MOSCOW, Idaho -- Ryan Mathews ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns as Fresno State defeated Idaho 31-21 on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1 Western Athletic Conference) raced out to a 24-0 first-half lead before holding off a late surge by the Vandals (7-3, 4-2).
Idaho's Brian Reader, who started in place of Nate Enderle who has an injured rotator cuff, threw for 239 yards and two scores and also ran for a TD. Enderle is day to day.
Mathews' 1-yard touchdown run with 1:07 left before halftime put Fresno State up 24-0. He also scored on a 77-yard run on the opening play from scrimmage and on a 1-yard run in the third quarter.
Bulldogs quarterback Ryan Colburn was 14 for 14 for 159 yards.