PROVO — BYU junior cornerback Brian Logan experienced both ends of the spectrum in the Cougars' 42-23 win over Colorado State on Saturday.

The 5-foot-6, hard-hitting transfer from Foothill College had three of BYU's biggest defensive plays, which contributed to the Cougars' first two touchdowns and kept the Rams from closing to within a touchdown late in the game.

However, he also could have been the goat had BYU let its 21-0 lead slip away. He was flagged with a three pass-interference penalties, and he got burned twice in the end zone.

"I definitely wasn't consistent in my play," Logan said. "I did some good things and then did some bad things."

On the game's third play from scrimmage, CSU quarterback Grant Stucker threw a tad behind receiver Rashaun Greer, who bobbled the ball. Logan picked it out of the air and raced 20 yards to the Rams' 15-yard line. It was Logan's second interception of his career.

Two plays later, Harvey Unga scored on a four-yard run to give BYU a 7-0 lead.

"Fortunately, I was in the right spot," Logan said.

On the first play of CSU's third possession, Stucker again went to Greer. This time Logan delivered a hard hit that jarred the ball up in the air, where it was snagged by safety Andrew Rich. Two plays later, the Cougars were up 14-0.

Logan said he felt the Rams were going to go over the middle again and cheated some on his assignment.

"Luckily, I got there at the right time and Andrew was right there behind me pursuing," he said. "And it was a good play by Andrew."

On the third play of the fourth quarter, the Rams were trailing 28-14 and had a third-and-eight at BYU's 21. Stucker went to Tyson Liggett on a quick post route, but Logan arrived just as the ball did and knocked the ball loose. The Rams had to settle for a field goal.

"Knowing it was a third down, I just drove. And, fortunately, knocked the ball loose," he said.

Many BYU fans, however, probably overlooked a lot of the good that Logan did. The Rams continually went at him whenever they got inside the red zone. The result was the three first-half interference calls against Logan, and both of CSU's two touchdown passes were to receivers Logan was defending.

With his disadvantage in height, he knows opposing teams are going to target him in the red zone with their taller receivers.

"If I was the other coaching staff I'd do the same thing.... I'm surprised after the last two games that coaches and receivers haven't done it even more," Logan said.

Both Logan and BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall say it's not necessarily Logan's height that's the issue, but his technique. Both says he's devoting too much attention to the receiver, and losing sight of the ball with his back to the play.

"I feel like I'm in the right spot, I just need to play the ball a little better," Logan said.

But even though Logan can work some on his technique and execution, it's hard to find any fault with his effort.

"He certainly was tested, but he battled from beginning to end," Mendenhall said. "There are some guys who are short who play big, and to this point I think he has.

"He just needs to play a little bit better leverage so he can track the ball and time his jumping a little bit better."

e-mail: jimr@desnews.com