ATLANTA — Idaho’s defense created four takeaways and the offense had its most prolific outing in more than a month as the Vandals closed the season — and its 22-year stay in the Football Bowl Subdivision — with a 24-10 win Saturday at Georgia State before 14,163 at Georgia State Stadium.

Idaho (4-8, 3-5 Sun Belt) shut out the Panthers (6-5, 5-3) in the second half, allowing GSU just 132 yards of total offense after intermission.

“It was great for the seniors,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “They’re a bunch of great guys that give a lot to this program. I’m super happy for them to go out on this note, and proud for all their teammates that made sure they got to have their last game as a Vandal with a win.”

Senior running back Aaron Duckworth rushed for 113 yards in his final collegiate game, cracking the 1,000-yard plateau for the season. Duckworth ripped off two big runs on consecutive plays late in the third quarter to set up Idaho’s game-sealing score. His 16-yard carry pushed the Vandals near midfield, followed immediately by a 44-yard scamper to put Idaho on the doorstep.

Duckworth’s backfield mate Isaiah Saunders scored from 2 yards out on the second play of the fourth quarter to give Idaho a 24-10 lead. Saunders finished with 61 yards on 14 carries to go with his second score of the season.

GSU scored on its first drive, marching 57 yards on four plays. The Vandals responded immediately behind true freshman quarterback Colton Richardson from Lewiston High. Making his first start, Richardson took the Vandals 75 yards in five plays on the second drive of the day to answer the Panthers’ early score. Richardson was 4 for 4 for 74 yards in the drive before Duckworth dove in from a yard out for the score.

Richardson finished the game 16 of 30 for 228 yards and a touchdown. He hit Alfonso Onunwor for a score in the second quarter to put the Vandals on top 14-7. They would not trail again. Onunwor caught a quick pass along the sideline, made one man miss and outran the defense for a 65-yard touchdown, the longest scoring play of the year for Idaho.

The touchdown capitalized on Jalen Hoover’s interception deep in Idaho’s own territory. Hoover also recovered a fumble in the third quarter, becoming the first Vandal with two takeaways in one game this season.

Tony Lashley led the defensive effort with a career-high-tying 16 tackles, including two-and-a-half for loss. Lashley reached 16 tackles three times this season, including each of the last two games. He finished the season with 123 tackles, the most by a Vandal since 2007.

The Vandals went into the half with a 14-10 lead and kept the momentum out of the locker room. Tevin Duke forced and recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, setting up an eventual Cade Coffey 36-yard field goal to make it a touchdown advantage.

Georgia State drove into the red zone five times, but Idaho’s defense limited them to just one touchdown and one field goal on those trips.

The Vandals finished with a win weeks after their hopes of becoming bowl eligible for a second straight season were dashed.

“I give a lot of credit to our assistant coaches and our leaders,” Petrino said. “They busted their butt every game. Our guys showed up to practice every week, grinded every week, worked hard every week. As far as attitude, effort, character and people, it’s a great group of kids, and they’ll all end up being winners because they grinded every game no matter the outcome.”

Georgia State outgained Idaho 435 to 375 in total yards but lost three fumbles and threw an interception. Conner Manning led the Panthers, throwing for 271 yards.

The 14-point win marked Idaho’s first Sun Belt game this season decided by more than eight points. The Vandals played a school-record seven one-possession games, including five conference losses by a combined 24 points.

“They’re going to enjoy it for a little bit, but they’re going to need to get ready for their finals,” Petrino said of the win. “They have a big week of finals and we’ll have a big recruiting weekend next weekend. Right now, it’s all about school and recruiting. I won’t even go home; I’ll leave right from here to go recruiting. So, it’s just all about next year, and building for the future, and making sure our seniors graduate by doing the best they can. And our young guys getting good grades, grinding and being the best that we can be.”

In 22 seasons in the former NCAA Division I, Idaho posted a record of 86-174, employed six head coaches, and played in three bowl games, winning all three.

The Vandals return to the Big Sky Conference next year for the first time since 1995.

Idaho 7 7 3 7 — 24

Georgia St. 7 3 0 0 — 10

First Quarter

GST—Smith 14 run (Wright kick), 10:33.

IDA—Duckworth 1 run (Coffey kick), 8:53.

Second Quarter

IDA—Onunwor 65 pass from Richardson (Coffey kick), 11:52.

GST—FG 28 Wright, 5:11.

Third Quarter

IDA—FG 36 Coffey, 13:31.

Fourth Quarter

IDA—Saunders 2 run (Coffey kick), 14:25.

A—14,163.

IDA GST

First downs 18 26

Rushes-yards 40-147 39-164

Passing 228 271

Comp-Att-Int 16-30-0 27-45-1

Return Yards 44 49

Punts-Avg. 7-0.0 6-0.0

Fumbles-Lost 1-0 4-3

Penalties-Yards 5-37 2-20

Time of Possession 29:50 30:05

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Idaho, A.Duckworth 19-113, Saunders 14-61, (Team) 1-(minus 10), C.Richardson 6-(minus 17). Georgia St., G.Smith 18-79, Gentry 5-43, Kirk 4-18, Middleton 1-11, Manning 10-11, T.Barnett 1-2.

PASSING—Idaho, C.Richardson 16-30-0-228. Georgia St., Manning 27-44-0-271, G.Smith 0-1-1-0.

RECEIVING—Idaho, Sannon 5-49, Ungerer 5-45, Onunwor 4-100, K.Elliss 1-34, A.Duckworth 1-0. Georgia St., T.Jones 6-82, G.Smith 6-39, Ifedi 5-30, Hart 3-72, T.Barnett 3-9, Werts 2-7, Gentry 1-25, Boyd 1-7.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.