One of the best things Portland State does, Idaho coach Paul Petrino said, is have its quarterback scramble around and make plays.

So far this season, Vikings junior quarterback Davis Alexander is second on the team in rushing with 341 gross yards and two touchdowns.

He’s also thrown for 1,402 yards and 12 touchdowns, with three interceptions.

“He does a great job breaking contain,” said Petrino, whose Vandals (2-4, 0-2 Big Sky Conference) play Portland State (3-3, 1-1) today at 2 p.m. at Hillsboro Stadium. “We’ve got to do a good job at ‘plaster.’ We call it plaster — when we have broken plays, guys have get to their guys and stay on them.”

In 19 career starts, Alexander has passed for 28 TDs with 12 interceptions, and rushed for 16 TDs.

After missing two games with hamstring tightness, Portland State All-American tight end Charlie Taumoepeau had seven receptions for 104 yards in a loss at Idaho State.

For the season, he’s third on the team with 18 catches, for 222 yards and a touchdown.

“He’s one of the better tight ends in the country,” Petrino said. “They play him both as a tight end and out wide as a receiver.”

Last year, Idaho muscled past Portland State 20-7, winning the time of possession game, and keeping the quarterback contained.

Alexander completed 12 of 21 passes for 133 yards, and threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter after Idaho had taken a 20-0 lead. Taumoepeau had three catches for 44 yards.

Portland State is second in the Big Sky in rushing defense, allowing 100 yards per game on the ground. The Vikings lead the Big Sky in total defense, allowing 342 yards per game.