The Lumberjacks came into Saturday's matchup against Idaho State with one goal above all else: stop Tavoy Moore. The junior all-purpose threat came in averaging more than 200 total yards per game and the NAU football team focused much of its energy at stopping him. Consider the mission accomplished.

Moore was held to 70 total yards, 60 of those coming from three kickoffs, and he fumbled on his one punt return.

With the Bengals' home-run threat bottled up, the NAU defense clamped down on Idaho State, holding them to 151 yards of total offense in a 32-7 win in Pocatello, Idaho.

"It was a huge matchup in the game," NAU coach Jerome Souers said. "Moore, who's averaging 30 yards a return and putting up some unbelievable numbers, I thought our coverage teams did a great job managing him.

"(Punter) Drew (Zamora) did a good job of keeping the ball away from the returner and keeping the ball deep (on kickoffs)."

The Bengals (1-3, 0-2 Big Sky Conference) were never able to start a drive with decent field position and their offense often sputtered against the Jacks (2-1, 1-0 Big Sky), who proved too fast to handle. For the third straight game, NAU offered its opposition little room to run by holding Idaho State to 37 rushing yards on 27 attempts.

"They took the battle right at them. I mean, they ran right at us and I thought our kids responded really well," Souers said. "As the game went along, we got stronger and I think our depth really overwhelmed them."

Idaho State rotated quarterbacks Kyle Morris and Russel Hill throughout the game, though neither was able to sustain a drive for points and combined to go 13 of 21 passing for 114 yards, two interceptions and six sacks.

"We were getting pressure on the quarterback so he didn't have time to get the ball to (Moore)," Isaac Bond said. "(We focused on) taking them out, making sure they didn't get anything from the run to help set up third-and-long situations."

Those passing situations helped set up Bond for his first career safety. After downing a punt at the four-yard line, the Bengals found themselves in third and long and Bond came off the line untouched, blew past the running back and blindsided Hill in the end zone.

"It was our first defensive score of the year, so we hope to keep those coming," Bond said.

Safeties Matt Estrada and Taylor Julio were also beneficiaries of the defensive line pressure. The two intercepted passes in or around the end zone to end two of Idaho State's scoring chances.

NAU scored on its opening possession after marching methodically in a no-huddle offense, taking 12 plays to move 67 yards but coming up just short of the end zone. On third down, Michael Herrick connected with wide receiver Austin Shanks, who was tackled on the two-yard line. Matt Myers kicked a short field goal to give the Jacks a 3-0 lead.

Two possessions later, Herrick connected with receiver Mike Czyz on a 25-yard touchdown to go up 10-0.

Bond's safety made the score 12-0 and NAU got to the 10-yard line on its ensuing possession but had to settle for a field goal again and led 15-0 at the half.

Freshman running back Zach Bauman scored on a three-yard run to open the third quarter and finished with 112 yards on 21 carries. Senior tight end Nick Larson caught his first collegiate touchdown on the next drive to give the Jacks a 29-0 lead.

Idaho State managed to score in the final three minutes after forcing a fumble from NAU backup quarterback Chasen Stangel.

The NAU offense managed to move the ball consistently -- gaining 369 yards -- but often stalled in the red zone. If there was anything to be critical of in the win, it was finishing drives.

"I thought we left some points on the board," Herrick said in a radio interview. He finished the game with 209 yards on 21-of-36 passing with two touchdowns.

Still, despite the hiccups, there's progress being made through three games.

"Offensively, we were more consistent and ran the ball well, threw the ball well when we needed to," Souers said. "We still need to be more efficient and consistent but it's definitely an improvement.

"When you look around on offense, defense and the kicking game, the improvement in all three phases showed up today."

Jacob May can be reached at jmay@azdailysun.com or 556-2257.