HILLSBORO, Ore. — Four turnovers were too much to overcome as the Idaho Vandals were shut out for the first time in six seasons Saturday, losing 24-0 to Portland State in Big Sky Conference football before 4,675 at Hillsboro Stadium.

Mason Petrino and Colton Richardson threw two picks each for Idaho (2-5, 0-3 Big Sky). The offense struggled to get going all game, finishing with just 236 total yards of offense.

“We just didn’t play very good on offense, that’s the bottom line,” Idaho coach Paul Petrino said. “I’m not sure if we played well anywhere on offense. You can’t turn the ball over, you got to run block better, got to pass protect better, got to run better, got to run routes better, got to catch the ball better, got to coach better ... “

Neither team could get much going in the first half and headed into the break in a scoreless tie.

Deon Crayon’s interception of a Mason Petrino pass early in the third quarter set up the Vikings (4-3, 2-1) for the game’s first score, a 38-yard field goal by Cody Williams. After Crayon’s interception at the Idaho 23 the Vikings gained 1 yard and settled for the field goal with 11:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Portland State added a touchdown on a 21-yard rush by quarterback Davis Alexander, to go up 10-0 after three.

Alexander threw 28 yards to Davis Koetter and 21 yards to Emmanuel Daigbe for fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Alexander was the game’s leading passer, with 167 yards, and leading rusher, with 91 yards.

Cutrell Haywood led Idaho with six catches for 56 yards. Dylan Thigpen put up career-highs of 10 carries and 42 yards on the ground. Christian Elliss led Idaho with 14 tackles, a new career-high.

Petrino and Richardson combined to go 13 of 29 with 156 yards and the four interceptions.

Paul Petrino said he inserted Richardson, the former Lewiston High star, at quarterback “trying to give us a spark. He still has two games he can play in and still redshirt. But the bottom line is you’ve got to catch the ball and you have to pass protect and you have to do all the other things.”

The Vandals managed just 113 yards in the second half, 45 of which came on their final possession that ended in an interception on a Hail Mary pass.

The shutout was the first for Idaho since Sept. 21, 2013, when Idaho lost at Washington State, 42-0.

Portland St. 24, Idaho 0

Idaho 0 0 0 0 — 0

Portland St. 0 0 10 14 — 24

Third Quarter

PRST—FG Williams 38, 11:36.

PRST—Alexander 21 run (Williams kick), 5:35.

Fourth Quarter

PRST—Koetter 28 pass from Alexander (Williams kick), 10:51.

PRST—Daigbe 21 pass from Alexander (Williams kick), 1:21.

IDHO PRST

First downs 15 20

Rushes-yards 33-80 45-181

Passing 156 167

Comp-Att-Int 13-29-4 13-26-0

Return Yards 112 9

Punts-Avg. 5-39.8 4-41.5

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-1

Penalty-Yards 7-72 8-61

Time of Possession 25:55 34:05

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Idaho, D. Thigpen 10-42, N. Romano 12-32, C. Richardson 7-16, M. Petrino 4-(minus 10). Portland St., D. Alexander 11-91, S. Hoffman 19-50, M. Walker 10-28, J. Chatman 4-8, E. Holtz 1-4.

PASSING—Idaho, C. Richardson 5-14-2-86, M. Petrino 8-15-2-70. Portland St., D. Alexander 13-26-0-167.

RECEIVING—Idaho, C. Haywood 6-56, L. Kendall 2-39, H. Hatten 1-29, J. Boston 2-14, D. Lee 1-12, C. Whitney 1-6. Portland St., D. Koetter 3-56, B. Kelly 2-22, E. Daigbe 1-21, M. Walker 1-19, S. Hoffman 2-17, C. Taumoepeau 2-17, J. Davis 1-10, J. Bystry 1-5.