By JOHN K. WILEY
Associated Press Writer

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Jason Gesser threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns and Dave Minnich rushed for a touchdown as Washington State beat Idaho, 36-7, Thursday night.

Washington State (1-0), the Pacific-10 Conference visitor in Martin Stadium under a stadium-sharing agreement, rolled to a 20-0 halftime lead and avoided a third consecutive loss to the Vandals (0-1) of the Sun Belt Conference.

Gesser, who completed 15 of 26 attempts before leaving early in the fourth quarter, hit Nakoa McElrath on scoring passes of 5 and 35 yards in the third quarter. McElrath caught 10 passes for 141 yards, both career highs.

Trandon Harvey caught an 18-yard scoring pass from Gesser with three minutes left in the first half to put the Cougars up 20-0. Minnich, who rushed 23 times for 127 yards, scored earlier on a slashing 30 yard run.

The Cougars' defense frustrated Idaho quarterback John Welsh, who completed 12 of 26 attempts for 66 yards.

Idaho was held scoreless until 3:11 remained in the third period, when Chris Lacy caught a 4-yard pass from Welsh.

WSU's Drew Dunning hit field goals of 26, 27 and 32 yards.

Washington State wide receiver Mike Bush dives and makes a catch thrown by Jason Gesser while Idaho's Antjuan Tolbert attempts to block the pass during the third quarter of Thursday's game.