MOSCOW, Idaho — Lloyd Hightower returned a blocked punt 32 yards for a touchdown and Cade Coffey kicked two field goals to spark Idaho to a 20-7 victory over Portland State in Big Sky Conference play on Saturday.
Mason Petrino added 166 passing yards, including a 7-yard TD toss to Jeff Cotton, for the Vandals (2-2, 1-1). It was Idaho’s first Big Sky win since leaving the conference in 1995 to move up to the FBS ranks.
The Vandals’ defense dominated the first half, holding the Vikings (1-4, 0-2) to just 74 total yards in building a 20-0 halftime advantage.
Portland State didn’t get on the scoreboard until Davis Alexander hit Davis Koetter for a 10-yard score to cut its deficit to 13 with 8:36 left in the third quarter.