FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Other than Fui Vakapuna's ability to defy the laws of gravity, there wasn't much offensive excitement in Saturday's BYU-Colorado State game.

More on Vakapuna later.

In a game where the BYU offense looked merely mortal, the defense continued to show superhero powers in a 24-3 victory, its sixth win in a row.

Bam!

Colorado State managed only 26 rushing yards and 151 total.

Pow!

BYU harassed CSU quarterback Caleb Hanie all night long and sacked him five times.

Wham!

Colorado State converted only 2-of-12 third downs and its only points came after a short punt gave the Rams the ball at the BYU 44.

One more win for truth, justice and the Cougar Way.

"It was a beautiful thing," BYU junior linebacker Bryan Kehl said. "As a defensive player, how can you complainfi"

BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall isn't complaining.

"This is just one more game where the defense met their goals and did exactly what they were asked," he said. "Our whole game plan is working in concert and that's why we're having success."

BYU (7-2 overall, 5-0 MWC) didn't score on its first offensive possession for the first time in three games, but continues to win the field position battle. Derek McLaughlin's first punt was downed at the CSU 2-yard line, and a three-and-out gave BYU the ball at midfield. A 21-yard pass from John Beck to Zac Collie moved the Cougars to the CSU 11 and two plays later, Manase Tonga barreled in from three yards out for a 7-0 BYU lead.

Colorado State (4-5, 1-4) got its only points of the game in the second quarter, taking over on the BYU 44 after a 17-yard McLaughlin punt. Hanie connected with Damon Morton on a 27-yard pass play to the BYU 17, but the Cougars held and forced a 28-yard Jason Smith field goal with eight minutes to play in the half.

BYU chewed up most of that time on a 14-play, 76-yard drive that ended in Vakapuna's levitation act. On first-and-goal from the CSU 5, Vakapuna leaped over the line of scrimmage and landed on a Ram defender. Vakapuna rolled over the player, powered into the end zone and ran off the field signaling a touchdown as everyone else on the field looked on in confusion.

The play was reviewed by the officials in the replay booth and Vakapuna was awarded a touchdown for 14-3 BYU lead at the half.

"I know my knee or anything else didn't touch the ground," Vakapuna said. "It's just one of those plays where you get lucky, I guess."

The second half was more of the same: BYU's defense shutting down CSU and the Cougar offense taking advantage of the field position. Vakapuna scored his second touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run near the end of the third quarter and Jared McLaughlin kicked a 25-yard field goal in the fourth to end the scoring.

BYU's offense sputtered at times, partly due to Colorado State's defense and partly due to its own mistakes.

"Our defense played well and field position was critical in keeping the points down," Mendenhall said. "The offense was moving the ball, putting up enough points and using the clock."

BYU outgained Colorado State 402 yards to 151, had 21 first downs to CSU's seven and enjoyed a 10-minute advantage in time of possession. Beck failed to throw a touchdown pass, the first time since the opener against Arizona that has happened. He finished 22-of-30 for 290 yards and threw an interception in the end zone to halt a first-half BYU scoring drive. Jonny Harline had six catches for 59 yards and McKay Jacobson hauled in three passes for 105 yards. Curtis Brown added 81 yards rushing on 16 carries.

But it was the defense that earned the adulation of the BYU fans who made the trip to Fort Collins. Senior linebacker Cameron Jensen had nine tackles and two sacks and Matangi Tonga, Hala Paongo and Judd Anderton also had sacks.

"We knew they were a team capable of throwing deep passes but we continued to pressure them throughout the game," Jensen said. "They weren't able to make any big plays through the air."

BYU has a two-game lead in the Mountain West Conference heading into Thursday's meeting with Wyoming, which held off San Diego State 31-24 on Saturday. Colorado State goes to Salt Lake City next Saturday to play Utah.

Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com. Read his blog at blogs.heraldextra.com/darnell.

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This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.