the halftime locker room leading 20-0.

Idaho's time of possession limited PSU to only 23 first-half plays and 74 yards. That Vandals ran 40 plays for 198 yards.

"They used the majority of the first quarter and a lot of the first half. It didn't result in a lot of points so I still felt like we had great chance coming out of the gate in the second half," Barnum said.

Portland State's offense came alive and took advantage of a big break on the opening drive of the second half. On the first play of the series, running back Sirgeo Hoffman burst through the left side of the offensive line for a decent gain but was stripped of the football. Charlie Taumoepeau was in the right spot though as the ball bounced up to him and he took it ahead another 16 yards for a first down. The second key play also involved Taumoepeau as he caught a quick out pass on fourth and two and took it ahead for 14 yards and a first down. The Vikings finally found the end zone when Alexander sprinted out of the pocket right and found a sliding Davis Koetter in the back right corner of the end zone on a 10-yard score. That cut the Viking deficit to 20-7. 

When the defense got a quick three-and-out, PSU was back in business. This time Jalani Eason took the controls at quarterback, and rushed for 52 yards on five carries in a march down the field. But a running game loss, followed by a sack of Eason halted things. When Cody Williams 49-yard field goal attempt went wide right, PSU's last realistic scoring chance was over.

Alexander completed 12-21 passes for 133 yards and the one touchdown. Eason led the running game with 45 net yards. 

The Vandals got 99 rushing yards from Isaiah Saunders. Petrino completed 17-24 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Linebacker Kasun Jackett led the Vikings with 12 tackles, two for losses and one interception. The Vikings totaled three sacks and got an interception from Artuz Manning. Romeo Gunt added eight stops, 2.5 for losses, a sack and a forced fumble.

GAME NOTES: The teams were playing for the first time in 21 years and the first time ever as Big Sky Conference opponents… The Vikings are on the road again next week, facing nationally-ranked Montana in Missoula.